West Ham United (0) 0 - 0 (0) Arsenal
Boleyn Ground, Saturday 24th September 2005
FA Premiership
Arsenal:
Lehmann
Lauren Toure Campbell Cole
Ljungberg Gilberto (Flamini 71) Fabregas Hleb
van Persie (Clichy 82) Reyes (Quincy 73)
An away draw against an in-form team is not a terrible
result, however much the media or fans of other clubs
might try to tell us that this is embarassing. It's our
first away point of the season. What's not good though is
that it was a pretty lacklustre performance by Arsenal,
and that we suffered what could turn out to be a key injury.
We had a couple of early half chances through van Persie,
the second of which came after a good passing move, and
Freddie Ljungberg beating Konchesky for pac. But when Freddie's
pass found van Persie he didn't really connect with it and
the soft shot was easy for Roy Carroll in the Irons' goal.
Up the other end, they showed their threat early on when Benayoun
beat Ashley Cole a bit too easily and put over a dangerous cross.
Gilberto headed it clear, but Lauren could have been lucky
not to get penalised for obstructing Harewood's run into
the danger area.
Sherignham took a free kick from 20 yards out which he
shaped to hit over the wall only to play it round the near
side of the wall. Lehmann was left motionless as it passed
just a foot wide of the post.
Konchesky had to make a great tackle on Reyes on the edge
of the box. Haerwood threatened to break clear a few times
but Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure were playing the offside trap with
a bit more nous than when Cygan's there.
Fabregas got a kind of shot in, but Gabbidon made a challenge
as Cesc drew his foot back and it skewed well wide.
Lehmann was kicking poorly, hitting a couple of relatively
easy clearances straight into the stands.
Sheringham came closeish again with a shot from outside
the box which was deflected out off a defender only for
a goal kick to be given our way.
Van Persie hit a shot over the bar from 15 yards after great setting
up by Freddie and Reyes (a very cute touch from the latter).
Right at the end of the first half, Cole's handball on the edge
of the box wasn't seen.
The first half had been pretty even but West Ham got the better
of the second. A decent Benayoun shot was saved by Lehmann just under the
crossbar. Then Harewood turned a defender to beat the offside trap and Lehmann
had to rush out of his box, in fact he handled the ball outside
his box. Everyone was expecting the red card but it turned out
the ref had already blown his whistle for something. No-one seems
very clear about what it was for so that was a pretty big escape for
Arsenal. Shortly after, Lehmann had to come out of his area bravely again,
this time he headed the ball clear and Lauren had positioned himself well
to receive it.
Reo Coker played a ball goalwards which hit Sol on the arm as he jumped with
arms raised. It looked a very strong case for a penalty and was
the last straw for the frustrated Sheringham who was soon involved in a
bit of pushing with Fabregas, and getting himself booked.
Gilberto had to hobble off with 20 minutes to go, Flamini coming on.
And a couplke of minutes later Quincy came on for Reyes. I imagine
that Wenger's thinking Quincy might well be the man for Tuesday, if
Bergkamp's not fit. He did ok again, plenty of energy and good running
of the sort that can scare defenders.
A few minutes later, Gael Clichy came on for van Persie, with Freddie moving
up front alongside Quincy (again, probably trying things out before
Tuesday with Freddie being the midfielder most likely to be played
up front is required).
Cesc hit a shot wide, then up the other end Reo Coker got a shot in
but from a very narrow angle thatmade it a fairly easy save for Lehmann.
Zamora came on for Sheringham and headed wide with 7
minutes to go after good approach play. After that moment, Arsenal came
good for the last few minutes. Freddie messed up the best chance of
the game when his trademark run into the box coincided perfectly
with the ball through the defence. He received it near the
penalty spot but his first touch was dreadful and just played it
on to the keeper. It would have been wonderful to nick this one at
the death, but on the balance of play one can't really complain about a draw. If West Ham can keep this up, they could be looking at better than just mid-table. But there's a long way to go, and if you know any cocky cockneys then this is probably the time to get them to make a bet with you on whether Arsenal will finish above them at the end of the season.
The really bad news is the injury to Gilberto. It's still unclear how bad it is but I had to admit to feeling rather guilty at having said a few times that he's the one player we can't do without this season. Let's hope I was wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. | 
