West Ham vs Arsenal Preview

Top of the morning to yall

Our second London Derby of the season takes us to West Ham United at Upton Park this evening. After securing promotion back to the top flight a season after going down, West Ham have had a good start to their season as the sit currently in 7^th place, one spot above us on the EPL table.

As typical of any team managed by the Michelin Man, they play those long balls into the box where the striker can knock down for advance midfielders like Kevin Nolan running into the box to take a swipe at goal. It was no surprise to me when they landed the Liverpool misfit on loan and despite being hampered by injuries early in the season, he has found good form when he plays and our centre backs must be on their toes with him, a situation that Vermaelen testifies to

"He suits their way of playing at the moment. At West Ham they play some long balls and with Carroll up front, he’s a tall guy. He’s good with his head so he will be a big challenge.

He couldn’t be further from the truth. On his day, Caroll could be a real handful and I remember that game when he was at Newcastle at the Emirates where his solitary header decided proceedings. That's how efficient he can be on his day and Vermaelen should know that his cavalier runs into opposition territory could cost us again and as such should be careful.

All the talk this morning has been about the Vermaelen-Caroll duel but I think a more interesting duel in the game will be Matt Jarvis and Jenkinson. While we are all aware of the leaps that Jenko has made since the start of the season, Jarvis is a player that could also cause a lot of problems for the defence with his pace and trickery and our full backs would have to be very aware.

Having Mertesacker play would be crucial for victory in tonight’s game. The BFG missed the mid-week victory against Olympiakos and the boss said yesterday that he might play. I think he will play, his height, composure, calmness and maturity would be crucial in dealing with the long balls and crosses that would be punted into the box.

Arsene Wenger thinks Gervinho could make the transition to centre forward just like Van Persie and Henry, hear him:

The thinking was to use well his quality of movement and his pace,” Wenger said. “But of course you have to overcome a little bit of an obstacle that he doesn’t correspond well to the traditional image you have of a central striker.
“

I did that [changed position] with Robin van Persie. He was more a technical player, it was not obvious to put him as the central striker.

I did it with Thierry Henry, I did it now with Gervinho and I think I will do it as well with Walcott.

I think that leaves him with a little bit of a dilemma. While its safe to say that its been working well so far as the Ivorian has gotten 5 goals so far while he got 4 throughout last term, I think he needs to give Giroud a prolonged period of games to find his form. It does seem that he is still experimenting with his first 11. Giroud is misfiring and he opts to try Gervinho that seems to be working out so while he doesn't want to change a winning formular, he wants to give the less versatile Giroud game time as well.

Like I said, Giroud needs game time, a prolonged period of games. The Gervinho option should be a sort of plan B for now as we need Giroud to get games, score and gain his confidence. I have no doubt in his abilities, he just needs to play and the more Wenger uses Gervinho as a striker, the more Giroud is limited.

Giroud: Needs to play more

One can argue that as long as the team is winning, its all good, but we need to have as many options as possible and Gervinho in my opinion has proven that he can make that transition.

I don’t expect much changes from the mid-week game, but I do expect Mertesacker and Giroud to start and my chakra is getting some good vibes about Olivier this morning. So for all you betting people, u would do well by betting on Giroud to score today, I just got a strong haunch. But don’t call me if u lose your money though.

I suggest the line-up could be

Mannone – Jenkinson – Mertesacker – Vermaelen – Gibbs – Arteta – Ramsey – Cazorla (pronounced Cathola) – Gervinho –Podolski – Giroud.

West Ham inflicted our first EPL defeat at the Emirates while being managed by Alan Pardew and they also defeated us home and away that year, so for that, I don’t like them one bit. That the game is another London derby will make it a little feistier so it should be a good game to watch. I expect victory though, although we might have to dig deep again just like on Wednesday.

That's all for now folks, be right back next week after celebrating victory and anticipating another interlull –aarrghhhh- if you have enjoyed reading, please share with you friends on Facebook and Twitter and follow @NigerianGunners as well.

God bless the Arsenal, Iree o