EPL: Arsenal v West Ham United
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Arsenal v West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
UK time: 3pm -
League Table:
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a win would be a great way to start the New Year!
Score: 2 - 1 -
Since its at home i'll go for a 3-1 win.
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2-1...
Error: Message must be at least 8 characters long. -
Go Go Gunners!
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Hope they not like ManU, anyway this home ground.
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West Ham will be looking to claim their second big scalp of the festive season when they tackle Arsenal on New Year's Day.
The Hammers upset Premier League champions Manchester United on Saturday to consolidate their position in the top half of the table.
They are also the only side to have beaten Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League, winning 1-0 last April on their way to a miraculous escape from the bottom three.
The Gunners will be keen to set the record straight and go into the game in confident mood after a 4-1 victory over Everton that lifted them back to the top of the league.
Flexible
The clash at Goodison Park was notable for the way Arsenal altered their approach and played in a more direct fashion, and Arsene Wenger has admitted he is prepared to be flexible.
Whether that means Arsenal play in the same manner against West Ham remains to be seen, but Wenger may be loath to leave out Eduardo da Silva following his match-winning turn.
Nicklas Bendtner is suspended so Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to come back in, while there could also be changes in midfield.
Tomas Rosicky will hope to start after scoring as a substitute in the final minute at Everton.
Injury concerns for Curbishley
Alan Curbishley has a number of injury worries after midfielders Nolberto Solano (hamstring) and Scott Parker (knee) both had to be taken off against Manchester United.
Former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg is also struggling with a hamstring problem and may not be able to feature.
The Hammers are already without a whole team of injured players, including Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Bobby Zamora.
Julien Faubert, Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer are all back in training but Curbishley has hinted they will not return until the weekend at the earliest. -
arsenal go go go
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Ljung bursting to upset old pals
FREDDIE LJUNGBERG is eager to put the boot in on ArsenalÂ’s title bid when he returns to the Emirates for the first time today. The West Ham midfielder, 30, won a stack of silverware in his nine years with the Gunners.
Yet he admits he would be delighted to make it an unhappy New Year for his old boss Arsene Wenger. Ljungberg signed a three-year deal at Upton Park in July only to be hit by a string of niggling injuries. But he played a major part in the HammersÂ’ shock 2-1 win over ArsenalÂ’s title rivals Manchester United on Saturday that helped his ex-team open up a two-point gap at the top of the table.
Ljungberg said: “If we go in like we did against United, we can rattle anyone. “We showed we have good technique and that we can win games. Going back to Arsenal will be weird and emotional. I was there nine years and have a lot of friends still there. “I shared great memories with them and it’s going to be very special. But for 90 minutes I have to forget about it and play my best.”
Ljungberg could have still been at the Emirates and revealed: “Arsene wanted me to stay but I needed a new challenge. The only question was whether I went to Spain, Italy or stayed in London. “I’m getting better and better now at West Ham but I have a slight hamstring problem I’m hoping won’t keep me out of the Arsenal game — I don’t want to miss that!
“Against Man U I felt great, we kept the ball on the floor and that’s when I can do my most damage. “When it’s long ball and stuff I can’t really do much. “We’re taking the confidence gained in the win over United with us to Arsenal.” And the Swedish star was quick to hail the role of Wenger in his evolution as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders.
He said: “Wenger developed a lot of my game. I was a player who played behind the striker when I came and he changed me into a winger. “He always gave us confidence. We never thought about the opposition, we just played our game knowing we were the better team.”
Arguably the biggest result in West Ham’s great escape from relegation last year came at the Emirates. They sneaked a 1-0 win thanks to a Bobby Zamora goal — and a wonder show from keeper Robert Green. And West Ham boss Alan Curbishley reckons Green can become England’s No 1.
He said: “I know he was disappointed not being in the last squad. But if it’s a clean slate — as I’m sure it will be with the new England manager — then Robert has got to be in the frame. “Every game is looked at and reports go to the England boss. So Robert has a very good chance.” -
i heard tonight Ade with Edu up front
4-4-2 !!! -
like finally?!
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Almunia
hoyte toure gallas clichy
eboue flamini fabregas rosicky
eduardo adebayor -
first minute Eduardo scores
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beautiful goal by ade
from an impossible angle -
adebayor!
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Looking good!
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Why in the world Ade wan to be Solo Kia and Dun wan to pass when there are two arsenal player in the box !!!
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eboue
u sux... -
Cant understand why he is picked over Hleb ...Originally posted by pierre^^:eboue
u sux... -
He has all the time to chest down the ball and shoot, yet he go attempt a lame headerOriginally posted by Trump_Card:Cant understand why he is picked over Hleb ...
and when he is clear to shoot, he shoot at the defender instead -
eboue always kana sub out
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good win for us,a good new year for arsenal. Top of the table!
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Too bad Manure and Chelski won , otherwise could've extended our leadOriginally posted by felirox:good win for us,a good new year for arsenal. Top of the table! -
arsenal had ham for breakfast