Arsenal 0 West Ham 0
A fast Russian wind swept across the Emirates on Saturday. Most Arsenal fans – even those who think money is better spent on a midfield minder and central defender, hope Andrei Arshavin arrives on it.
In the words of Thoreau, there’s a ‘quiet desperation’ about The Emirates these days.
One ANR reader says it has the same end of Empire vibe as the last season of George Graham.
The reason lead assist-master and recent goal-scorer was left on the bench – was Wenger’s fear that the Dutchman would be injured or suspended.
They say the manager know the players better than anyone. And when van Persie is tired, in the past he has picked up injuries. Wenger may also may be signalling that the FA Cup represents the most realistic chance of silverware this season. And the trophyless Emirates needs silverware badly.
West Ham are deceptively good these days. Two months ago they were amongst a lot of people’s relegation favourites. Now Zola and Steve Clarke have fashioned an effective unit – tight in defence, crisp in the tackle and passing in the West Ham tradition.
Arsenal dominated the possession to such an extent, the east-Londoners only had two attacks to speak of. Yet for all Arsenal’s passing and possession, there was no end product.
Adebayor had three chances [one short of Myles’ assertion that he needs four to have a good chance of scoring.]
An early Clichy cross and ex-Arsenal defender Upson effectively blocked Adebayor’s effort.
Soon after a Nasri corner met by Diaby skimmed off the bar via Collins’ head.
Eboue had an incident prone cameo – making some penetrative runs, taking a couple of shots – wide getting a couple of fouls and then going off injured.
Vela on in his place on 36, lit up proceedings with a mazy run into the box, ending with a corner.
At the end of the first half a goalwards header from Collins saw Clichy head away from danger.
In the second, a goalmouth scramble saw a clever Toure overhead kick cleared by Collins off the line.
The best chance of the match fashioned from a Bendtner – Nasri – Sagna breakaway down the right. An in-form striker would most probably have scored from the angled pass. But Adebayor, some would say hasn’t been in form for a while and the cynics since his £80,000/week contract, sent it wide of Green and the post.
Another good chance fell to him soon after from a Vela cross but he headed straight at Green.
Thoughts turned to the game a couple of seasons back, where West Ham under constant bombardment sneaked a 0-1 win.
Almunia, who must have been cold with very little to do in the biting East wind, threw the ball straight to Collinson who shifted it Cole, whose tame shot was straight at the Spaniard.
Van Persie, on on 68, had one final effort twisting in the area but the effort – like Arsenal’s collective ambition, was off target.
This was the first ever 0-0 draw in 50 Premiership games at The Emirates.
Arsenal, whose late goals have gained points, but masked underlying deficiencies just couldn’t penetrate the claret and blue blanket.
ARSENAL: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Vela 36), Diaby (Song 90), Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor, Bendtner (Van Persie 68). Subs not used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Djourou, Gibbs.
WEST HAM: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble (Nsereko 70), Collison, Cole, Di Michele (Boa Morte 83). Subs not used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Spector, Tristan, Sears.
Referee: Steve Bennett