Half-time report

Not easy. It’s been a great half of football, very physical and with both goalkeepers doing exceptionally well as we go at half-time with the score tied at 0-0.

It was a very fast start from the initial seconds with Walcott making his way through the West Ham defence, but his effort was easily saved by Green. In the 9th minute, Italy’s Di Michele produced a fine first-time long range effort to which Almunya had to dive to punch into a corner. Minutes later, Cesc’s lovely ball finds Bendtner who does well to create space but his effort goes wide.

In the 19th minute, Arsenal’s best chance. Theo out-runs the West Ham backline, makes his way into the penalty area but his effort is tipped onto the bar by Green. In the 25th minute, Arsenal’s most well-constructed opportunity: Cesc to Van Persie who chests it down to Walcott whose shot is saved by Green into a corner.

West Ham’s best opportunity came into the 28th minute. A terrific counter attack saw Bellamy beating Silvestre in speed, making his way into the penalty area but his low shot was saved by Almunia with his foot, a half-saving save! In the 36th minute, it was Green again. Nicklas did everything right from the right-hand side but his effort was yet again saved by the West Ham number 1 into a corner.

It was a half where the referee had to make two big decisions and they both went against us. In the early minutes, Van Persie was tripped down in the penalty area by Upson and in the 23rd, Green clearly caught the ball outside the penalty area to stop Bendtner. In both cases, the referee just waved play on.

At half time, Arsenal made no changes.

Line-ups
Surprise change from Wenger for this afternoon’s match away at West Ham, with Nicklas Bendtner replacing Emmanuel Adebayor as Gallas makes his backline return. This surely comes as a suprise, but why not Vela? Diaby, Toure and Sagna are all on the bench whilst Song moves in midfield, replacing Denilson, who finally gets some time on the bench.

Anyway, with Manchester United dropping points yesterday and Chelsea losing their home record against Liverpool, this is a golden opportunity for us Gunners. Also, someone should nicely remind Scolari that you need more than just money to become “the new invincibles”.

West Ham United

Green, Faubert, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Mullins, Parker, Bowyer, Bellamy, Di Michele, Cole

Subs: Lastuvka, Lopez, Davenport, Collison, Etherington, Boa Morte, Sears

Arsenal

Almunia, Song, Gallas, Silvestre, Clichy, Fabregas, Nasri, Eboue, Walcott, Van Persie, Bendtner

Subs: Fabianski, Diaby, Sagna, Toure, Ramsey, Djourou, Adebayor