Gunners To Take On The Hammers

After a little blip at Alkmaar owing to lack of concentration and complacency in play, Arsenal move back to their bread and butter that is the Premier league to contest the first of two London derbies against a good home side in West Ham.  They have always given us tough games at Upton Park, and I see this match as no different, even with Zola at the helm. 

Rosicky and Bendtner just might be able to make it on Sunday.  Nasri will still be missing, and Fabianski may be back.  Long term absentees are not due back.  Otherwise there are thankfully no injuries from Alkmaar. 

I expect the team that played against Alkmaar to repeat with the only exception of Rosicky coming back if fit.  In this game we should initially sit back a little and gauge their tactics before going on the offensive.  Zola likes open football, but with relegation looming large he might go for stifling tactics.  This is a must win game for us, and I hope the players realize that and play a high tempo game. 

West Ham are in a bit of scrap right now, but they always raise their game against the big sides.  Our defense will have a hard time in dealing with Cole.  They are good on set pieces, so that is a threat as well.  All said we are a bigger attacking threat and we should win if we play to our potential. 

The Arena

The match is scheduled at Boleyn Ground, colloquially referred to as Upton Park.  Upton park opened in 1904 and has a capacity of 35,303.

Possible Team Gunners

Very Big game..an away fixture, playing at Upton Park is not easy.  Hammers are very good at set-pieces.  Carlton Cole is a major threat. 
Since ManU/Liv will drop points, this week its a must win game for us. 
I guess Almunia will be back in goal.  I want Eboue to start ahead of Sagna but this being an away fixture, Wenger will be tempted to play Sagna because he is good defensively. 

Goalkeeper:  Almunia

Defenders: Sagna, Clichy, Gallas, Vermolean

Mid-Fielders: Fabregas, Diaby, Song, Arshavin, Rosicky

Forward: RVP

Formation: 

------------------------ Almunia------------------------

---------sagna-------gallas-------tv-------clichy----

--------------------------Song-------------------------

------------------Cesc------------Diaby---------------

---------Rosicky----------RVP-------------Arshavin---- 

My Predictions

I think we'll win 2-0, with RVP and Arshavin scoring.