Arsenal v West Ham - 13:30 Sun 9th Aug

[yellow]

Atrocious defending for the second goal too. Four Arsenal players stood close by, all of whom stood and allowed the shot.

Still, it's only one game.

 

[Anon]

Did make me laugh in the build up. The nonsense spoken by Sky's 'experts' about our formation and selection when anyone with half an interest in West Ham would know Tomkins was gonna be RB for the day with no Jenkinson, and that given Oxford had been playing in midfield in some Europa games it wasn't a surprise that we were gonna pack central midfield with him Noble and Kouyate too.

Glad to see Bilic stick it up those pundits arses about how we were stupid to sack Allardyce (when he wasn't sacked) and that we wanted Barcelona football and results (we don't) and that how we'd regret it (we don't), maybe they'll realise that he might actually know what he's doing or at least be given to chance to do so. Hearing fans sing "Are you watching Allardyce?" raised chuckle too.

Maybe a big over-reaction to only one game but sod it, the pessimism of the last 4 years has gone, Kevin fucking Nolan is a sub, youth is given a chance, we were enjoyable to watch, and a player frozen out by Allardyce scores the second goal in an opening day win at Arsenal. Love it. Up the Bilic era.

 

[HarvSFC]

And West Ham are going strong in Europe!

 

[Ginola14]

Only watch if you want a headache...

 

[Pagnell]

Same old Arsenal.

 

[JimJams]

How can any of those guys laugh at a Man Utd fan? They're far more successful. 2 FA cups hasn't changed that. And how can the guy say people can't talk about history when he was the guy that brought up the invincibles season.
You can laugh at him if he's a glory supporter, that's about it.

 

[Stocky]

Arsenal really do produce a special breed of weirdo. It's not a minority is it?

Their fans are freaks to man. Look at the state of some of the ones on here.

 

[mistermagic]

Did make me laugh in the build up. The nonsense spoken by Sky's 'experts' about our formation and selection when anyone with half an interest in West Ham would know Tomkins was gonna be RB for the day with no Jenkinson, and that given Oxford had been playing in midfield in some Europa games it wasn't a surprise that we were gonna pack central midfield with him Noble and Kouyate too.

Glad to see Bilic stick it up those pundits arses about how we were stupid to sack Allardyce (when he wasn't sacked) and that we wanted Barcelona football and results (we don't) and that how we'd regret it (we don't), maybe they'll realise that he might actually know what he's doing or at least be given to chance to do so. Hearing fans sing "Are you watching Allardyce?" raised chuckle too.

Maybe a big over-reaction to only one game but sod it, the pessimism of the last 4 years has gone, Kevin fucking Nolan is a sub, youth is given a chance, we were enjoyable to watch, and a player frozen out by Allardyce scores the second goal in an opening day win at Arsenal. Love it. Up the Bilic era.

To be fair, you played very much à la Allardyce today.

 

[JimJams]

Not really sure why you'd taunt Allardyce either. There some resentment there?

 

[mistermagic]

I don't get it either. West Ham played superb football last season.

 

[Avatar]

Yep. Arsenal were basically nullified by West Ham defensive attitude strongly marshalled by Oxford just in front of the back 4. Kouyaté also had a good game. Arsenal's big problem was penetration. Ramsey looked invisible, Coquelin was making stupid Hollywood passes (there's only one Charlie Adam) and Cazorla was being played out of position. I think this is probably the first time that I question Wenger's team selection. I know Sanchez had zero rest this summer but put a winger on the wing not Cazorla or even worse Ramsey. I wouldn't mind sticking Gibbs there. Could have worked especially against a make-shift RB like Tomkins.

Actually I agree about the team selection. I dont normally hate on his selection but I felt he was trying to accommodate too many players. In the end, cazorla and coquelin are our best central midfielders. Ramsey either plays and pushes cazorla in the 10, or goes wide.ozil should either play at 10 or nothing. Cazorla out wide is probably the worst situation in my humble opinion. I think he'll play Ramsey out wide against palace and revert back to santi centrally.

 

[Anon]

Not really sure why you'd taunt Allardyce either. There some resentment there?

A massive amount of resentment. We could be better, we could be worse, but it'll be a fuck load more fun either way. It'll take some getting used to.

To be fair, you played very much à la Allardyce today.

I don't get it either. West Ham played superb football last season.

Not in 2015 we didn't, we had relegation form (genuinely, not just making a point, 3 wins in 19 games and playing badly throughout) in the second half which was so disappointing given how good we were earlier in that season - at that point I couldn't have begrudging him wanting to stay on and a contract being offered. As for today's tactics I can't explain it, but it felt massively different - not to mention that wouldn't have been a line-up he'd have put out.

 

[claret50]

What a way to start a Monday morning, breakfast never tasted so good!! well done you Irrrrooooooonnnnnnsssss

Edit. I have a link to the full game if anyone would like it.

 

[SALTIRE]

Ty was bound to get a slap sooner or later because he's an insulting little shit.

Small man with a big mouth. They all need a slap now and again.

 

[claret50]

Having now watched the game it was a pleasure seeing football being played on the floor again after having to endure fat Sam's hoof ball methods!

 

[BlueBee]

I love Petr but it was awful funny watching them goals go in. I'm sure I told you gooners how poor he is at his near post....it's always been a massive flaw in his game.

Booing after 1 game too....I'm not surprised at all. The entire fan base is odd.

 

[Whitechapel]

Trying too hard, can make you an ineffective wum BB. You had real potential a few months back, you even irked me a couple of times.

I avoided this thread after the first goal went in, we were pants, and West Ham were fantastic. With so many new players AND a new manager I never expected it. If they keep it up, they might be able to give the Europa chance next season in place of Spurs/Man Utd/Liverpool.

 

[BlueBee]

I'm not even trying to wind Arsenal fans up, I'm deadly honest about the whole near post thing.

I think even you know the majority of your fan base is a sandwich short of a picnic.

 

[SC49]

Unbelievable. I still haven't watched the highlights because I was working all yesterday but I caught the Cech mistake for the first goal on Twitter. The fuck was that?

I know it's only one game but that result is depressing. Our squad is good enough to challenge Chelsea for the league this season, but there's two things we had to address if we actually stand a chance of doing it. 1) Injuries. The season has only just started and Bellerin, Welbeck, Rosicky and Wilshere are already injured. 2) Our start to the season. We always start poorly, that's one of our biggest question marks. We really needed a good performance and all three points against West Ham, and we produced neither.

 

[Posh Hammer]

Payet was sensational.

That's all I have to say on this game.

 

[SALTIRE]

Payet was sensational.

That's all I have to say on this game.

Yeah he looks a player.

 

[Jackinky]

i think he'll carry our team this season, him and Zarate are going to be quality players.

 

[Anon]

i think he'll carry our team this season, him and Zarate are going to be quality players.

I'm still not completely sold on Zarate, but I'm glad he's been brought in from the cold and while he requires carrying from time to time, if he can conjure up enough bursts of form to make it worthwhile, he'll be worth it.

 

[JimJams]

Yeah I wouldn't expect much from the Argie, he's ultimately disappointed wherever he's been. Sometimes gets off to a bright start though, but it doesn't seem to last. Had Cech not played a stinker would anyone mention his performance on the day? I didn't think he was particularly impressive. He did alright but he didn't stand out.

 

[thespus]

Deliberately avoided the web for a day so that the result wouldn't be ruined for me before I could get home and watch the recording.

I wish someone had ruined it for me first

Everyone was shite. Ramsey is doing what he did at times last season; overplaying and trying to force things. It's discouraging, but we shit the bed at Villa in a similar manner two seasons ago and went on to lead the league for a few months. Hopefully Wenger gave them a bollicking.

Payet, Reid, and Ogbonna were all class. West Ham, and the rest of the mid-table sides, are getting stronger. I don't think results like this and the Chelsea - Swansea game are going to be anomalies this season. I doubt the league champion gets to 85 points.

 

[Posh Hammer]

For me also, Winston Reid is turning into a top quality centre back and Ogbonna is a superb signing for a team like West Ham. He could have gone to a top 4 club in any European league. In fact, he could have been a steal for Arsenal to replace Mertesacker.