Garry, a central defender or left-back played left wing (has Thomas gone out on loan or is he injured?) with Sidwell, Bentley and Pennant in the midfield and Jeffers, making his comeback partnered Aliadiere in attack.
The defence definitely seemed a yard or two off the pace. West Ham kept knocking balls over the top for their quick forward, Youssef Sofiane, to latch onto. Playing high up the pitch, a goal duly came from this move inside ten minutes.
Most of our play came down the left in the opening twenty minutes. I was quite surprised with Garry's attacking abilities considering I've never seen him play anywhere but at the back, but the goal was made from a source familiar to a wide position. Hardly in the game until then, Pennant ran at the full back cutting inside and laying a neat pass for Aliadiere to slot coolly under Raimond Van Der Gouw.
Both sides could have taken the lead before halftime but poor finishing and good keeping kept it level. Jeffers had a tap in ruled offside after a good run and cross from Garry. Pennant laid a similar ball to the one that led to Arsenal's opener but Jeffers hit it straight at the keeper. West Ham should have taken the lead before halftime. Upson and Tavlaridis were again caught with a ball over the top to Camara. His lay back found Courtois, I think, who had a shot at an open goal after Taylor moved off his line to cover what he and many others believed to be a shot from Camara. Courtois powerful shot was heading into an empty net until Taylor, recovering from his previous position, dived and raised an arm to pull of a superb save.
The game was quite lively throughout. Pennant gave Arsenal the lead on sixty. Jeffers turned on the edge of the box to try to work an opening. There was no way through but the ball fell kindly to Bentley who's shot from outside the box fumbled it's way to Pennant and he finished with ease. West Ham's equaliser was awarded to Glenn Johnson. Confusion in the Arsenal defence and failing to clear the ball from a free kick led to an easy finish for West Ham. Late in the game, Arsenal thought they had wrapped up the points after Paulinho curled a low free kick from the left corner of the 18yrd box into the far corner.
The game clearly showed that most players were not match fit. The players need time to find form and consistency, but here goes:
Taylor: One outstanding save and came off his line quite well. Didn't come out for crosses and corners much which was a surprise considering his height.
Juan: Quiet game, didn't go forward much. West Ham targeted his height but he coped well.
Upson: Seemed off the pace, lack of sharpness. Coped well in the air but was outwitted by Sofiane a few times.
Tavlaridis: Same as Upson.
Bailey: Quiet game.
Garry: Out of position and did himself no harm. Made a few good attacking runs in the second half.
Sidwell: Choosing to stay with Arsenal reserves rather than Beveren's he had a pretty poor game by his standards. Probably needs to settle down again.
Bentley: Usually plays as a withdrawn striker but played in midfield against West Ham. Made some important tackles which adds something new to his game. Moved upfront with Jeffers when Pennant was substituted.
Pennant: Quiet for the first twenty minutes as all the play came down the left. Created the opening and was involved in most attacks until substituted.
Aliadiere: Full of confidence at the moment. Took his chance well. Substituted on the hour without appearing to be injured so he'll probably be on the bench on Saturday. A slight possibility that he'll start on Saturday if the Bergkamp and Wiltord injuries rumours are true.
Jeffers: First game back and it showed. Not surprisingly off the pace and his first touch a little sloppy. Needs time.
Hoyte: On for Aliadiere. Pennant moved upfront and Hoyte, a defender played right wing and didn't looked lost playing there.
Paulihno: Came on for Pennant. Bentley moved up with Jeffers with Paulinho in the centre. Disallowed goal.
The defence definitely seemed a yard or two off the pace. West Ham kept knocking balls over the top for their quick forward, Youssef Sofiane, to latch onto. Playing high up the pitch, a goal duly came from this move inside ten minutes.
Most of our play came down the left in the opening twenty minutes. I was quite surprised with Garry's attacking abilities considering I've never seen him play anywhere but at the back, but the goal was made from a source familiar to a wide position. Hardly in the game until then, Pennant ran at the full back cutting inside and laying a neat pass for Aliadiere to slot coolly under Raimond Van Der Gouw.
Both sides could have taken the lead before halftime but poor finishing and good keeping kept it level. Jeffers had a tap in ruled offside after a good run and cross from Garry. Pennant laid a similar ball to the one that led to Arsenal's opener but Jeffers hit it straight at the keeper. West Ham should have taken the lead before halftime. Upson and Tavlaridis were again caught with a ball over the top to Camara. His lay back found Courtois, I think, who had a shot at an open goal after Taylor moved off his line to cover what he and many others believed to be a shot from Camara. Courtois powerful shot was heading into an empty net until Taylor, recovering from his previous position, dived and raised an arm to pull of a superb save.
The game was quite lively throughout. Pennant gave Arsenal the lead on sixty. Jeffers turned on the edge of the box to try to work an opening. There was no way through but the ball fell kindly to Bentley who's shot from outside the box fumbled it's way to Pennant and he finished with ease. West Ham's equaliser was awarded to Glenn Johnson. Confusion in the Arsenal defence and failing to clear the ball from a free kick led to an easy finish for West Ham. Late in the game, Arsenal thought they had wrapped up the points after Paulinho curled a low free kick from the left corner of the 18yrd box into the far corner.
The game clearly showed that most players were not match fit. The players need time to find form and consistency, but here goes:
Taylor: One outstanding save and came off his line quite well. Didn't come out for crosses and corners much which was a surprise considering his height.
Juan: Quiet game, didn't go forward much. West Ham targeted his height but he coped well.
Upson: Seemed off the pace, lack of sharpness. Coped well in the air but was outwitted by Sofiane a few times.
Tavlaridis: Same as Upson.
Bailey: Quiet game.
Garry: Out of position and did himself no harm. Made a few good attacking runs in the second half.
Sidwell: Choosing to stay with Arsenal reserves rather than Beveren's he had a pretty poor game by his standards. Probably needs to settle down again.
Bentley: Usually plays as a withdrawn striker but played in midfield against West Ham. Made some important tackles which adds something new to his game. Moved upfront with Jeffers when Pennant was substituted.
Pennant: Quiet for the first twenty minutes as all the play came down the left. Created the opening and was involved in most attacks until substituted.
Aliadiere: Full of confidence at the moment. Took his chance well. Substituted on the hour without appearing to be injured so he'll probably be on the bench on Saturday. A slight possibility that he'll start on Saturday if the Bergkamp and Wiltord injuries rumours are true.
Jeffers: First game back and it showed. Not surprisingly off the pace and his first touch a little sloppy. Needs time.
Hoyte: On for Aliadiere. Pennant moved upfront and Hoyte, a defender played right wing and didn't looked lost playing there.
Paulihno: Came on for Pennant. Bentley moved up with Jeffers with Paulinho in the centre. Disallowed goal.