West Ham United v Arsenal - Player Ratings

Last updated : 02 October 2007 By Luis Anaconda

Still thankfully Alex Hleb is all right after merely having his leg almost split in two by the "committed" Mark Noble. If someone can explain to me how in God's name these three offences be punished in exactly the same way in any civilised sport (by which I mean not rugby) I would be amazed. If anything Noble pointing that he got the ball when he was about as close as Spurs are to fourth spot was as much disreputable behaviour as the card-waving or kicking the ball away. Anyway we won and Robin scored with his head. That is all.

Manuel Almunia - 7 - Didn't really do anything wrong, but I can't help feeling as first choice No1 he is as convincing as his hair colour is natural.

Bacary Sagna - 8 - A full back who goes up for corners - it's like having Viv Anderson back. Another good game and one of the few players to get up again after a Matty special.

Kolo Toure - 7 - Was troubled by Ashton in the air at times but reined his attacking instincts to be our captain sensible.

Philippe Senderos - 8 - Speaking of happy talk, those who suggested Big Phil needs games to get up to scratch were vindicated as he gave his best performance of the season. With his luck Gallas will probably remember we pay him to be a footballer and get fit.

Gael Clichy - 7 - Consistent as normal but still lacking a little something in the final third.

Alexander Hleb - 7 - Excellent ball for the goal but his participation was cut short by the sort of steely tackle for which this country's midfield players are famed. Odd how the same people who laud this behaviour wonder why England never seem to produce players like Hleb.

Mathieu Flamini - 8 - Avoiding hypocrisy, I have to say that our little bundle of Corsican malevolence was treading a very fine line with some of his tackling, but you can't deny he has made an impact this season. Leave Bacary alone though.

Cesc Fabregas - 6 - Not at his creative best, but it was good to hear Alan Curbishley praise his all-round effort. Not just a pretty face.

Abou Diaby - 7 - Hardly a pretty face at all but pretty effective for all the carping about him being played out wide.

Emmanuel Adebayor - 7 - A mixed bag of some fine link-up play and some poor finishing - still a worrying sight to see him limp off.

Robin van Persie - 8 - Slows our game up and is all right foot I remember thinking as I watched a performance of some classical one-touch football combined with a stunning shot with his weaker foot that was tipped on to the post.

Emmanuel Eboue - 5 - Couldn't be expected to be fully up to speed after a few weeks out, could be expected to make a proper challenge on his opposing full back rather then letting him run straight past him.

Gilberto - 7 - A reassuring presence from the bench.

Nicklas Bendtner - n/a