This is not a game to be taken lightly. West Ham are deep in the relegation zone and will be determined to pick up some points. Also it will be interesting to see how Bowyer performs for West Ham. I'll take a guess at the team Wenger picks - Seaman, Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Van Bronckhorst, Wiltord, Gilberto, Vieira, Pires, Bergkamp and Henry. Subs. Taylor, Luzhny, Edu, Toure and Jeffers. Prediction. Arsenal 2 West Ham 0.
I think Keown is out on suspension. Hopefully the boss will start Upson, its a shame that a talent like that is always on the bench, he should get a chance over Cygan
Keown did indeed pick up his 5th yellow card of the season against Birmingham, so I presume he's suspended. To be honest with UEFA's insistence this season on putting bans into effect immediately and the FA's inital reluctance to do it, I'm not quite sure. If he is out, I agree that Upson should get his chance. He's always looked like a good young player when I've seen him and as he has been fit and just returned from an impressive loan spell at Reading, I think he should play. Cygan hasn't impressed me and as he is only just making his way back from injury, I reckon he won't even make the squad. If Upson doesn't play, I would try to resurrect the move to Birmingham if I was him as it would only prove that he has no future at the club. Cygan is no better than Upson and while I admit £2.5m for a player isn't much in the scheme of things, it's a lot if the player doesn't improve on the players already in the squad. After all that, I nearly forgot a prediction. I reckon we'll do well to keep West Ham out as our defence hasn't been in any way rock solid this season, but West Ham's is terrible and I can see us knocking in a couple if Dennis and Thierry are in the form they were last weekend. 3-1 to us is my prediction, but 1-0 with the ball going in off Kanu's backside would do me.
.. West Ham are picking up the odd draw and need a big result to kickstart their season. A big bearing on this game could be the Chelsea/Utd game on Saturday. If Chelsea get a point i fancy our relaxed players will annex a 3-0 win. If Utd win, our nervy 2-1 scoreline could be in vogue again.
I am sorry to say I'm not an Upson supporter I prefer Cygan. Some incidents stand out in my mind about Upson. These relate to CL games against Panathinaikos and Juventus in addition to a game against Aston Villa. In the CL games Upson made some dodgy challenges one of which lead to a penalty (which luckily Wright saved). In the game against Villa, Merson turned Matty inside out and really roasted him. As a matter of fact I read somewhere that Wenger is prepared to sell Upson at the January transfer window and that Charlton are interested in him. However, that just may be tabloid gossip.
What about a Wiltord hat trick? With this game at Highbury, I fully expect a win. West Ham is playing very poorly this season and I don't see them improving much this week even with the inclusion of Bowyer. Bowyer might provide a spark but I think Arsenal will be too dominating. Is Vieira still injured? ---Seaman--- Lauren--Upson--Campbell--Gio Wiltord--Gilberto--Vieira (Edu)--Pires ---Henry---Bergkamp---
I don't believe Keown is suspended for the game against West Ham. Martin will accompany Sol in central defence. I believe Wenger will play Gio in the left back position. If not he'll more than likely go for Luzhny who has played in that position before. There will be very few changes from the game against Birmingham except that Vieira will probably be available and Cole is suspended. Seaman Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Gio/Luzhny Wiltord, Gilberto, Vieira/Edu, Pires Bergkamp, Henry
I'd like to see it, but that man's been searching fruitlessly for a goal for what seems like several months now. His shots are always JUST wide. I'd predict an Henry hat trick over a Wiltord one, especially if Thierry is in the form he was in last weekend. I think we'll get a solid 3-0, but the gang will have to take this one seriously-- West Ham seem bent on squeezing out of the relegation zone, and even a draw for them would shore up their morale. I'll be watching for the result of the Chelsea-ManU game with great interest. I think Chelsea could definitely pull off a hard-won 2-1 victory, but would rather see a draw.
Everyone knows I don't rate him much. And I know someone will trot out a load of stats to defend him, but I just go with what I see with my own eyes (This goes for my preference for Upson over Cygan too). However, if he gets a hat-trick and we win, fine. And when he is in a goal-scoring position, no-one is willing the ball to hit the back of the net more than me. Like I said above, the new rules on when suspensions start this season and whether the FA are enforcing them or not have thoroughly confused me. I can tell you this though, I'd rather he did play against West Ham and missed the Farnborough match.
I don't intend to become involved in a Cygan-Upson debate. But what I've seen with my own eyes I'll chose Cygan any day in preference to Upson. That brings up an interesting question. In the game against Birmingham both Cygan and Upson were not on the bench. Cygan for a reason - injury! Why was Upson not on the bench as a backup defender? I believe Wenger has lost confidence in him and is very likely ready to unload him.
Great to pick up the three points and stay five points ahead of Man Utd. The gods were looking down on us. I thought Gilberto had one of his best games so far in the Premiership. And Thierry appeared invincible ! Matty Upson was not on the bench again. It can't be a bug. I believe he's on his way to Birmingham!! It looks as if it will be a two horse race from now on and we must stay in front all the way to the finish!