But don't get ahead of yourselves, guys, because we were pretty insipid for the first third of the game

===

when we created 2 clear chances

I do agree with you though, it's nothing special. I haven't seen anyone say it is.

I disagree, I thought we were very toothless for the first part and I'm sure I wasn't the only Gooner thinking it was gonna go the way of the Swansea game again. Great second half though.

And yeah, thankfully, there hasn't been an OTT reaction like I thought there may have been on here.

We won penguin

Try and enjoy it

comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 47 seconds ago
We won penguin

Try and enjoy it
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Realisim is always the best outlook

We had a very old team out there today so it was pretty languid in the first half.

There obviously wasn't any pace also

It's good to have kosc back. We were also badly missing Gibbs pace down the flanks. Verm did a decent job but it's only when Gibbs don't play, you realise how important he is

pointless moaning from you yet again penguin

not a great outlook if you ask me

Who's meant to be back for hull? Is Ozil due back?

http://news.arseblog.com/2014/04/boss-expecting-ozil-return-at-hull/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

yes

Fack me ozil seems to have been out for an eternity

Podolski was woeful imo.

apart from his goals yeah

never tracks back... the amount of times thier rightback had the freedom of the pitch because he wasnt getting on the end of a pass and wasnt tracking back either

he'd never play for mourinho

Neither would Cazorla, Giroud or Arteta

Were you at the game ceg?

yes

Giroud's goal was world class, im sure you'll agree

Right foot for once.

where were you sat? I was block 17

club level, north bank right corner

near 5 i think... so 17 cant be too far away, are you on the side of the dugouts?

Nope right opposite

A win is a win is a win! and 3 points.

However, a somewhat lethargic performance at times, some awful passing and aimless heading of the ball. Need to sharpen up before May 17th. F.A. Cup Final.

Good result and in fact you could say great result given our recent form but in reality it was a very mediocre performance.

So many "square pegs in round holes" as the cliche goes and my fear (will get slated for this) is that should we secure 4th spot and win the FA Cup we just won't treat this summer with the huge importance it deserves...

I felt we were very poor until West Ham scored. Slow in possession, lacking in ideas, no movement from any of our attackers. Once they scored, we woke up and i felt we comfortably controlled the match thereon.

Podolski, for me, is an enigma. Overall he had a very poor match. Couldn't make the runs, poor in possession. Then he pops up with 2 great goals. It'll be interesting to see what his short term future holds. Personally i think he's on too high wages to be left as a squad player, and yet he isn't really what we need to push on next season. I wouldn't be fussed if he stays or goes.

Giroud was pretty awful, as usual. Again, the lack of movement up front was stark. Had a chance and fluffed it. However, once he scored (and it was a lovely goal), his confidence shot up. Started dropping back and link up play. Looked very confident from then on. It seems that Giroud has been struck by a severe lack of confidence and is suffering from exhaustion. I still don't think he's good enough for Arsenal, and hope he moves on. Bu if you look at the teams we have left, he should do a decent job against them.

I've read some people praise Kallstrom for his performance. Personally i felt his passing was very poor. He lofted the ball to Giroud and Podolski several times, and in all occasions overhit the ball by some distance. Defensively he did good. Perhaps with match fitness, his passing sharpness will improve. But tbh, i can't see him extending his loan term.

MotM was Santi. Perhaps the level of opposition was poor, but Cazorla dominated the midfield and looked assured in possession. I find it remarkable that him and Arteta, despite playing the full 120 mins vs Wigan, still managed each a great performance. Again, perhaps the poor quality of opposition helped us. But still to put in that shift after a tough week is commendable.

One thing in that match did strike me clearly. The instant impact that Ramsey made. In the match, before West Ham scored, we were very poor. Then we were decent to good in the middle of the match. However, we looked so good when Ramsey came on for his 15 min cameo. He looked sharp in possession, sharp in his pressing, and sharp in passing. His assist to Podolski showed what we've been missing these past 4 months. Some clever creativity. His work rate, even in that 15 mins was great to see. We have missed Ramsey in the 1st team very much, and it showed.

Spot on Serial on observation on Kallstrom. The Swede passing was abject.

I've read some people praise Kallstrom for his performance. Personally i felt his passing was very poor. He lofted the ball to Giroud and Podolski several times, and in all occasions overhit the ball by some distance.
====
But was that poor quality of passing? Or was it simply that he's not yet in tune with the passing rhythm, and not anticipating the way Arsenal players are drilled to move into space?

comment by Koscielny Patented Proof Readers (U7373)
posted 47 minutes ago
I've read some people praise Kallstrom for his performance. Personally i felt his passing was very poor. He lofted the ball to Giroud and Podolski several times, and in all occasions overhit the ball by some distance.
====
But was that poor quality of passing? Or was it simply that he's not yet in tune with the passing rhythm, and not anticipating the way Arsenal players are drilled to move into space?
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Nah his passing was poor. Lots of attempted Hollywood balls with very little success. He's regaining match fitness and sharpness so is understandable but lets not pretend it wasn't largely poor. Other aspects of his game were fairly decent though.

It was funny that we didn't turn up for the match until coincidentally West Spammers sang "are you Tottenham in disguise"!