Arsenal v West Ham: Redemption is nigh!

Glory Glory when you’re united! .. "Arsenal, we're on your side
Our love we can not hide, Our hearts are open wide.. Boom! I'm still buzzzzzing!

Well done boys! who could believe that? finally and I repeat finally broke our 9-year-old jinx at Old Trafford! well it's not all about the jinx but the guys who steered the ship, the brave fighters , sheer confidence, super mental strength and the manner in which we brought OT tumbling in just 61 minutes!

"Arsenal are our loyal wives" They said, "who even wanna go to the Carrington grounds to train ahead of our London concubines?" They posed. But pride comes before a fall, the wise men once said and little did they know their once so loyal student would return as a ruthless slayer and mercilessly tear the OT faithful hearts apart.

Who else? but the newly crowned Lord Welbeck? LVG once said he did not fit United's requirements and many believed the egocentric Dutch tactician who in return brought the Tigre as his replacement. But in came Le Prof, king of talent makers who saved Welbz career, believed in his talents, helped rebuild his confidence and sharpened his double edged sword which the whole Arsenal crew used in their recent victorious battle.

From the go, Arsenal showed signs of a more brave and mentally matured unit, passing with confidence,  tackling left, right and centre  never held back and as well constantly attacking when the time was due. Wenger for the second time this season put on a brave mask, his fingers neither fidgeted nor his eye brows twitched in fear even when the pressure was immense! The last time he did that? how about City, yeah the city of Manchester.

Manchester is Wenger's! yes he's reclaimed his once stomping ground and thank you Manchester for your hospitality, we'll be back to officially take our bride home come May 15th. Wenger triumphed at Etihad on a day when everyone ruled us out, but to be honest it's that mega win which has since propelled us against football giants which was evident on Monday, much to the joy of our fantastic 9,000 travelling fans who owned the Old Trafford! . "We had 9,000 fans there and that’s absolutely fantastic. You’re grateful for that and to think that they travel home happy is a very good feeling. To share that win with them is fantastic" Said Wenger in appreciation to the fans undying passion.

Let's talk about Nacho Monreal shall we? Well the Spanish full back joined Arsenal as one of the most sought after Left backs in the world, having ever present in the Spanish national team from Malaga. Critics as usual tried to crucify the defender after a series of poor showings especially vs the big dogs; remember the 6-3 drubbing vs City at Etihad?. Yeah, Personally I always defended him, cause his first touches, forward forays and game reading were always slightly above Gibbs'. I'm sure many of you would strongly disagree with me on that, but a season and half later who would you line up as your Left back at Arsenal? Nacho!

Nacho like Wenger noted has now owned the city of Manchester. After running away with Gibbs starting berth, the 29-year-old combative player helped Arsenal to a 2-0 win over City winning Arsenal's penalty which Cazorla coolly converted the opener  and further went ahead to keep a clean sheet . Fast forward Monreal started Monday's game after being rested in QPR's match and what he did is simply unforgettable.

After a fine display of a number of ankle breaking twists from the now injured Ox, Monreal was teed up on the left wing and alone with the one and only David De Gea, he never disappointed, His ball control was breathtaking and his finish brought billions of Arsenal fans world to an ecstatic moment. Yes! we had opened the scoring at the famous OT in the first half hour and who did it? Sir Nacho Monreal!

The Spain defender who had lost his Spanish berth at the World Cup due to lack of game time last season, scored his second and again purely crucial goal for the club, since March 2013  that's exactly two damn years later! All these improved performances from Nacho Monreal can be wildly attributed to the fact that Gibbs always goes hard fighting for his place whenever he's on the pitch, and also Wenger's trust in him which has seen him deployed in a more central role was instrumental in making him one of the most diverse defenders in England.

Then came Dat Guy Welbz moment. The Mancunian forward returned to burn down those who had put his career in jeopardy by sending him out on numerous loan deals and denying him the chance to lead the attack. His output on the field was ever motivated by the facts he was playing against his former academy/team mates whom they used to share the locker rooms with. Dragging the defence wide, out-muscling them as well as tormenting them with his towering headers.

Danny's magical moment on the hour mark turned him from a United reject to an Arsenal 'legend' real quick! call it real redemption! His reactions caught the headlines when he couldn't hold his emotions and ended up passionately celebrating his killer goal in front of an awed United following, yes he had left an indelible mark which will take ages to erase. LVG had kicked him out of the team and Karma used his prodigal son to kick him out of the only realistic silverware target they had.

RVP shamefully celebrated like a mad man when he scored against us and well, at least he never got the chance to do that at the Emirates, well how about a bitter pill from Danny who showed no mercy to those who never respected his efforts at United? Off we are to the Wembley and Off is the word United will use to explain their season.

Redemption is nigh! Call me a dreamer but yes I see redemption from the horizon. We are into the semis for a record 28th time in the most coveted competition in England en route to winning it for a record 12 times.  I know I foresaw Arsenal's redemption 10 days ago before playing QPR where we snatched a valuable 2-1 win over Rangers courtesy of Giroud and the now improved Sanchez. All I called for is five straight wins in the league, and now having won at United I am certain my redemption prophesy will be true come end April.

Today we host West Ham and having rested for just five days following an intense but victorious week, expect Wenger to ring some major changes ahead of a vital trip to Monaco next week. Sam Allardyce's men lie 10th on the log, just 6 points adrift of us. A clear indication of what the match holds for both teams. Wenger wants to extend his unbeaten run in London, following major wins in the London derbies, QPR being the latest victim.


Like we've officially recouped Manchester, it's time to make our mark in London, especially after losing the North London Derby some weeks back, not mentioning what happens when we face Chelsea.

Last time we locked horns with The Hammers, a Cazorla's penalty and Welbeck's ended Arsenal's first half struggles to score twice in four minutes. Today represents a very new challenge to Wenger's men, a time when the players need to give it their all and forget about Manchester United and hit the ground running in front of their home fans. A win will not only boost our top 3 finish but will serve as the best preparation ahead of our daunting tie in the Champions League.

Alex Song who believes his disallowed goal last time out was controversial, will be looking to gun his former employers down in a week where Welbeck, Luiz and a couple of other players returned to condemn their former teams. Though I trust our super man Coquelin's fighting spirit to quench Song's influence in midfield.

Upfront we'll be hoping Giroud, Cazorla and Walcott's luck against the Hammers continues after seeing the England international netting four times and setting up three more goals in the past fixtures. Wenger admitted he's been cautious with Theo's return and however gave a hint on starting him today after confirming "He's ready to play" having just made 11 appearances after his lengthy lay off. Every Gooner won't mind an Ozil-Cazorla-Sanchez-Walcott partnership in midfield, and a win will most definitely steer us closer to redemption!

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Arsenal have won their last nine league and cup games against West Ham, including eight Premier League matches.
• The Hammers did the double over the Gunners in the 2006-07 season but since then are winless in 14 league and cup games (D2, L12) against them.

Arsenal

• The Gunners have won 11 of 13 games since New Year's Day, including seven wins from eight league matches.
• They have claimed 21 Premier League points in 2015 - only Liverpool, with 23, have a better record.
• Arsenal have won seven consecutive home league games - they have not won eight in a row since a 13-match streak in 2005.
• Olivier Giroud has scored four goals in four games against West Ham, while Theo Walcott has netted five times in his last four matches against the Hammers.
• Francis Coquelin has made 41 Premier League interceptions since returning from a loan spell with Charlton in December - more than any other player in the same period.

West Ham United

• The Hammers are winless in their last seven league and cup games (D3, L4).
• They have recorded just one victory in 11 Premier League games since Christmas Day (D5, L5).
• Sam Allardyce has yet to win a Premier League game away to Arsenal in his managerial career, losing seven and drawing three of 10 games.
• They have kept one Premier League clean sheet away from home this term - against Southampton last month. It is the joint-lowest total in the top flight along with Burnley and QPR. 

TEAM NEWS : In Wenger's words

-Boss on OxChambo: "It's a hamstring injury. He'll be out for three to four weeks."
-More team news: "Flamini is available and Gabriel will return to training on Sunday."

-Boss on Jack Wilshere: "It's very difficult to say when he will be back. We have to respect his recovery."
-Wenger on Arteta: "He's back in full training today. I think he'll return in three weeks."

My predicted line up: 

                     Ospina
      Bellerin,Koscielny,Mertesacker,Gibbs

             Coquelin, Ramsey

                Walcott,Ozil,Cazorla,Sanchez

                       Giroud 

My AFCvWHFC predictions:

Arsenal 2-1 West Ham (Cazorla, Walcott)

                               

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