Pressure mounts on Gunners

Wenger's men drop more points in race for the Champions League

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 31st January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pressure mounts on Gunners

Bendtner: Surprise place in the first XI

Man of the Match: James Collins. The West Ham centre-back was a rock for the duration and Arsenal could not find a way past.

Moment of the Match: Not an encounter that will make any Top Ten lists for great matches come the end of the season and the cheer that greeted Robin van Persie's introduction was probably the highlight.

Save of the Match: Collins headed away when Kolo Toure looped an effort towards an unguarded goal. If Arsenal had gone in front, West Ham could have crumbled.

Talking Point: Can Arsenal qualify for the Champions League? Has this result increased the need for Andrei Arshavin? Was it a mistake to start with Van Persie on the bench?

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The quantity of questions surrounding Arsenal's place in next season's UEFA Champions League increased on Saturday as Arsene Wenger's side were held to a goalless draw with West Ham at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal welcomed their London rivals to the north of the capital already under pressure, trailing fourth-placed Premier League rivals Aston Villa by five points, and the doubts will have only increased following a failure to capitalise on dominance.

Wenger's men enjoyed the majority of possession, and opportunities to create, but the home side - who were fortunate Villa were held to an identical result against Wigan - sadly failed to produce clear-cut chances, adding to demands for Andrei Arshavin.

The first half was a forgettable affair, with Gunners midfielder Abou Diaby creating the only drama as his early header deflected off James Collins to hit the West Ham cross bar.

Arsenal, who surprisingly had Nicklas Bendtner in their first XI in place of substitute Robin van Persie, came out with all guns blazing after the interval and captain Kolo Toure saw a hooked effort cleared off the line by the excellent Collins.

West Ham continued to defend admirably and suffered only one major scare when Emmanuel Adebayor failed to convert when free at the near post.

It was a bright start by the home side, who almost snatched an early lead when Diaby's header from a corner deflected off defender Collins and onto the crossbar.

West Ham - who became the first team to win at Emirates Stadium in April 2007 during their successful battle against relegation - continued to sit back and invite pressure.

Problem

Samir Nasri was causing all sorts of problems with his pace down the left, and Bendtner was only inches away from connecting with his cross into the six-yard box.

The young Dane should have perhaps done better than to head wide when, in the 21st minute, he did get on the end of a deep centre from the busy French winger.

There was a hold-up when Emmanuel Eboue needed treatment after being flattened in a challenge with Scott Parker.

The much-maligned Ivory Coast midfielder limped heavily on his return to action, and was eventually replaced by Mexican youngster Carlos Vela with 10 minutes to go before half-time. Nasri moved into the middle as Arsenal looked to be more creative.

However, while it continued to be one-way traffic, West Ham held their defensive line well. To their credit, Zola's men looked to counter attack as possible.

Collins sent a header goalwards from a corner, which was knocked away by Gael Clichy on the far post.

Arsenal again enjoyed a good spell following the restart after Hammers skipper Lucas Neill pushed over Vela on the left.

The free-kick was sent deep towards the back post, where Bendtner knocked it down and Green punched out.

Acrobatic

Kolo Toure acrobatically hooked the ball goalwards over his shoulder, but Collins was on hand to head clear.

Arsenal were on the offensive again when some quick footwork created space for Diaby on the edge of the penalty area, only for the midfielder to then drag his low shot wide.

Denilson had two efforts blocked as Arsenal again threatened the West Ham goal. A quick counter attack released Bacary Sagna on the overlap down the right.

His cross towards the near post was met by Adebayor, who slid in ahead of his marker, but could only guide the ball wide.

Denilson pulled the trigger again from just outside the box, and his angled shot flew over the top corner.

With 22 minutes left, Wenger turned to Van Persie - who has had a hand in every Arsenal goal this month - as the Dutchman replaced Bendtner.

It was then West Ham's turn to make an attacking change when record signing Savio went on for Mark Noble.

Adebayor had another golden chance when picked out in the middle by Vela's cross from the left, but could only head the ball straight at Green.

Vela was booked for going down as he charged between defenders into the left side of the penalty box, which looked somewhat harsh.

With seven minutes left, West Ham introduced former Gunner Luis Boa Morte for David Di Michele.

Diaby was carried off following an awkward fall in a challenge with Savio and was replaced by Song.

The Gunners pressed for a winner, but the visitors remained resolute to the final whistle during four minutes of stoppage time.

ArsenalTeam StatisticsWest Ham United
0Goals0
01st Half Goals0
3Shots on Target2
8Shots off Target0
11Blocked Shots0
13Corners3
13Fouls13
1Offsides4
2Yellow Cards2
0Red Cards0
86.2Passing Success75.6
28Tackles33
60.7Tackles Success75.8
63Possession37
71.1Territorial Advantage28.9
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Comments (17)

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Stan Tan (Arsenal fan) says...

This again, another dissapointing season. It's not over though. It's a pity that Thierry Henry had to go to Barcelona. He made us unbeatable a world class player he is. Our attacks aren't solid enough, it isn't the one touch game that we used to play. Our strikers take pot shots looking for a lucky goal, with the morale and scores going down this way, it looks grim for the club. Let's hope Wenger has some miracle for us. If it isn't, we might as well win next season.

Posted 11:11 1st February 2009

Michael Duggan (Manchester United fan) says...

I don't understand why people would be suprised with this result, Arsenal simply lack the quality that they had a few years ago. Players such as Bentner, Eboue, Denilson, Diaby and many others simply aren't good enough. They have no strength in depth and if justice is done this season Villa will finish forth!

Posted 01:10 1st February 2009

Ibrar Ahmed (Arsenal fan) says...

Everytime Arsenal have a chance to close the gap between them and the top three they slip up. We may be unbeaten in 10 games but 6 of them have been draws. Man Utd look too strong and look like they will be champions again as they are so consistent. We can still catch the other three but unless we dont improve we may for the first time under AW not finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League.

Posted 20:38 31st January 2009

Mark Moore (Arsenal fan) says...

We are in need of strengthening and wenger knows that but with players such as fabregas walcott and rosicky out when they return it will be like new signings would love to see arshavin and the return of matty upson before window close's REMEMBER ARSENE IS THE GREATEST EVER.

Posted 19:31 31st January 2009

Iraunaj Zea (Arsenal fan) says...

How many chances does Adebayor need to score a goal? Why does Wenger insist on playing him from start? Let him warm the bench until he pulls up his socks!!

Posted 19:05 31st January 2009

Kevin Roberts (Arsenal fan) says...

i'm starting to wish Wenger would go to Real Madrid, and take Denilson and adebayor with him

Posted 19:00 31st January 2009

Sean O'malley (Arsenal fan) says...

Once again Adebayor was rubbish, I hope he is only on the bench when I go on Tuesday!

Posted 18:58 31st January 2009

Gunner Doug (Arsenal fan) says...

More proof that Wenger should just buy Arshavin already

Posted 18:49 31st January 2009

James Cox (West Ham United fan) says...

Zola is building from the ground up and the results are there to be seen. We have a solid back line, a strong central midfield and in form strikers. Bit of pace on the flanks and this will be the best West Ham Utd team since DiCanio donned the colours. I think Arsenal fans need to stop looking to Van Persie to bail them out, and maybe if they stopped attacking their players morale and team confidence would help them regain form!

Posted 18:41 31st January 2009

Noel Daniels (West Ham United fan) says...

After an initial adjustment period I too have embraced the magic of the Zola revolution. Although we didn't win today a point at the Emirates is always a good result. All these Arsenal fans asking for Wenger to sort it out need their heads checked as he is still one of the greatest managers in world football!

Posted 18:32 31st January 2009

Clive Chapple (Arsenal fan) says...

Just another wasted season...........too much talk in the close season on what we can achive...........its all about what we cant achive at the moment...........last 5 seasons have just got worse and worse..........how we finish in the league in each of those seasons tells the story..........come on Arsene sort this mess out!!!!!

Posted 18:31 31st January 2009

Billy Goods (Arsenal fan) says...

When we last won the title we had world class players. Henry, Vieira, Pires, Silva, Bergkamp, Campbell, Ljungberg, Edu, Cole, Lehmann. Other than Cesc Fabregas who do we have? They will be world class some day but we need stars now. Forget Arshavin, we need a Vieira.

Posted 18:28 31st January 2009

Chris Mushaninga (Arsenal fan) says...

Eboue and Bendtner are the weakest links. Adebayor has lost focus and the complete Arsenal squad need a revamp. We really need siverware and at this rate we could be waiting years.

Posted 18:26 31st January 2009

Ben Thomson (Arsenal fan) says...

Getting fed up now, why did RVP not start this game??? Why do we still play Adebayour and why did we give that waste of space an improved contract??? Bendtner is a great impact player but just not good enough to start and do not get me started about how lazy Eboue is!! This really proves how weak our fringe players are and we need to strengthen badly!

Posted 17:58 31st January 2009

Lee Webster (West Ham United fan) says...

another good result for the Zola revolution, and another clean sheet. zola and Clarkey are starting to make a real impression on the players and all the talk recently from Parker and Upson is double positive. Exciting times ahead!

Posted 17:33 31st January 2009

Uche Ugorji (Arsenal fan) says...

Wenger has lost the plot.....I have neva said so b4......

Posted 17:26 31st January 2009

Gareth Kings (Arsenal fan) says...

How many chances will Wenger give Bendtner and Eboue? They are not good enogh to play for Arsenal!

Posted 17:15 31st January 2009
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