We returned to winning ways after the loss against Chelsea with a 3-1 victory at a ground where we have a poor record. We bossed the match really from the start but West Ham showed what they can offer other than that donkey of a striker upfront. We dominated the match up until the 21st minute when Diame skipped through Aaron Ramsey and curled a superb shot into the far corner from a tight angle. A good goal no doubt but perhaps we could have dealt with it a bit better. Diame was lucky however not to get sent off after receiving a first yellow for celebrating with the crowd (which is an absurd rule), he proceeded to clatter Arteta with a dangerous looking tackle.
20 minutes later we were level, Giroud sprayed the ball out wide to Podolski who just delayed his cross for long enough before whipping it in to Giroud who poked it home at full stretch. A very well worked Arsenal move and a moment to savour for Olivier Giroud who is finally off the mark in the Premier League. A true poachers goal from the big Frenchman.
West Ham had chances to get themselves back in front with Carroll and Nolan wasting them. Gervinho who was poor all game really, was replaced by Theo Walcott after an hour and 17 minutes later he was on the score sheet. This time Giroud turned provider sliding an inch perfect pass through to Walcott who slotted under the onrushing Jaaskelainen at the near post. A typical Theo goal and again reinforcing the fact that I think we really need to tie him down to a new contract.
After 2 worked team goals, a piece of individual brilliance secured the 3 points and it was that little man who has just controlled the midfield since arriving, Santi Cazorla. Walcott got himself into a bit of trouble but managed to poke the ball across to Cazorla who went one way before crashing his shot into the top right hand corner from all of 25 yards. A fantastic goal from a fantastic player.
The only down side for us was when Gibbs came off with a slight muscular strain but he's pulled out of the England squad so he will have had a couple of weeks to recover before we travel to Norwich. I'd like to say that it might be a blessing in disguise for Diaby who also has a strain but for some absurd reason Didier Deschamps has decided to call him up for the France team for their international match with whoever the fuck it is. Another injury that was picked up this time in an international was Theo Walcott who went off in the victory over San Marino with a chest problem. He has since pulled out of the squad for the match against Poland, we await to see the extent of that injury.
Right that's is for this week. Back next week with all the build up to the Norwich match.
