Arsenal 0 - 2 West Ham United

best performances I've seen in a long time

Hi Folks -- been away quite a while and likely will only be in occasionally for a while yet. Work has ramped up and I have extra duties before I retire! So, unfortunately I didn't even stay up last night since I would have had no sleep before work this morning. But I did check the headlines. Looks like I missed one for the ages. Please tell me how good is REECE!!!! And Payet seems to have been worth the money, too. Kouyate -- that guy seems a gem. He was good last season, just a little overshadowed by Sakho and Cresswell. Hopefully the team uses this great win to build on. What a start for Slaven. Makes you forget all about the European exit.

This is an amazing result and kind of justifies the midweek line up in the Europa.

This was close to being a complete performance from the Hammers. In goal Adrian was calm and assured, he made a few timely saves but didn't need to repeat the string of desperate saves made by Rob Green when we last won at the Emirates. Winston Reid was like a rock at the heart of our defence and Aaron Cresswell worked tirelessly as always. I was concerned when we picked up yellow cards for Noble and Ogbonna so early in the game but the defence kept their cool and by the end of the game we had only conceded 9 free kicks to 12 by Arsenal. This defensive unit will be stronger next week when Carl Jenkinson is available for selection; it was noticeable that Tomkins is not comfortable at right back and was reluctant to move forward on the right flank in support of our attack.
In midfield Kouyate was brilliant, Poyat was outstanding, Oxford played with such composure and didn't put a foot wrong and Noble's commitment was demonstrated in the last minute of the game when he took the ball from a throw in at the Arsenal corner flag, beat a couple of players and carried the ball into their penalty area. After a nervous start it was great to watch our midfield players pressing hard, holding up the ball, stringing passes together, building moves and retaining possession!
Zarate worked hard, scored a poacher's goal and was visibly disappointed when he was subbed for Jarvis with 30 minutes left. My only criticism was that he completed several dribbles but ran into trouble when there were better options to pass the ball. Sakho carried on from his all-action performances of early last season. He never stopped working, towards the end of the game he ran most of the length of the pitch to their by-line and won a corner kick. He will score goals for us this year and now I am feeling very enthusiastic about this season!

We came we saw we kicked ARSE :)

good to have you back moore

This was a tale of two halves. Arsenal were the better side in the first half and were unlucky to be behind thanks to a perfect set piece by Payet and a great header past Cech by Kouyate. If Cech stayed on his line then Kouyate would have found the corner of the net. The second half sawmill a more ragged Arsenal side and a far more composed West Ham team. The defence did not panic and West Ham were stringing several passes even from their own box and on one occasion the passes continued with a great lob to Sakho in the Arsenal box and an unlucky Sakho slipped and went down after beautifully controlling the pass. Zarate's goal was a peach when he stole the ball and from outside the box below cleverly slid it past the defender and keeper. Again I do not blame their keeper as he adjusted his stance in the box based on everyone expecting Zarate to either pass or curl it at the other far corner. Adrian is a quality keeper - 8. Tompkins adapted well to the right back and apart from the yellow was rock solid and even made a very timely tackle that would have seen Arsenal score. - 7. Reid was outstanding 8. Ogbonna - apart from the yellow was very calm and composed 7. Cresswell was a thorn in the Gunners side. 8 for him. Noble was shaky in the first half and in danger of being sent off with that ridiculous tackle. But he started combining well with the attackers as the game wore on. 7 for him. Payet was the Man of the match and at times looked like the 45 Million star that Arsenal are reportedly looking to sign in the form of Benzema. 9 for Payet. Oxford is a future England player and the likes of Man City and ManU will try to steal him if Chelsea do not stay ahead of the potential suitors. Definitely an 8 for him. Zarate would have been a 5, however he showed true quality in the manner in which he scored out of nothing. So a 7 for him as he also tried to work his socks off. Lone striker Sakho and the other goal scorer Kouyate were both 8 for their contributions. Jarvis did not impress as a sub so a 6 for him. Good performance by super sub Nolan. So 7 for him and ideally he is best suited to start from the bench.

and was a very proud hammers supporter, the team can be very proud of their performance as most thought we where in for a beating but hey forgot to tell our boys. What a great day to be a hammers supporter.