Forum | General Discussion

Arsenal: Ospina, Mertesacker (c), Koscienly, Ozil, Giroud, Walcott, Ramsey, Sanchez, Monreal, Chambers, Coquelin
Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Cazorla, Flamini, Welbeck, Akpom, Bellerin
West Ham United: Adrian, Cresswell, Nolan (c), Jarvis, Kouyate, Downing, Sakho, Noble, O'Brien, Collins, Song
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Onariase, Poyet, Cullen, Amalfitano, Nene

As a trial today the Org will allow registered users to use a live match day chat box. The box will be located on the top right of the screen and will be live from 14:30 and will close at 17:30. If the trial is a success we will make it a regular feature.

You could hardly make it up could you? Hammers striker Enner Valencia is a huge doubt for this Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, apparently Valencia cut his toe very severely on a broken cup at his rented home! Hammers move to the Olympic stadium cannot come soon enough for those who still believe in the Gypsy curse that has blighted the Boleyn Ground. For those who are unaware, an old lady is said to have set a curse on the ground when her and her family had their land compulsorily purchased many years ago in order for the Boleyn ground to be redeveloped.
Take it with whatever sized pinch of salt you want, but Hammers have experienced a ridiculous amount of long term 'marquee' player injuries, dating back as far as Stuart Robson, who was followed by Don Hutchison, Dean Ashton,Kieron Dyer and of course big Andy Carroll. Valencia's injury has come at the worst possible time for West Ham who are looking to halt the alarming slide down the Premier League table from 4th at Christmas to the 10th position they now find themselves in, with Alex Song apparently struggling with a knee injury and Carl Jenkinson unable to play due to Arsenal being his parent club, things don't look too good for the trip to the Emirates!
Neutral observers would agree with manager Sam Allardyce's recent comments regarding the strength, or lack of it, of the current squad. The lack of a second string back up team has been woefully exposed, and is something that the co-owners will doubtless seek to rectify during the summer, but for now it will be a case of hit and hope on Saturday. -Ed