There’s no doubt Everton are a good, solid side, whose position in the table underlines their ability to cause problems for opponents.
The fact that short-arse Tim Cahill – great player as he is – should score with a header from an unchallenged cross is just another example of our defensive fragility.
Everton didn’t even have any strikers on the field!
The game against West Ham is a different challenge altogether.
Despite his height, Carlton Cole is more of a danger with his feet and in Davide Di Michele, West Ham have a forward partnership who play intricate football.
West Ham fans would never allow their side to play long ball football, but given their strengths and the weakness we have shown to long balls, who would bet against them catching us on the counter-attack if we’re camped in their half?
Rumours abound that Kolo Toure is off, but I can’t see him going, with Silvestre injured, unless Wenger gets Micah Richards in return, which is again unlikely. Why would we want to sell him now??!
I watched West Ham fluke their way past Hartlepool last week, who were undone by a fairly decent goal and then lost heart when a ludicrous penalty was given against them.
Their strength seems to be in getting full-backs forward, so it will be interesting to see if we can pin Ilunga and Neill back.
Robert Green seems to save his best games for matches against Arsenal and I fear he will have another fine game tomorrow.
Although Gianfranco Zola has bounced back from a shaky run that he endured after joining the Hammers, I still think we’ll have enough to beat them tomorrow.
But with Alex Song playing so badly, I’d change the formation and use it to our advantage, playing King Kolo in a holding role.
Addict XI
Almunia
Sagna Djourou Gallas Clichy
Toure
Nasri Denilson Diaby
Van Persie Adebayor
Let us know below what your Arsenal team would be.