West Ham 1 - 3 Arsenal: Mental Strength

Completely agreed with Dani. I was hoping Bendtner actually started today but Arsene would never bench someone who is low on confidence. Reason Giroud started was to show Arsene trusted him eventhough it wasn't the best of options seeing his performance in the last few matches. Maybe Arsene though there were goals in other players so it wouldn't matter much.

Bendtner when he is really in the mood can be a good player. He has scored in big games to show that.

I can't see Arsene starting Bendtner against Newcastle as it's a big-ish game but I don't know how he expects Giroud to play again after 2 games in 4 games.

Perhaps Podolski upfront might work. I'd go with that.

Giroud is a bit low on confidence, you can see it when he gets chances in front of goals Also the amount of games he has played are beginning to have an effect. I agree that Wenger might be tempted to start Bendy against Newcastle, i think its too soon for Poldi.

i think Arsene Kept Giroud on the pitch so maybe he could rescue himself out of this nightmare and score and regain some confidence so in that case it could have been a good decision had it paid off not that Bendtner is world beater anyway!

Hey guys, hope you've all had a good Christmas. Thanks, RG, for making this thread. Normal service will resume now.

I thought today's game could have been a lot easier than it was had we been more clinical in front of goal. I don't think we've had a game this season where we've created so many chances and we - my family and I - thought it was going to be one of those days where we do everything but score.

In that regard, Giroud had a real stinker. We already knew he wasn't too good in one-on-one situations but he took the one he had today poorly, dragging his shot way past the post. The ball was cut back across several times and he just couldn't get on the end of any of them. I suppose in one sense it's good that he's still getting in the right positions, but that he can't seem to convert relatively simple opportunities now is worrying.

The goal we conceded was poor. Nolan was allowed too much room on the edge of the box for the initial shot, and Szczesny made a bad mistake by not holding onto the ball even though the shot was straight at him. We pushed for an equaliser and committed men forward every time we attacked, but this left us really open in midfield and West Ham created some really good chances. We've been punished for this before, but got away with it today. We made Carlton Cole look like Drogba.

The goal was fortunate when it eventually came. I don't quite know what Adrian was doing, but Walcott's tame effort went in under his glove. Walcott's play to make room for himself to have the shot was good, but the shot really should have been saved. From there, I was confident we'd go on to the win the game, though a bit weary that we were leaving ourselves too open.

Podolski made a difference when he came on. He looked really up for it and got involved straight away. His cross to Walcott was a beauty, and Walcott was actually on the back post this time to score. I noticed a few times today that when the ball went across the goal, we didn't have anyone backing up on the back post if the guy running towards the near post missed it, and the one time we did have more than one playing going in, they all went towards the near post. As far as attacking deficiencies goes, this game highlighted that we don't attack crosses, in the air on along the ground, well, even though we're pretty good at working a good crossing position.

The third goal was a nice cap off and a taste what's to come from Podolski. Giroud did well to lay it off, and Podolski showed the sort of ruthless finishing that we've lacked at times this season.

All in all, a good win and decent performance, though not without some worries. Losing Ramsey for any length of time is not ideal, but then he could do with a break and this will give Wilshere a chance in central midfield if Ramsey does miss any games. I thought Gibbs was fantastic, particularly going forward, which we haven't seen from him as much recently. Cazorla had a very good second half. Giroud's just not finding the net right now and it is, perhaps, time to give Bendtner a chance. Alternatively, we could give Podolski another go down the middle.

It's a tough call to make, as you don't want to damage Giroud's confidence too much. Ideally you'd want to let him play his way back into scoring form, but then, how long can you go without a striker scoring, especially when you're competing at the top of the table? I think Wenger will stick with him, at least this weekend, since Newcastle is a big game, but if he keeps this up then he simply doesn't deserve to start on a regular basis.

Great to be back to winning ways and on top of the league again. Newcastle is a very tough game, given their form right now, but a win there would put us right back on track with the fixture easing up a bit in the next few weeks.

Giroud needs a rest, it's not just physical, it's seeping in mentally and we can't have him losing confidence so a break is overdue.

Agree, Bendnter isn't getting credit for how well he's doing even if it's not outstanding, how much can you really do in 10 minutes every other match?

He did well to stand off of the defensive line and feed Walcott in, created a chance there, scored that offside goal vs City of course and created a chance there too, so he's clearly capable but I don't know if he could find the form to be what we need for the whole rest of the season.

About Olly, he'll come good again, it's too much to just rely on him alone though, confidence is his best and worst asset but the goals will come back.

Ramsey going off basically forced us to make the Podolski change, but once he was on, the game changed completely. Perhaps we should try a Poldi-Cazorla-Walcott attacking midfield 3 at Newcastle

Bendtner came on and almost immediately scored

If bendtner starts against Newcastle he will score. I think he would have scored today as well if he started.

did we really win 27/34 of Aerials away at freaking West Ham.what lol
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2013/matches/695080/team-stats/3/3_DEFENCE_06#tabs-wrapper-anchor

1 - Arsenal are +1 at the top of the table on Boxing Day. In each of the previous 8 seasons, Arsenal have been the following behind the leaders on Boxing Day:
-16 - 2012-2013
-13 - 2011-2012
-5 - 2010-2011
-7 - 2009-2010
-10 - 2008-2009
-1 - 2007-2008
-14 - 2006-2007
-20 - 2005-2006

via Arseblog

Is WENGER stubborn or scared to make changes? its worrying.
If Ramsey did not get injured you think Podolski would have come in? and Santi moved to the middle? we cant wait for players to get super tired/injured before deciding to make changes.

I hope Wenger got over his fear and we can see more fresh legs coming in and giving the tired players a big boost. We have the players that can change the game and I hope Ramsey is ok, his season is just getting started.

Its time to Start Podolski or Bendtner. Starting Giroud is a big gamble, we cant sacrifice the team for Giroud to score a goal. Podolski this season, 7 shots, 4 on target, 3 goals.

I wonder what Theo said to Giroud here? Your day will come one day big brother?