Let’s be honest, Arsenal fans, and admit that tonight’s win over West Ham was far from being a classic. It would even be a stretch to call it i8nteresting really, but the important thing was for the Gunners to get into the semi-final of the Carabao Cup and that is just what we did.
Arsene Wenger did not try to sugar coat the performance of his players, admitting in his post match comments reported by the Daily Star that the Gunners struggled to create many chances, especially in the second half once we already had our noses in front through a scruffy but timely and important goal from Danny Welbeck.
The boss felt that Arsenal were better before the break and we certainly had more of the ball although I cannot recall too much goalmouth action there either apart from a great cross from Kolasinac that Theo Walcott should have buried.
What really won us the game, as the Frenchman conceded, was the strong defensive display from the back four of.Debuchy, Chambers, Holding and Kolasinac with Coquelin doing a great job of protecting them.
Wenger said, “I felt we played with quality and spirt and pace in the first half.
“For 90 minutes we looked solid defensively.
“Second half we lost a bit of pace and were less creative. So it was down to not making a mistake.
“Overall it’s a positive night, other than we lost Olivier Giroud.”
That could turn out to be quite a blow, especially with a crucial home clash with Liverpool up next, but maybe the big man will not be out for long if Wenger’s words on him are anything to go by.
He said, “It doesn’t look very good for him. I think he’s out of Friday night.
“What is worrying is when you start to lose players. You can’t afford to lose another one.”
Even with Ramsey already out the Arsenal injury list is not too bad though, but no more please and we can look forward to a semi-final and hopefully a strong second half of the season.
Bob.