Arsenal – West Ham United

1. Hello, welcome to Soccernet's coverage of West Ham's trip to Highbury for tonight's Premiership match. I'm Alex; think of me as a friend, guiding you through the comings and goings out on the pitch.

2. Arsenal kick off on a cold, dry night in north London.

3. 1'

   This is, of course, a London derby tonight; Arsenal are based in the north of the capital, with the Hammers residing at the Bolyn Ground away in the east of the city.

4. 1'

   Van Persie is brought down by Clarke on the edge of the penalty area, but Henry culrs the free-kick over the crossbar.

5. 2'

   Konchesky does well in a strong tackle on Ljunberg just inside the box after a ricochet had put him in a spot of bother.

6. 3'

   Van Persie's shot on the edge of the area is blocked by Gabbidon. Arsenal have started very brightly.

7. 4'

   Our referee tonight is Mark Halsey, a pleasant looking, middle-aged fellow who looks like he should be a celebrity chef.

8. 5'

   SO CLOSE! Diaby gets to the by-line and pulls a cross back to Henry; the skipper places a volley goalwards, but it deflects of team-mate Ljungberg and bobbles just wide.

9. 6'

   Van Persie wins his side a corner with a brilliant turn inside the area.

10. 7'

    Pires curls the ball in to the back post, but all of Arsenal's big-guns had made a run to the near and the ball drifts out of play for a goal-kick.

11. 8'

    West Ham could be in for a long night; everything Arsenal are trying is coming off at the moment; they look really sharp.

12. 9'

    In contrast, West Ham can't quite get their passing going in midfield and are giving the ball back to the home side with alarming ease.

13. 10'

    Arsenal really need a result tonight; they have slipped so far behind Chelsea, and are even looking like perhaps missing out on a Champions League spot.

14. 11'

    Gilberto's break down the right wins his side a corner off Konchesky. Van Persie curls the corner in, but West Ham defend it well.

15. 12'

    Harewood is flagged off-side as he chases down Konchesky's punt forward from the left-back position.

16. 13'

    West Ham have forged a reputatation this season for being a very attack-minded side, though they haven't got going at all so far this evening.

17. 13'

    At least the visitors are closing up the space in midfield now; they are putting much more pressure on the man in possession than they were at the start of the game.

18. 14'

    Good movement sets Zamora in behind the Arsenal centre-backs, but the ball from Mullins is a little too strong and Lehmann collects on the edge of his penalty area.

19. 15'

    West Ham have got seven Englishmen playing for them tonight; Arsenal have two. FACT.

20. 16'

    For all Arsenal's recent possession, they haven't created a chance for ten minutes or so, or even got in to a shooting position.

21. 17'

    Zamora manages to get a shot away after showing good strength to hold off Gilbert, but the defender does well to put a block in.

22. 18'

    Arsenal win a free-kick in a dangerous spot when Henry has his ankles clipped as he approached the penalty area.

23. 19'

    Van Persie takes the set-piece, but his shot is easily saved by Carroll.

24. 20'

    Gilbert requires some attention from the Arsenal physio after taking a knock in an earlier challenge with Zamora. It seems to be a problem with his ankle.

25. 21'

    West Ham will be happy that the score remains 0-0 after being put under a little pressure by the home side in the opening minutes.

26. 21'

    Etherington does well to rob Gilberto on the touchline. He plays the ball in to Harewood, but his pass is loose and intercepted in midfield.

27. 22'

    Benayoun opts to try and slide a cute pass in to Zamora on the edge of the area when he perhaps might have been better served with a shot.

28. 23'

    Ljungberg brilliantly chips a pass in to the path of Van Persie, but Ferdinand tracks back to rob the Dutchman as he was about to pull the trigger. Great defending.

29. 24'

    SHOT! Benayoun gets in a shot from the edge of the area, but Lehmann is down easily to save on his six-yard box.

30. 25'

    GOAL! Skipper Reo-Coker capitalises on a mis-kick by Campbell to race clear and slide a low shot under the body of Lehmann.

31. 26'

    Captain Reo-Coker's second Premiership goal came out-of-the-blue and has really shocked the home side, who were completely in control of the match.

32. 27'

    West Ham have become only the fourth club this season to score a Premiership goal at Highbury. Arsene Wenger looks disgusted on the touchline.

33. 28'

    ARSENAL SUB: Gilbert is replaced by Flamini. The young defender twisted his back in that challenge with Zamora, and is replaced by French midfielder Flamini.

34. 29'

    Konchesky is again alert enough to stop the threat of Ljungberg from the Arsenal left as the Swede attempted to take Pires' pass in his stride.

35. 30'

    There is a big shout from the Arsenal fans behind the goal as the ball strikes Konchesky on the arm as he deals with a cross inside the penalty area, though Referee Halsey rules 'no penalty'.

36. 31'

    GOAL! Zamora does superbly to out-muscle Campbell and curl a left-foot shot in to the top corner of Lehmann's goal.

37. 32'

    Well, well, well. An ex-Tottenham player has put West Ham in to a two-goal lead. They took an age to get going but are now in control of this game.

38. 33'

    Campbell is having a nightmare; Zamora just shoved him off the ball in the lead up to West Ham's second goal. He looks a shadow of the player he once was.

39. 34'

    And the Arsenal fans aren't very impressed with this performance either; the voices of discontent are audible at the moment.

40. 35'

    Henry almost manages to dance through three challenges on the edge of the penalty area, though Gabbidon eventually puts a crucial tackle in.

41. 36'

    It will be a very difficult half-time for Wenger if his side go in two goals down; West Ham will surely try to shut-up in the second half, in an effort to close the game out.

42. 37'

    West Ham, in truth, have defended quite well, after initially making a nervy start.

43. 38'

    Van Persie attempts to trick Gabbidon by flicking the ball past him on the corner of the box, but the Welsh defender is having none of it and makes a strong challenge.

44. 39'

    Arsenal win a free-kick, out on the left touchline. Campbell and Djourou trot forward from the back...

45. 40'

    Pires clips the free-kick in to the crowded penalty area, but Ferdinand rises highest to head clear.

46. 41'

    There is a lot of frustration around Highbury at the moment; the fans clearly don't like what they see from this young Arsenal side.

47. 42'

    Hammers' new signing Dean Ashton is watching from the bench; I wonder what he is making of it all. If things stay as they are, he might get his debut later in the evening.

48. 43'

    Ljungberg wins his side their fifth corner of the evening when his attempted cross is deflected behind by Konchesky.

49. 44'

    OFF THE LINE! Benayoun makes a crucial block on the line after a scramble in the box following Van Persie's corner.

50. 45'

    GOAL! Henry steals a goal back just before half-time, deflecting Pires' shot past three defenders on the goal-line.

51. 46'

    HALF-TIME: Arsenal manage to cut the difference to a single goal after an entertaining first half at Highbury. We should be set for a pulsating second 45 minutes. STAY HERE WITH US!

52. 45'

    ARSENAL SUB: Larsson replaces Campbell. Interesting change from Wenger. Campbell has had a shocker, but he now only has two defenders on the pitch.

53. 46'

    West Ham kick off the second period.

54. 47'

    Larsson seems to have taken up the left-back slot, with Senderos moving in to the middle of defence, alongside Djourou.

55. 48'

    The news from the Arsenal bench is that Campbell picked up an injury in the first half, though the club could not reveal what it was. How mysterious.

56. 49'

    The average age of Arsenal's current back four is just....20. Remarkable, no?

57. 49'

    SHOT! Diaby fires in a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Gabbidon is again out quickly to block.

58. 50'

    Van Persie's first-time pass releases Pires down the left, but his low cross is cut out inside the six-yard box.

59. 51'

    Etherington out-paces Flamini down the West Ham left, but his cross in to the near post is put behind for a corner by Djourou.

60. 52'

    Benayoun sends the corner in, but Lehmann collects easily at the near post.

61. 52'

    Gabbidon is booked for a little hack at the legs of Henry, 30 yards out. He takes the decision with good grace, and has a little chuckle with Henry about it afterwards. How pleasant. Like a tea-party.

62. 53'

    Van Persie's quick feet win his side their sixth corner of the night.

63. 53'

    Van Persie curls the ball in dangerously, and Hislop needs to get a desperate fist on the ball to punch it out from under his crossbar.

64. 54'

    It really is a very cold night tonight in north London; think Siberian labour-camp, and you'd be somewhere close to the conditions the players are working under.

65. 55'

    Ferdinand and Gabbidon have played very well in the centre of the defence for the visitors; Gabbidon has been brave and determined, and Ferdinand has shown great composure.

66. 56'

    Diaby links up well, first with Henry and then with Van Persie, though his final ball is a little too strong for the young Dutchman to get on the end of.

67. 57'

    Reo-Coker brings down Djourou on the half-way line. He is another who has played well this evening. Did you know he is the Premiership's youngest captain?

68. 58'

    Ljungberg almost slides a superb pass in to the feet of Van Persie, but Konchesky has tracked the run and slides the ball out for a throw.

69. 59'

    Zamora chases a hopeful ball down the left, holds off Flamini and sends a low cross in to the middle, but Harewood is forty yards off the pace and nowhere near the ball.

70. 59'

    Larsson is booked for a late challenge on Benayoun in midfield. Just 14 minutes in to his Premiership debut, the young Swede is shown the yellow card.

71. 60'

    Henry is brought down on the corner of the penalty area by a clumsy challenge from Ferdinand. No booking, to Henry's disgust, though the home side do have a free-kick in a very dangerous spot...

72. 60'

    Van Persie stands over the set-piece...

73. 61'

    JUST WIDE! Van Persie blasts the shot goalwards, but Gabbidon manages to get a boot on the ball and flick it just wide of the far post for a corner.

74. 62'

    More good defending from the West Ham back four as they manage to snuff out another Arsenal attack.

75. 63'

    Some news on Campbell; the England centre-back has been spotted walking out of Highbury, suited and showered. He will not be watching the rest of the game.

76. 64'

    Of course, there could be many reasons for Campbell leaving the ground, although he didn't seem to be carrying any injury.

77. 64'

    West Ham win a free-kick when Reo-Coker, on one of his lung-bursting runs, is brought down on the left flank.

78. 65'

    HENRY! The French striker beats Etherington inside the penalty area but curls a low shot narrowly wide of the far post, with Hislop beaten.

79. 66'

    WEST HAM SUB: Benayoun is replaced by Newton; a defensive change from Pardew, who brings on the more defensively-minded Newton to replace his playmaker.

80. 67'

    Senderos plays a good ball over the top for Van Persie to chase, but Konchesky robs him as he tries to cut inside on to his left foot.

81. 68'

    Arsenal are showing a lot of urgency as they search for this equaliser, but their final ball just isn't good enough at the moment.

82. 69'

    Arsenal are preparing another change, with Bergkamp stripped and ready to go on the touchline.

83. 70'

    ARSENAL SUB: Diaby is replaced by Bergkamp. The veteran striker comes on for the final twenty minutes to try and inspire Arsenal to find a leveller.

84. 71'

    More good defending on the edge of their own penalty area denies first Van Persie and then Henry a shooting chance.

85. 72'

    Henry just gets to a Ljungberg through ball before Hislop, but the Gunners skipper can't then find a team-mate with his pass.

86. 73'

    Van Persie is annoyed not to win a free-kick after having his shirt pulled by Clarke.

87. 74'

    WEST HAM SUB: Ashton replaces Zamora; the former Norwich striker comes on to make his Hammers debut after signing for the club last week.

88. 75'

    Bergkamp tries to roll a pass in to the path of Henry, breaking in to the area, but Ferdinand intercepts at the crucial moment.

89. 76'

    Gilberto makes a rare run in to the penalty area and wins his side their tenth corner.

90. 77'

    WEST HAM SUB: Clarke is replaced by Fletcher; the former Stoke player takes an age to leave the field and is replaced by versatile midfielder Fletcher.

91. 78'

    Despite Arsenal having a lot of the ball, Hislop hasn't really been forced in to making many saves in this second half.

92. 78'

    Harewood feels himself unlucky not to win a penalty as he and Senderos chase down a long ball in to the area.

93. 78'

    Harewood and Lehmann are then involved in a slight altercation off the ball; the Arsenal goalkeeper appeared to try and step over Harewood, who lay on the ground, but just caught him on the back of the head with his knee. The referee takes no action.

94. 79'

    West Ham are doing a good job of wasteing as much time as they can in an effort to see out this match and close in on a great win.

95. 79'

    GOAL! Etherington slides home from 12 yards after Reo Coker had robbed Larsson on the right. Pires does his best to keep the ball out on the goal-line, but succeeds only in slamming it in to the top corner.

96. 80'

    It has been a real smash-and-grab by the Hammers, but Arsenal's defending has been attrocious tonight.

97. 81'

    Henry attempts an audacious over-head kick after controlling a bouncing ball inside the penalty area, but his effort flies narrowly wide of the far post.

98. 82'

    Konchesky matches Ljungberg stride-for-stride before showing good strength to hold the winger off the ball and clear the danger on the Hammers left flank.

99. 83'

    West Ham win a corner and the chance to waste a little more time as Etherington and Harewood combine well down the Hammers left.

100. 84'

     There will be plenty of soul-searching required by Arsenal over the next couple of days; they have not played well at all tonight, and this defeat leaves them really struggling in the Premiership.

101. 85'

     Some committed defending from Gabbidon and Ferdinand deny Henry the chance to shoot from close range.

102. 86'

     WHAT A SAVE! Pires and Henry combine on the edge of the penalty area, but Hislop gets down to make a superb low save to turn Pires' shot wide of the post for a corner.

103. 87'

     Arsenal have three weeks to drag themselves up and improve their defence before they face Real Madrid in the Champions League.

104. 88'

     Etherington again beats Flamini for pace down the right and feeds a good cross in to the middle towards Harewood, but the off-side flag stops the move in its tracks.

105. 89'

     GOAL! Arsenal grab a late lifeline. Bergkamp smashes a low volley in towards the near post, where Hislop makes a good low save. Unfortunately for the Hammers keeper, the ball drops to Pires who slots home.

106. 90'

     Arsenal don't really deserve a point from this match, and if West Ham can hold on for four additional minutes, they won't get one.

107. 91'

     It's ten men behind the ball for West Ham at the moment as Arsenal win a corner.

108. 92'

     Arsenal are knocking the ball direct in an effort to get the ball up-field quickly, but West Ham are doing a good job of mopping up the loose pieces.

109. 94'

     FULL-TIME: A dreadful defensive performance costs Arsenal dear as West Ham net three counter-attack goals to seal a great victory. Problems for Wenger; delight for Pardew.

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