Arsenal's bubble burst
West Ham 2 Arsenal 1
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Arsenal's post-Barcelona bubble burst - on a ground where everyone is seemingly forever blowin' bubbles. And one where they usually come away with something.
Eastern Spain is a long way from East London, and on this day, they came away with a belly-load of disciplinary problems, as Paddy Vieira was given two yellows for allegedly fouling Di Canio in a couple of incidents which saw the Italian sprawling on the ground. A bit of afters with Ruddock and an alleged incident in the tunnel with a policeman, made a bad situation far, far worse. The police are filing a report, and the FA will most probably step in.
What the officials didn't see were several off the ball incidents, clearly designed to wind up the Frenchman in particular, and Arsenal in general. Lomas's illegal use of his elbows was outrageous - and makes a mockery of any attempt at fair refereeing.
Had Suker had a good day, it could have been 3-1. But it wasn't. And Arsenal again showed their vulnerabilty when a skilled footballer runs at them.
Arsenal had most of the possession. But had no answer when Di Canio picked up the ball on the half way line and began his sharp angled twists and turns. It was as if the match transformed into a surreal pin-ball game, as with the aid of around four or five deflections, he beat five players, before a lucky rebound saw the ball run into Sinclair's path near the goal line.
Seaman rushed out - and yet another deflection saw the ball go dangerously across the goal. Even when Di Canio popped the ball in, their was an element of luck.
Arsenal put out what could become their post-Euro team. Silvinho and Luzhny for Dixon and Winterburn. Henry and Lungjberg, for Overmars and Parlour, and Suker starting instead of Kanu.
Henry, sporting a new haircut, and looking a bit like his mate Nicolas Anelka, looked fit and speedy, winning an early corner. Soon after he cut inside, no doubt thinking about his central striking role and fired in a low curler which Hislop saved.
Vieira, cut out half the West Ham side with a through ball. Suker, with only Hislop to beat, managed it, but for the goalkeeper's inside leg.
Di Canio, before his goal had already served warning of his dangerous unpredictability, when he took a free kick to the near post, when most were expecting it the other side.
At the start of the second Dennis Bergkamp broke through and sent a low ball across the goal, which Suker was within an inch of converting. And then the Croat set up the Bergkamp, but he was fractionally offside.
Silvinho, who looks better and better with every game, went on a run which set up Suker. However, he opted to shoot with his left, which cut down the angle considerably - and it hit the side netting.
It was time for Arsene's switch - Kanu and Overmars, for Ljungberg and Henry.
But again, like the Villa match, when Merson juggled the ball four times to set up Joachim, Arsenal's defence showed vulnerability when Di Canio, lifted it past Keown and cooly finished in Seaman's top corner. It was again against the run of play.
Arsenal pulled one back, when Lomas headed the ball straight to Suker, who fired this one in - with his left.
Foe who had already been booked came through Bergkamp from behind - and saw red.
Bergkamp was put through at the death - one on one with Hislop. But as against Solna, he fired it too close to the keeper, who pulled off a save.
Arsene Wenger said:"some of the yellows were deserved. Some weren't. [Vieira's] second yellow was ridiculous. The player dived."
Harry Redknapp said:"It's always a bit special to beat Arsenal. They are a fantastic side. They've got good players who are always going to have chances. But we battled and worked hard."
We haven't heard the last of this match.
IG