Tonight’s game against West Ham was a game that I really thought we would win. We had to.

Although it cannot be denied that West Ham are experiencing a solid run of form, 11 points from their first six games is a clear indication that this game would not be easy.

But despite the fact that on paper, the teams looked like they would provide an adequate match, the quality in our team always looked likely to out perform an Allardyce team.

Big Sam’s at it again

It has been a while since we’ve played a Sam Allardyce team, and it’s not a fixture Arsenal fans have ever looked forward to.

We guessed what we were likely to receive and no doubt we got it. Long ball after long ball after long ball, the same thing every time, this was made more worrying by our seeming inability to defend balls flying into the box.

Another element we had to deal with was the fact that West Ham actually had a striker with some talent in the form of Andy Carroll.

Despite the route one football and the time wasting after 14 minutes (I made note of it), we dealt very well with the horrendous football Allardyce insists on playing.

Their only goal of the game was a result of a missed interception by Ramsey and a very smart finish courtesy of Diame.

That’s why he plays for France

For me the best moment in tonight’s game was Olivier Giroud’s arrival on the Premier League scene.  I can honestly say I had not yet given up on the big Frenchman and my faith has been rewarded.

Giroud has already shown that he is superb with his back to goal; his hold up play is immaculate.

But tonight we saw him do the job he was brought in to do, score goals.  His finish was immaculate and the vital nature of the goal will be an immense boost to his confidence.

Super Sub

If Giroud’s goal was my highlight of the game, then Theo Walcott’s contribution was the turning point.

Gervinho wasn’t having his best game when he was subbed off and it was clear to everybody that Theo was the man to come on.  When it became clear he was coming on, the excitement in the room around me instantly picked up.

Despite, Theo’s situation being anything but healthy at the moment, it is evident that he loves the club and is on a mission to prove a point.  His goal was superb and his assist for Cazorla’s goal was equally impressive.

Despite his performance being twice as good as Gervinho’s, I’m not sure he should start ahead of him.  I honestly think Theo’s pace and energy make him perfectly suited to coming on at a time when the opposition are tiring, that’s what he did tonight and he made them pay.

Lucky Lucky West Ham

Despite the East Londoner’s eventual demise, the tale could have been much worse for the Hammers and I will now highlight three refereeing decisions that could have turned out differently.

Firstly, Diame made a very clumsy challenge on Arteta in the first half that no doubt would have resulted in a yellow if he had not already been booked for a silly celebration.  Although the circumstances surrounding the first yellow would have made it a harsh decision rules are rules, he should have gone.

Secondly Aaron Ramsey was brought down in the box that could easily have resulted in a penalty.  It wasn’t a clear-cut penalty, but the reverse camera angle showed that  Ramsey was tackled unfairly.

The final and perhaps most appalling event in the match was Ricardo Vaz Te’s clash with Vito Mannone.  Although it was Vaz Te who came out of the incident worse, the collision should never have happened and Vaz Te did appear to leave his foot in the challenge when perhaps he could have jumped over the challenge.

Overall the game resulted in a comfortable victory for the Gunners and last season I honestly fell we might not have squeezed three points out of a well-drilled Allardyce team in good form.  A good win and should be the start of a promising run for the Arsenal.

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