Jesus said in a parable “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone” in Psalms 118 verse 22. This was clearly demonstrated by Arsene Wenger last weekend, after signing Peter Chec over the summer he was instrumental in breaking the 13 winless drought against Chec’s old boss Jose Mourinho. A superb strike from Ox-laid Chamberlain was enough to allow Arsene Wenger for the first time ever, to claim victory over Jose Mourinho after amazingly trying for 14 times! Never say never!
The 65-year-old Frenchman, whose last contact extension will take him up to the summer of 2017, still has the appetite for more success following almost a decade without silverware before back-to-back FA Cup successes.
Heading into the season opener against West Ham United at the Emirate Stadium, Arsenal have a good form and they are bubbling with confidence. They have a great winning streak from Asia, the Emirates Cup and Wembley.
Arsenal won the Community Shield without Alexis Sanchez, Tomas Rosicky, Calum Chambers, David Ospina, Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Flamini or Danny Welbeck in the squad; while players like Mathieu Debuchy and Gabriel didn’t even get off the bench. It means that there’s a depth of squad that hasn’t been there in seasons past, something that Arsenal has failed to do since their invincible 2004 season, which obviously gave the fans and manager headaches.
Former Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has warned Arsenal that his West Ham side will be ready to spring an opening weekend surprise and they should not be taken lightly. Bilic has strengthened West Ham by bringing in the likes of Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet and Angelo Ogbonna — the latter pair both commanding eight-figure transfer fees — as well as re-signing Arsenal’s right back Carl Jenkinson on a season long loan. Another name formerly from the Arsenal camp who could yet return to the club is Alex Song. The Barcelona midfielder was another player who spent last year on loan with the Hammers but the Cameroon international could make that move permanent — with only a niggling injury delaying the move.
Arsenal have won their last 10 league and cup games against West Ham, including nine Premier League matches. The Hammers did the double over the Gunners in 2006-07 but since then are winless in 15 league and cup games (D2, L13) against them. The Gunners have lost their opening Premier League game just once in the last 14 seasons (W9, D4) – a 3-1 home defeat by Aston Villa in 2013. However, they have begun with a victory just once in the past five years, albeit against Crystal Palace last term. Olivier Giroud who is set to start has scored five goals in five top-flight games against West Ham, while Theo Walcott has also scored five times against the Hammers.
The Hammers on the other hand with some shocking stats will hope to turn things around. West Ham have lost nine times on the opening weekend of a Premier League season – more than any other club. They won nine of their first 17 Premier League games last season, but just three of the subsequent 21. West Ham are winless in 12 Premier League away games (D5, L7) since a 2-1 victory at West Brom on 2 December 2014. Dimitri Payet, who has joined from Marseille, created 135 chances in 2014-15 – the highest figure in the top five European leagues. With all the stats behind both teams grab a drink an enjoy the fanfare spectacle at the Emirates.
COACHES CORNER
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
“We won the FA Cup last year and we finished third in the Premier League so our target is very high.
“Our ambition is to win the Premier League but we have to sustain that by performance and fighting spirit in every single game.
“Before we suffered sometimes from the fact that at the start of the season nobody considered us at all because we lost our best players. That period is over now so we are happy to be under this kind of pressure.”
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic:
“We have a big season ahead of us which starts on Sunday. We are going to be good in the Premier League. I am very confident about that.”
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