Thursday 26 December 2013

Hammers edge it in tight encounter: The West ArseHam XI


Ahead of today's Premier league clash between West Ham and Arsenal we reflect upon those players who have graced both clubs with their endeavours – the ‘ ArseHam United XI’.  We give our verdict on which club got the better shift from these players during their spells at the clubs.
 

Almost claimed the Gooner's stopper spot but unfortunately prone to wobbly moments and fell down the pecking order. Played a mere filler role for the Hammers  on loan two years ago before Arsenal sold him to Watfordwhere he has nailed down the stopper position. Verdict Gooner.

Never made it at Arsenal but has thrived at the Hammers since arriving three years ago after a decade in the Bundesliga and looks set to see out his career in East London. Strong and competitive right back, he has yet to score for the Bubbles despite regular swashbuckling forays up the right wing.  Verdict Hammer.

Part of the legendary Gooners ‘tight-arse’ back four. Immensely competitive with an excellent positional sense he amassed multiple honours at Highbury until the legs started to give. Hammers got a decent twilight shift for two and a half seasons. Verdict Gooner.

Fell out of favour at the Arsenal and despite injuries problems was a tenacious performer in the Hammers midfield and was player of the season in 1988. These days he works as a popular football pundit on Talksport and Arsenal TV. Verdict Hammer

Solid defender who started at Spurs, moved to the Arse but had his best period at West Ham where he spent 6 years and was a useful part of the much fabled boys of '86 side. Now a Successful coach, currently with the Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane at the Republic of Ireland. Verdict:  Hammer.

Didn’t quite make the grade at Arsenal but blossomed at Birmingham and was a solid performer at the Hammers for two seasons before his confidence seemed to dip and it was off to Stoke and now with Brighton. Verdict Hammer.

Arsenal legend. Gifted with a cultured left foot and remarkably hard to dispossess. After 7 years at Highbury he moved to Juventus where he was a huge success. Enjoyed two and a half years at the Boleyn where he still had plenty to offer including a sweet strike against the Gooners in a 3-1 Hammers win in 1987. Verdict Gooner.
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Part of an awesome Gooners unit that pillaged all afore them. However, the Hammers got stung by a well past it pro who was simply squeezing another (expensive) season from a gullible Icelandic-led Hammers.He moved on to the US, Scotland and Japan before retiring to become a full time posing model. Verdict: Gooner.

Legend. Gooners enjoyed endless years of watching 'Wrighty' scoring for fun. Nowadays works as a Fabtastic pundit – albeit underused due to his earnest volatility! Hammers were privileged to enjoy a period in his twilight that was also pretty productive. Verdict Gooner.

Back when he had pace and a hunger mostly for football, big John was a right handful but couldn't nail down a place in a formidable Gooners squad and moved East. Good scoring record and capable of all sorts of mayhem due to his considerable physicality. Hammers got the better shift by far. Verdict : Hammer.

A graduate of the Ajaz youth system, Yossi first plied his Premiership trade at the Boleyn and was a big hit before going on tour to Chelsea, liverpool and a pointless period at the Emirates.  returned briefly to West ham before jumping on tha QPR dosh bandwagon for a nice little earner before he retires. Verdict Hammer.
Total
Hammers 6 Gooners 5: West Ham nick it, just like today (?!?!!)
Substitutes: Bobby Gould, Maroanne Chamakh; Lee Chapman; Henri Lansbury; Kaba Diawara.

1 comment:

  1. you will conceed 5 allright but you wont score at all never mind six

    ReplyDelete

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