Well that was a perfectly happy new year. A good Arsenal performance comfortably saw us beat West Ham with an easy 2-0 win. It could’ve been more but we took the foot off the pedal in the second half and after two early goals we simply kept the clean sheet to take the points. After losing this tie last season it was important to right that wrong and keep our position in the title race.

We haven’t had some great performances recently but the first half today was fantastic. Cesc Fabregas has lost some form in the previous games but what a difference he makes to the team when he plays well and that’s exactly what he did today. He got a great assist inside 2 minutes when we scored our first though Eduardo. It’s Da Silva’s 3rd in two games and showed Wenger he was right to hand him his starting place today. The ball was whipped in from just right of the box, Eddy took it on the chest and shot across goal giving Green no chance and it was 1-0 very early on.

We’d started really well and were really putting pressure on West Ham, we were attacking and attacking and it looked like we’d have this game sorted very quickly. West Ham were having chances of their own though, they got a couple of corners, one of which was saved on the line. Ljungberg had a shot but Almunia got to it pretty comfortably.

We doubled our lead in the 18th minute. It was Clichy with another great long ball from deep to start the move. Adebayor got his run right and nodded it past Green then slotted it in at the hardest of angles. It’s quite amazing how he managed to steer that in so fair play to him. 2-0 up inside 20 minutes and cruising.

We carried on much the same for the rest of the half. Had a few decent attacks and a good shout for a penalty. In the end we went in at half time two up confident that we’d secure the game in the second 45.

We really let the foot off the pedal in the second half. We were very, very comfortable in the game and there was no point in stressing ourselves. We had a few chances in the second half. Eduardo had a header at the back post, it went just wide but it was hard for him to steer it in especially when he was being held back. Rosicky had a good chance nearer the end when he had just the ‘keeper to beat but the ball was just out of his reach and the danger was over.

We saw Theo Walcott come on in the second half for Eduardo. It was nice to see him back, he didn’t do loads to be honest but he’ll get his moment to shine later in the month in the Carling Cup I expect. Hleb was rested as I guessed but came on for Eboue in the 77th minute. I have been told that Wenger was very unhappy with Eboue’s diving antics after the Pompey game and was dropped for the trip to Everton. When Eboue dived in the second half today he was immediately subbed for Alex and you could see Arsene having a little word in his ear.

Well it finished up 2-0, could’ve been more but it doesn’t really matter, we took the three points. As did Man U and Chelsea so the win was important today. A nice way to start the year, a good performance and a comfortable win. Next up it’s Burnley in the cup on Sunday, I might be going, not sure yet. Build up for that game to come. Thanks for reading.