The troubles started at the warm-up – check it out!

Niall McDonald – the CandH ratings man kept a very close eye on the pre-match warm ups before tonight’s game after noticing the Spurs preparation was a lot more intense than West Ham’s a couple of weeks back.

Wondering if it was a one off he took another look this evening – here’s what he saw!

19:15 – I arrive at the stadium and find Arsenal all out already, first team and subs underway with their warm-ups
19:25 – our team emerges…
19:30 – the activity starts with some gentle jogging, while Arsenal are in a session of sharp, close passing
19:35 – we pair off and begin a sequence of gentle passing back and forth
19:37 – our subs stroll out onto the pitch and start a very relaxed exercise of standing in a circle about  2 yards from each other and passing the ball around – I’m reminded of doing similar with my son when he was about 5
19:39 – first team get together again on the far side for some stretches and some close passing. Down the other end, Arsenal are now set up in full formation practising building from the back, spreading the wide and then into the box for the attackers to finish
19:42 – Arsenal practising ‘full back overlapping his wide player’ moves
19:43 – Balbuena and Ogbonna are now clipping 45 yard long balls to each other. Noble and Rice busy doing the same. I notice Fredericks doesn’t seem to have anyone to pass to
19:45 – Antonio and the other attackers practising shots, all taking them from a central position, 20 yards from goal – how many of these situations will arise in the game?
19:46 – First team now doing some sharp shuttle runs, subs doing some very gentle stretches. Arsenal still raining shots in on their goal
19:47 – And that’s it! We’re off back to the changing rooms after, what, 20 mins??!!!
19:50 – Arsenal head back into the warm as well, having been out for pretty much twice as long and doing a sight more when they were out there

Result – more and more defensive mistakes in the second half and a lack of energy and enthusiasm from a tiring Hammers team.

I rest my case!