ONE year ago Danny Gabbidon was plying his trade at Ninian Park
with Cardiff City at the wrong end of the Championship table. This
Saturday the Welsh international will take his place in the Hammers
back four to face the might of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.
"To play against them will be fantastic," said Danny.
"We're playing well and always looking to play football, they're one of the best passing teams in the league so it should be a good game. All the lads are looking forward to it and hopefully we can put in a good performance.
"It's going to be a very tough game and probably the biggest test of our season so far, but it is one we're looking forward to and obviously with the results that have gone previously we are very confident and think we can get another good result."
Danny has certainly made the transition to Premiership life look easy, but in reality it's required a lot of hard work. The efforts are obviously paying off and the defender can be rightly proud of his performances so far.
"It's been tough," he confessed. "Every team you play is tough, you get a different proposition every weekb, and when you play international football as well you have to come back and play against top opposition.
"The games have been hard but I've been fairly pleased with how I've played so far and I can still play a lot better, so I'll be looking to improve as the season continues.
"My aim when I came here was to try and get myself into the team and I've done that. Now the next thing is to try and stay in the team and play well.
"I've been pleased with how it has gone, obviously I haven't played with Anton before so we've had to learn each other's game quite quickly.
"There are still things to improve on but we're both happy with how it's gone so far."
Danny wasn't the only arrival from across the Severn Bridge however, James Collins also joined from Cardiff at the same time to bolster the Welsh contingent at Upton Park.
"The first couple of weeks when you come to a new club are always tough, but we had each other and it's been helpful.
"It helps having a team mate around as it's a little less scary and we just try and look after each other really."
"I've found a house now as well but haven't moved in yet, but hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be sorted out.
"That's one of the main stresses out of the way, so once I can get into the house I can settle down and concentrate on the football."
Danny has played all but seven minutes of West Ham United's Premiership campaign so far but his Welsh compatriot is pushing him all the way for a place in Pards' side after a fine display in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.
"He's a top player, and there's Elliot Ward as well, so there are four of us competing for two first-team places.
"Whoever is in the team has to play well because there's someone breathing down your neck to take your place.
"It's good competition and we all get on well so we all try to learn from each other."
The cup is also an area where Danny feels the Hammers can do well and is eager for a good cup run.
"I don't see why not," he said. "It's a nice distraction from the league sometimes.
"The gaffer would like to win something as well, he thinks we can do well in a cup competition. Every game we play we try and win, so that's the approach we'll be taking on Saturday."