Robert Green insists that today's mouth-watering
clash against Arsenal is not only a chance for Hammers to test
themselves against the likes of Thierry Henry and co, but also
carry on what they started with the win over Blackburn last
weekend.
The Hammers goalkeeper, who is set to make his fourth start for the
first team against the Gunners, says that both the victory against
Rovers and the lessons learned in recent weeks should stand them in
good stead for the clash with the North Londoners.
He said: "Every game in the Premiership is a great game,
that's how you look at it, but this is one of those in
particular and we go into it boosted by the result we got last
week.
"We can certainly take the confidence that has been generated
from the victory and will be giving it our all."
"Of course, Arsenal have some top class players, but at the
end of the day it will be a level playing field out there in that
it's their 11 men against ours.
"Henry, Fabregas, it's a great challenge and you want to
play against the best, that's what it's all about.
"But you don't have fear, we will go out there to play our
game. Looking at Arsenal's recent results, they haven't
perhaps, got as many points as they would have liked, including
their Champions League game in the week. For me, that's
something you can look to take advantage of I feel and we will
certainly be going out with that aim."
The match will also mean a chance for Robert to catch up with
Arsenal physio Gary Lewin, who is also part of the England set-up
and gave good advice to Robert when he suffered his groin injury
while on international duty in the summer.
Robert says: "The England staff, including Gary, were top
class for me when I got the injury and the way they responded was a
great consolation for me at the time. You are feeling low and not
only do they help you in the practical sense, but really help to
get you feeling positive in the way you deal with it and Gary was
part of that.
"It will be nice to see him, because since then a lot of
things have happened, especially to me, I have recovered from the
injury and moved to West Ham. I will probably see him after the
game, hopefully after what will be a good result for us."
As a goalkeeper, one of the main aims is to keep clean sheets and,
while Robert will be going out to try and make sure it happens, he
says the most important thing is playing his part in helping the
team get a good result.
"I just want to play my best and help out in any way I can
that will lead to the best result for West Ham," he says.
"I feel I have done okay in the games, obviously we want to
keep a clean sheet in every match, but it's about getting the
results at the moment to lift us out of the position we're in.
"The win over Blackburn has gone a long way to doing that, but
we have to take it another step further now. The challenge is to
try and go one better all the time for the team.
"Each game that comes along, you must be ready for that
opportunity to play and push yourself that bit more. Hopefully that
will lead to success for West Ham as a team on the pitch.
"The belief has never gone from the team even when the results
weren't going for us. Together with the the staff and people
around us, the confidence was still there that we could get out of
it.
"As a player, you have to lift yourself because at the end of
the day, you are ultimately the only ones that can go out there and
do what is needed. There's no question about the ability and
talent we have in the squad and it has been a case of just sticking
together and keep encouraging each other.
"I think this showed in our win over Blackburn and this was a
boost that has carried onto training this week and into our
preparations for the Arsenal game."
by Laura Burkin