West Ham are getting ready to face a resurgent Arsenal side at the London Stadium, with both teams buoyant after recent wins.
Julen Lopetegui remains in a strange place, as West Ham’s inconsistent form took a new turn, albeit a positive one last Monday. The Hammers went to St James Park to take on an in-form Newcastle United side and came away with all three points courtesy of goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
This result was not expected by their own fans, who saw their team struggle to break an Everton side at the London Stadium a week prior. Hence, West Ham under Lopetegui are entering a phase where one cannot predict the outcome of their games, as they have lost where they were expected to win and vice versa.
Either way, Saturday’s last game will see the Hammers take on Arsenal at the London Stadium, and this will be a true test of character for Lopetegui. A win against the Gunners will assert the belief that the Hammers are beginning a good run, although the players will remember what happened the last time the Gunners paid a visit here.
In that game last season at the London Stadium, Arsenal scored six past a hapless West Ham side, including a stunner from former Hammer Declan Rice. Gunners fans will remember that game as a statement of intent from Mikel Arteta’s men, as that win was part of a solid run from the team in the title challenge.
Arsenal has faced adversity in recent weeks, suffering away losses in the Premier League and the Champions League. However, Arteta’s side have responded in a big way following back-to-back wins in both competitions. They swept aside Nottingham Forest last weekend before securing a stellar 5-1 reverse win away at Sporting CP.
While the table states they are nine points behind runaway leaders Liverpool, the season is still young, and a lot of changes could happen in the next phase. Arteta emphasised the need to get a win on Saturday and watch the Liverpool-Man City game with comfort rather than in an anxious mood, as Arsenal will target yet another win in the Premier League and hope their title rivals drop points on Sunday.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
Lopetegui encountered fresh problems from their win over Newcastle United, as defender Jean-Clair Todibo hobbled off in the second half. There needs to be clarity on whether the Frenchman will be able to start on Saturday, as former Arsenal defender Dinos Mavropanos is in line to replace him and start for the Hammers.
Edson Alvarez should also return to the squad, although Lopetegui is likely to start him as Soucek, Lucas Paqueta, and Carlos Soler did enough on Monday to retain their places in the team. In terms of absentees, Mohammed Kudus continues to serve his long ban following how he was sent off against Tottenham. At the same time, striker Niclas Fullkrug remains absent with an injury.
The Hammers are not expected to make too many changes, as Lopetegui will rely on the work rate of Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen up front. Crysencio Summerville will continue to start on the left wing in the absence of Kudus, as Mavropanos might be the only enforced change to the West Ham starting lineup.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Paqueta; Bowen, Soler, Summerville; Antonio
Arsenal
Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of key defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who went off against Sporting CP after a stellar defensive performance. Arteta later described the problem as discomfort, and the Brazilian is expected to feature at the back on Saturday.
All eyes will be on Arteta to see whether he surprises the fans with his selections, much like last weekend when the Spaniard rested a host of key stars. Considering how things went in midfield and the team coming through largely unscathed, most of those who played against Sporting are about to start at the London Stadium.
As things stand, Arteta will likely name an unchanged lineup, although he will focus on in-game rotation, keeping the midweek Manchester United game in mind. Hence, the likelihood of a Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Rice midfield seems like the way for the manager.
Similarly, he had started Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus last weekend, and while the dupo have done nothing to suggest they cannot start another game, Arteta is likely to retain his front three from midweek. This means that Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are in line to start up front alongside starman Bukayo Saka.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Key Stats
West Ham are unbeaten in their last 3 Premier League games at the London Stadium.
West Ham have only lost one of their last 4 games against Arsenal in all competitions.
Arsenal are undefeated in 27 of their last 30 matches in the Premier League.
Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 away matches against West Ham in all competitions.
Arsenal has lost only two of its last 26 Premier League London derbies since the start of the 2022-23 campaign.
Player to Watch
Bukayo Saka
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The Arsenal star has been in scintillating form since last weekend, getting a goal and an assist in the two games played since the international break. His performance against Forest was particularly intriguing, as the winger produced a display that their defenders could not handle.
He did have a memorable outing at the London Stadium last time out, scoring a brace, as Saka will hope for a similar performance. The backline on his side consisting of Emerson and Kilman might find it hard to stop the winger, as Saka will be the player to watch in this edition of the London Derby between West Ham and Arsenal.
Prediction
West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal
The Hammers went away to St James Park and produced a good performance, but when it comes to home form, they have seemed a bit under pressure, as was evident in the clash against Everton. Hence, Lopetegui’s side could need help to contain the fluidity of this Gunners side on Saturday.
Arsenal are coming into this clash after two huge wins, scoring eight goals in the process. All their departments are working rather efficiently now, so there’s nothing to suggest the Gunners will not return with all three points, as there could be another goal-laden display from Arteta’s side.