Arsenal and West Ham United are set to lock horns in Saturday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are in fine form, having scored eight goals and conceded just one in their two games after the international break.
Meanwhile, the Hammers are now unbeaten in their last two and picked up a confidence-boosting 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Monday.
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has now predicted how Arsenal and West Ham will fare when they face off in North London.
Bukayo Saka is scoring from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium in Stratford...
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Chris Sutton backs Arsenal to run out 1-0 winners over West Ham
Sutton, writing on BBC Sport, says West Ham will be “buoyed” by their win over Newcastle, a result that Julen Lopetegui needed.
However, the pundit believes Arsenal are now a “different proposition” with Martin Odegaard back and firing on all cylinders.
William Saliba described Odegaard as one of the best midfielders in the world after his return to form proved the catalyst for Arsenal’s impressive recent results.
Sutton backed the Gunners captain to make the difference and help Mikel Arteta’s side record a 1-0 win against the Hammers.
“Julen Lopetegui really needed Monday’s win at Newcastle after a difficult start as West Ham boss,” wrote Sutton.
“He and his side will be buoyed by that but this is not a good time to be playing Arsenal, who are purring again now Martin Odegaard is back from injury.
“The Gunners were not in great form without Odegaard, but he makes them a different proposition and I am going to say he will make the difference in a very tight game.”
Arsenal v West Ham team news
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes will face a late fitness test after he was forced to come off during the Champions League win over Sporting CP.
Meanwhile, Gunners full-backs Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu both remain sidelined with knee issues.
However, fellow defender Kieran Tierney was back in the matchday squad against Sporting after five months out with a hamstring injury.
West Ham have Edson Alvarez back after he completed a two-match suspension, while Mohammed Kudus will serve the last of a five-game ban.
Niclas Fullkrug will be assessed ahead of kick-off after missing the last nine Premier League games due to an injury in his calf and Achilles area.
Lopetegui will not be on the touchline for West Ham’s match after he picked up his third yellow card of the season in the win at Newcastle.
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