With three games to go in the Premier League season, Arsenal head to Stratford and the London Stadium to face a West Ham United side fighting for their top-flight lives.
Hammers a thorn in the side of Arsenal in title races
West Ham have proven to be difficult opponents for Arsenal in the three years they have been competing for the Premier League title.
In 2022/23, West Ham came from 2-0 down to save a 2-2 draw. That result would ultimately contribute to the Gunners throwing away the title.
In 2023/24, the Hammers secured a 2-0 win at the Emirates, which would eventually prove crucial as Arsenal missed out on the league by two points.
Last season, Jarrod Bowen’s header saw West Ham win 1-0 in North London, halting yet another title push from the Gunners.
While history has proven that today will be a tough occasion, the added factor of **West Ham**’s fight for survival will make this an even tougher occasion for Arsenal.
The biggest game since the last one
For Arsenal, there is an argument to suggest that this is the biggest game the Gunners have played since Tuesday (May 5th) semi-final win in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.
Three points for the Gunners would move them five points clear once again, and put them within two wins of a first Premier League title in 22 years.
Many believe that it is the hardest game left in their run-in, with a relegated Burnley at home, and a Crystal Palace side with the Europa Conference League Final to come on the final day.
Scoring at will at the London Stadium
Since West Ham moved into their Stratford home back in 2016, Arsenal have failed to score two goals or more in a fixture there on only 2 occasions (0-0 17/18, 1-0 18/19)
In their last two visits, Arsenal have enjoyed high-scoring outings: a 5-2 win in November 2024 included racing to a 4-0 lead within 35 minutes, then conceding twice in a minute before Bukayo Saka's injury-time penalty secured the result.
23/24 is probably the most standout victory. Arsenal went there after a crucial 3-1 win at home to Liverpool, and bearing in mind what had happened the year prior, there were a few nerves. The Gunners diminished that by scoring 6 goals in half an hour, including being 4-0 up at half-time with a quarter of goals in 13 minutes.
Manchester City’s 3-3 draw at Everton earlier in the week means that goal difference currently is not the decider, but anything but a win could be disastrous for Arsenal’s title hopes.