🤕 Team news
Arsenal (source - Arsenal FC)
Bukayo Saka is a doubt. According to Arteta, the 19-year-old could even miss the upcoming internationals if he doesn't pass the fitness test.
Willian could have to miss the game with a tight calf.
West Ham (source - West Ham FC)
Pablo Fornals, Angelo Ogbonna, Ryan Fredericks, Arthur Masuaku and Andriy Yarmolenko are sidelined.
📝 Possible lineups
Arsenal's probable XI (source - West Ham FC)
- With Auba's scoring form far from being impressive, he is shifted to the left to accommodate Laca.
- Odegaard starts as a no. 10 as he seems to have established himself as a lynchpin.
- Martinelli has proved he's full of energy and desire to play and deserves his place in the line-up.
- Xhaka and Partey are an undisputed first-choice duo at the base of midfield.
- Mari and Holding replace Gabriel and David Luiz as a part of Arteta's rotation routine with Tierney and Cedric starting at left-back and right-back respectively.
West Ham's probable XI
Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Lanzini, Lingard; Antonio.
🔍 Stats you need to know (BBC)
Head-to-head
- West Ham have lost 32 of the 49 previous Premier League encounters, winning eight and drawing nine.
- The Hammers have won just three of the past 24 home league meetings.
- Arsenal could register a 12th Premier League double over West Ham, more than against any other side.
West Ham United
- West Ham could lose consecutive league games for the first time since their opening two matches this season. The second of those defeats came against Arsenal.
- They have earned eight league victories in 2021, second only to leaders Manchester City.
- The Hammers have won five of their past six Premier League home matches, including the last three in a row.
- They last won four consecutive top-flight home fixtures in May 2002, under the late Glenn Roeder.
- This is only the fourth time West Ham have faced Arsenal when above them in the table; they are winless in the previous three.
- David Moyes has won just four of his 31 league fixtures against Arsenal, drawing eight and losing 19.
Arsenal
- Arsenal have 20 away points so far this term - equalling last season's entire tally.
- They have lost eight of 14 games against fellow sides who start the weekend in the top 10, winning five and drawing one.
- The Gunners have conceded at least once in each of their past seven league matches.
- All five of their most recent league losses, dating back to December, have been by a single-goal margin.
- Arsenal have claimed 13 points from London league derbies, more than any other side this season.
- Alexandre Lacazette has scored four goals in his past five league appearances versus West Ham, including in his last two.
🔮 Predictions
Mark Lawrenson (BBC): 1-1
"This feels like a big game for West Ham, as a test of their top-four aspirations, and I think the underlying message from their manager David Moyes will be 'let's not lose it'. All his side need to do is stay in the mix.
"Moyes did not quite get the balance right last week when West Ham lost at Old Trafford, so he might tweak a few things to ensure they offer more of a threat.
"It will be interesting to see how Arsenal approach it too. They were attack-minded against Tottenham last week, and were rewarded with the three points."
Michael Owen (Betvictor): 1-1
"Premier League high-flyers West Ham were unlucky to leave Old Trafford empty-handed last week. Although, when all is said and done, the defeat will be looked upon as a small blot on what otherwise has been an excellent season.
"Despite losing on the night, Arsenal arrive here after falling to a 1-0 defeat at home to Olympiacos. That will have frustrated Gunners fans and although there is no real harm done, losing is never great for confidence."
Dimitar Berbatov (Metro): 2-0
"This is going to be a good game. I don’t remember the last time West Ham were above Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool. They are having a great season and they have surprised everybody.
"I don’t know if they have admitted it yet, but they will be thinking about Champions League football, which is certainly achievable.
"This game is definitely winnable for them too, we all know how shaky Arsenal can be at times, yes they won against Spurs but their defence cracks and makes stupid mistakes at times. I can see West Ham getting a result and pushing for top four."
Tribuna.com: 0-1
West Ham are enjoying a wonderful season and are a very hard nut to crack. No wonder they sit fifth in the table and are looking to secure a Champions League place. We think Arsenal would be lucky to leave the London Stadium with 3 points. Still, we think after the NLD victory the Gunners have the mental boost to deliver a strong performance.
🗣️ Quotes from managers
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal FC)
"I think they have a really strong squad and they have a great manager and coaching staff.
"They started the season with some doubts but I know what David is capable of doing. He gets the group together, they're working really hard for each other, they've recruited really well and you can start to see the things that David has done.
"Obviously they have a little bit more time during the week to prepare football matches and training, and I think they've been in great form and they're a really dangerous team."
David Moyes (West Ham FC)
"Sunday’s game with Arsenal is incredibly important if we’re pushing for top four, which we’re going to try and do. But let’s be fair, ‘pushing for top four’ is something you wouldn’t have associated with West Ham that often, but we’re going to try and do our best.
"I think Arsenal are an improving side and they have shown that in their performances recently. I think Mikel is building a good team there and I’m sure it’ll be a tough game. They’ll have taken confidence from winning a local derby, but this is our game and we’re interested in West Ham.
"We know Arsenal have got a lot of strengths in how they play and we’ll do our best to nullify them and do our best to put over what we’re good at as well."
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