Premier League 2023-24: Arsenal Vs West Ham Preview, Team News and Prediction

February 11, 2024
Ankit Chakraborty
Sports
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Premier League contenders Arsenal face a brief trip across the capital on Sunday as they seek revenge against London rivals West Ham United at London Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s men delivered a further twist to the title race with a 3-1 victory over leaders Liverpool last weekend, while the Irons were defeated 3-0 by Manchester United. West Ham United manager David Moyes cut a dismal figure as Manchester United blasted three past West Ham without reply on Sunday, with the Red Devils’ future talents taking the spotlight.

After two Alejandro Garnacho goals at the Theatre of Dreams, Rasmus Hojlund scored a superb finish, although West Ham had their moments in Manchester. Moyes said the 3-0 scoreline ‘flattered’ his old team. The Irons’ sixth match without a win – they haven’t won a competition since the turn of the year – dropped them below Manchester United into seventh place in the league, albeit just two points down.

Only Manchester City and Everton have left West Ham with three points this season, but the hosts have not had a seven-game unbeaten home run in the Premier League since their days at Upton Park in 2015-16, when Slaven Bilic was in charge. The third time is often the charm, and it surely was for Mikel Arteta’s merciless Arsenal against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Gunners banished stinging memories of their FA Cup loss to the Reds and squandered a one-goal lead to draw at Anfield shortly before Christmas. Arteta’s Arsenal renaissance has seen the Gunners march to three consecutive top-flight victories, bringing them within two points of Liverpool, though Manchester City – who face Everton on Saturday lunchtime – remain ahead on goal difference for the time being.

The North London titans must channel their third-time charm once more this weekend if they are to defeat their capital rivals, as West Ham’s most recent win in any competition was a 2-0 Emirates defeat just after Christmas, and they also ended Arsenal’s chances of winning the EFL Cup with a 3-1 London Stadium victory.

West Ham Team News

During West Ham‘s defeat to Manchester United, goalie Alphonse Areola was forced to hand over the gloves to former Arsenal FA Cup winner Lukasz Fabianski for the second half owing to a head injury sustained in a collision with Kurt Zouma. However, Moyes stated after the game that the Frenchman’s removal was purely precautionary and that he should be good to play in the London derby.

Lucas Paqueta due to calf injury and Michail Antonio for Knee injury will be absent. Moyes was allowed to dwell on the positives of his team’s performance at Old Trafford and should thus keep changes – if any – to a minimum, pushing Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips to try to make an impression from the bench following a difficult start in an Irons jersey.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal, on the other hand, put on a dominant performance against Liverpool despite the absence of Gabriel Jesus, whose knee is bothering him once more, though Arteta voiced hope that the Brazilian’s latest ailment would not keep him out for more than a few days.

Bukayo Saka, who is frequently targeted, should also recover from an ankle kick to make himself available, but Oleksandr Zinchenko was forced off at halftime against the Reds with another calf injury, so Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has returned from the Asian Cup and is set to sign a new contract, is expected to return at left back.

Head-To-Head

In the last 5 games the Irons have won twice with the last game in the Premier League ending 2-0 to West Ham. Arsenal have also won twice against the Hammers but both the wins in 2022 and are yet to beat them yet.