While Arsenal are dreaming of silverware on multiple fronts, West Ham are fighting for survival after slipping into the relegation zone following last weekend’s defeat to Brentford.
Arsenal head into this derby full of confidence after booking their place in the Champions League final with a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in midweek. Bukayo Saka’s decisive strike sealed a famous European night and kept alive hopes of the club’s first-ever Champions League title.
Now, Mikel Arteta’s side must quickly switch focus back to the Premier League title race. The Gunners currently sit five points clear of Manchester City with only three matches remaining, although City still have a game in hand.
Victories over Newcastle United and Everton, combined with Manchester City’s recent slip-up, have placed Arsenal firmly in control of the title race. With matches against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace still to come, Arsenal know that maintaining momentum could finally bring the league trophy back to North London.
Despite their recent success, Arsenal’s away form has shown occasional vulnerability, with only one victory from their last five league games on the road. However, their deadly efficiency from set-pieces remains one of their greatest strengths. The Gunners have scored 27 set-piece goals in the Premier League this season, a worrying statistic for a West Ham side that has struggled badly defending dead-ball situations.
West Ham have conceded 23 set-piece goals this campaign, including 15 from corners alone. Their defensive frailties were exposed again during last weekend’s painful 3-0 defeat to Brentford, where another set-piece goal proved costly.
That loss ended a promising three-match unbeaten run and left Nuno Espirito Santo’s men inside the relegation zone. Tottenham Hotspur’s victory over Aston Villa further damaged West Ham’s survival hopes, meaning the pressure is now mounting rapidly at the London Stadium.
Still, the Hammers can take encouragement from their strong home form. They are unbeaten in their last six league matches at home and have shown greater resilience in front of their supporters. A positive result here could temporarily lift them out of the bottom three before Tottenham face Leeds United on Monday.
However, recent meetings with Arsenal at the London Stadium have been disastrous defensively for West Ham, who have conceded 11 goals across the last two home league encounters against the Gunners.
Team News
West Ham have received a major boost ahead of the match, with Nuno Espirito Santo confirming that he has a fully fit squad available.Aaron Wan-Bissaka could return to the starting lineup, while Callum Wilson may also come into attack as West Ham search for more cutting edge in front of goal. Captain Jarrod Bowen remains one of their key creative outlets despite his recent scoring drought, having provided eight assists during his last 11 league appearances.
Arsenal, meanwhile, remain without Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber due to injury, but otherwise Arteta has very few concerns.
The Spanish manager is expected to stick closely to the side that defeated Atletico Madrid in midweek. Young midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly has impressed in recent weeks, while Viktor Gyokeres continues his excellent scoring form with nine goals in his last 12 Premier League matches.
Possible Starting Lineups
West Ham United
Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Bowen, Fernandes, Soucek, Summerville; Wilson, CastellanosArsenal
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Eze, Trossard; GyokeresPrediction
West Ham 0-1 Arsenal
