Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal will travel across the capital to relegation scrappers West Ham.
West Ham
Starting with the hosts, dropping back into the relegation zone and watching arch-rivals Tottenham embark on a real resurge, West Ham suddenly find themselves pencilled in as the standout bottom-three contender this month. Last seen getting blow away at European dreamers Brentford as they eventually fell to a 3-0 drumming in west London, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have an almighty job on their hands here. Hit with a 2-0 loss when they travelled to the Emirates for their reverse Premier League showdown against Arsenal back in October, Sunday’s hosts couldn’t have asked for a tougher examination this weekend. It should also be highlighted, West Ham have remarkably shipped 11 goals in their previous two home meetings against the Gunners. With their top-flight status now hanging by a thread, the former Nottingham Forest boss is searching for a miracle.
West Ham Team News
Ahead of their return to the London Stadium this weekend, West Ham have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns. Former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson could be handed a full recall in the final third and replace the struggling Pablo.
Making a real impact since arriving from Chelsea on a loan switch during the January transfer window, Axel Diassi will start at the heart of West Ham’s defence. Despite failing to notch a Premier League strike since the end of January, skipper Jarrod Bowen will spearhead Santo’s charge on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, making real history earlier in the week as they punched their spot in the final of this season’s Champions League thanks to a nail-biting 2-1 aggregate win against Atletico Madrid, Arsenal are on the cusp of history. While Mikel Arteta’s men might have shown some real cause for concern on either side of March’s international break, the Gunners are now sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a first Premier League crown since way back in 2004. Watching Manchester City suffer a public slip-up away at Everton on Monday night, Arsenal will be desperate to widen their buffer at the top of the table and take another giant leap towards this year’s title. Smelling what is a golden opportunity this weekend, it should also be highlighted that Sunday’s guests have conceded just a single strike across all competitions in almost 400 minutes of action.
Arsenal Team News
Once again missing out against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, Dutch international Jurrien Timber is still recovering from an ankle issue. The Gunners have confirmed that Mikel Merino will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing foot surgery back in January.
Bagging a famous Champions League winner in midweek and now notching back-to-back strikes, England international Bukayo Saka will lead Arsenal’s attack. Settling for a spot on the bench in midweek, skipper Martin Odegaard should be handed a full recall.
West Ham vs Arsenal Key Factors to Consider
- When West Ham and Arsenal met for their reverse Premier League showdown back on October 4th, the Gunners collected a 2-0 victory in north London.
- Arsenal have remarkably notched 11 goals in their last two trips to the London Stadium.
- The Gunners have shipped just a single strike across all competitions in almost 400 minutes of action.
- Along with finding the net in the reverse top-flight battle against West Ham in October, England international Bukayo Saka has notched back-to-back strikes over the past week.
- West Ham have seen four of their last five matchups across all competitions finish with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Clinching their spot in the final of this season’s Champions League in midweek, Arsenal certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Looking to take another giant leap towards securing a first domestic crown since way back in 2004, the Gunners have been handed a golden opportunity here. Remarkably notching 11 goals in their last two trips to the London Stadium, Arteta’s side are rightfully installed as a landslide contender on Sunday afternoon.
Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
