Arsenal have now gone eight games unbeaten after their 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday. Seven wins preluded the well-fought point that could have been so much more.
There’s almost been something of an Arsenal write-off from many after they managed to do more than what Manchester United, Napoli, Newcastle United and Manchester City have all done this season, avoid defeat at Anfield. Although they could’ve won, which in itself is something to be pleased with, they need to now move the focus to the next game.
With that in mind, up next for the Gunners is West Ham United. Despite being embroiled in the relegation fight, there’s been something of a general feeling that the Hammers have been unfortunate in some of their games and have been worth more than the points they’ve accrued.
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It will not be an easy task and away wins in east London have had to be battled hard for by Arsenal. However, the Gunners have received a boost in the realisation that West Ham will be travelling back from Belgium in the hours before the visit of the league leaders.
West Ham are one of the four English sides left in European competition. Arsenal would have had Europa League quarter-final action this week had they beaten Sporting CP but instead will have a week of rest to prepare.
West Ham face fourth-placed Pro League side Gent on Thursday. David Moyes’ side will know the value of the UEFA Conference League, with the winner being given an automatic place in the Europa League next season with West Ham have no chance of qualifying through the league this season.
They’ve attacked the tournament with strong sides and have not looked to necessarily rest in these midweek games. Out of the match with Gent and Arsenal, it would be unsurprising if Moyes considered the European clash a greater priority.
This lean toward European action has led unsurprisingly so to a less than impressive record of Premier League matches following UEFA Conference matches. In the nine Conference games that were directly followed by a Premier League fixture, West Ham won just three, drew two and lost four – a 33.3% win record.
Only one of these games was against a ‘Big Six’ opposition with two of the losses at home against Brighton and Crystal Palace. West Ham’s two games after Arsenal are of course the second-leg clash with Gent and then a massive game away to Bournemouth.
Arsenal need to take every small bonus they can get and perhaps here we will see the benefit of being eliminated from Europe. A luxury that title rivals Manchester City do not have.
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