Ahead of Saturday’s 5:30pm kick-off, we have the West Ham vs Arsenal preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups.
West Ham Vs Arsenal Preview
After their surprising 2-0 victory at St James’ Park on Monday, West Ham have given themselves a major boost going into this weekend’s London derby.
Few would have expected the Hammers to secure all three points against a recently-resurgent Newcastle United. The Toon Army actually beat Arsenal in their last home fixture before seeing off Nottingham Forest on GW11.
From Julen Lopetegui’s perspective, the Spaniard has afforded himself some breathing space after a difficult start at the London Stadium. Thanks mainly to goalscorers Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
However, the pressure will intensify once again if the Iron are comprehensively beaten in front of their own supporters. With that in mind, the Gunners won 6-0 in the reverse fixture last season.
As it stands, West Ham are six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone but their loyal supporters certainly expected more this season. Especially with the signings that were acquired in the summer.
Nonetheless, the Hammers can be buoyed by their recent improvement in home form. In the last three outings, seven points have been accumulated which included a 2-1 win against Manchester United. Sealing Erik ten Hag’s fate.
All eyes on Arsenal 👀 pic.twitter.com/t8pgBocdaH
— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 28, 2024
Arsenal Getting Back To Their Best?
After a stunning 5-1 UEFA Champions League win against Sporting on Tuesday, Arsenal appear to be getting over their recent rocky patch.
In Lisbon, the Gunners boasted five different scorers in the shape of Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard.
Prior to that, the north Londoners cruised past Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta‘s side are proving to be very ruthless in front of goal again after their four-match winless run in the Premier League.
With that in mind, Arteta can be quietly confident of beating West Ham in Saturday’s London derby. However, the Hammers did get the better of the Spaniard on two occasions last season.
Away from home, Arsenal haven’t tasted a top-flight victory since beating fierce rivals Tottenham in mid-September. A win on the road is very much overdue if they have any chance of catching table-toppers Liverpool.
Ahead of the match, the best football betting sites in the UK price West Ham at 13/2. The draw can be backed at 4/1 with Arsenal available at 10/21.
West Ham Vs Arsenal Team News
Boss Julen Lopetegui will be the most noticeable West Ham absentee after receiving a third yellow card of the season against Newcastle on Monday. He will serve a one-match touchline ban.
Mohammed Kudus is also missing as he serves the last of his five-game ban. The Ghanaian star saw his ban extended when he lashed out against Tottenham Hotspur in October.
Dinos Mavropanos is set to start against his former club owing to an injury suffered by Jean-Clair Todibo. Striker Niklas Fullkrug is not yet fit enough to feature.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will have to make do without Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Gabriel is also a slight doubt but the Gunners have a full bill of health other than that.
Jakub Kiwior is a viable option to replace the Brazilian defender. So to is Riccardo Calafiori but the Italian will likely slot in at left-back.
Leandro Trossard could be afforded a starting berth after he impressed in Lisbon. With a midweek fixture against Manchester United on the horizon, Mikel Arteta will likely rotate.
West Ham Vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups
West Ham (4-5-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Soler, Summerville; Antonio
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
West Ham Vs Arsenal Prediction
If Tuesday night is anything to go by, another fine away day beckons for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side have too much quality for West Ham to handle and that is why we can’t see any other outcome than a Gunners win.
Despite their surprise win at Newcastle, the Hammers will be brought crashing back down to earth on Saturday night.
Prediction: West Ham 1-4 Arsenal
