2019-20 Premier League: Week 29 – Arsenal vs West Ham

Arsenal welcome West Ham to the Emirates Stadium as both teams look to try and salvage something from disappointing league campaigns.

A win will lift the Gunners as high as eighth whereas West Ham could climb above Brighton into 15th if they take victory and move away from the relegation zone.

 

Team news

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Lucas Torreira is ruled out for Arsenal after suffering an ankle injury during Monday’s FA Cup win at Portsmouth.

Kieran Tierney (shoulder) could return if he passes a late fitness test but Cedric Soares (knee) isn’t fit enough until next weekend, whilst Sead Kolasinac (shoulder) and Calum Chambers (knee) are sidelined.

West Ham have no fresh injury concerns as Andriy Yarmolenko nears a first-team return from a thigh injury, although he won’t be risked here.

Tomas Soucek (hip), Jack Wilshire (groin) and Ryan Fredericks (shoulder) are also ruled out.

 

Form

Arsenal enter this match unbeaten in their last seven league matches (W3, D4), although they have kept just two clean sheets in five home league games under Mikel Arteta. 

West Ham ended a seven match winless run with victory over Southampton last weekend (W1, D2, L5), although the Hammers have conceded first in their four away league games of 2020.

 

Stat Attack

• Arsenal have lost just one of their last eight league meetings against West Ham (W5, D2, L1).
• West Ham have won just five of 23 Premier League trips to Arsenal (W5, D1, L17), although 11 of those clashes took place at Highbury before the Gunners moved to the Emirates since 2006-07 season.
• Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet in their last four home league games against the Hammers.
• Ex Arsenal defender – Nacho Monreal scored in the Gunners’ last two home clashes against West Ham.
• No player has committed more fouls this season than Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, who has produced 45 fouls in 21 appearances. 

 

Prediction

Arsenal have had a rough couple of games of which both came in cup competitions so will be relishing this clash, because it now presents one of their best opportunities to secure European football next season. 

West Ham however have rediscovered their early season mojo but will need to again tighten up defensively against a quality Arsenal attack, otherwise I can see this being an one-sided game if Arsenal quickly get control of the match. 

Goals therefore should be a certain given the improved form of both teams but I can’t see past a home win, given the Hammers’ poor defence.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 West Ham

Result: Arsenal 1-0 West Ham