West Ham entertain London rivals and Premier League title contenders, Arsenal at the London Stadium.
Victory would see West Ham go sixth for at least a few hours, whilst Arsenal will stay third with a win or draw although Mikel Arteta’s Gunners can go second if they triumph by seven goals or more.
Team News
Alphonse Areola is expected to start for West Ham after he was substitued in their defeat at Manchester United with a minor knock.
Michail Antonio (knee) and Lucas Paqueta (calf) remain sidelined.
Arsenal have defender, Takehiro Tomiyasu available following his return from international duty for Japan.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Bukayo Saka (knock) will all be assessed, with Saka considered the most likely of the trio to be available for selection.
Thomas Partey (muscle) and Jurrien Timbers (knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
West Ham host Arsenal at 2pm GMT at the London Stadium on Sunday 11 February, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- West Ham have won one of their last nine league meetings against Arsenal (W1, D2, L6).
- Arsenal are unbeaten in four of their last five league visits to West Ham (W2, D2, L1).
- Victory would see West Ham achieve a rare treble over Arsenal in a single season across cup and league meetings for the first time since 1924-25 season.
- West Ham have claimed four points from two London derbies at home this season (W1, D1), albeit without keeping a clean sheet.
- Bukayo Saka has scored in each of Arsenal’s last two away matches (W1, L1).
Prediction
After a lacklustre defeat at Man Utd where their end product desserted them and defensive marking was sluggish, West Ham now need to turn up and rediscover their clinical edge plus tighten up at the back if want to win this game.
Arsenal meanwhile outclassed Liverpool across the pitch and even in their desire to win but if they want to keep pace in the title race, it is imperative that they don’t lose that fresh momentum although I do feel that patience might be key to unlocking West Ham’s defence.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners though have lost both meetings against West Ham this season with poor performances, but if there is a time to correct that record then it’s now but David Moyes’ Hammers won’t make this easy.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Arsenal
Result: West Ham 0-6 Arsenal
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