According to Chris Sutton, Arsenal will overcome West Ham and have the ideal response to the Hammers’ 2-0 reversal last year. On December 28th, West Ham defeated Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, with Thomas Soucek and former Gunner Konstantin Movrapanos scoring.
That loss dealt a blow to Arsenal’s title hopes, allowing Liverpool to establish an advantage in the title battle. Surprisingly, Arsenal lost 2-1 to Fulham shortly after that loss. These two losses widened the gap between the Gunners and Liverpool, who were at the top of the table.
Fortunately, following the Fulham game, the Gunners appear to have regained their form; they defeated Crystal Palace 5-0, Nottingham Forest 2-1, and Liverpool 3-1 last weekend.
This superb performance has the Gunners firmly back in the title fight, with only two points separating them from top-of-the-table Liverpool. To maintain their current position in the title battle, Arsenal must win games, which is why they just must beat the Hammers this weekend. Chris Sutton believes they will win 2-0 at the London Stadium against the Moyes-led team.
On the BBC, the Premier League pundit suggests that the Gunners were unlucky the last time they met West Ham, but that will not be the case this time around. This time, he believes Arsenal will find a way, will employ their threat in set pieces, and will be driven to stay in the title fight by picking up three points against their London rivals.
Speaking to BBC Sports, Chris Sutton said: “West Ham beat Arsenal at the Emirates at the end of December, when the Gunners huffed and puffed but just could not score.
“The Hammers will have exactly the same approach at home, looking to sit in and counter, and using their threat at set-pieces too. This time, though, I think Arsenal will find a way through — and carry on their celebrations.
“Mikel Arteta’s side will have a point to prove after what happened last time, but their motivation here is more about the fact they have just put themselves in the thick of the title race, and they cannot afford to slip up.”
I am happy to watch Arsenal get revenge, extend their winning run, enjoy some more celebrations, and keep pace with their title rivals.
COYG!
Daniel O
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It’s a matchday, yes it is!!! COYG!!!
We have to beat W.ham today, i had a look comparing results between City, Liv and us and came across a damning stat. 0 win away against the top 10. Thus far our home form is keeping us afloat but we need to find that last season away form.
0W 1D 2L for us = 1 pt
3W 3L for City = 9 pts
2W 2D 2L for liv= 8 pts
yes we’ve only played 3 matches compared to 6 for them but we need to start getting those pts on the board before the title race heats up in April and the pressure increases 10 folds. Especially when we have to go to Utd and Spurs in the last 4 matches and both would love nothing more than to ruin our chances.
I thought we were still the best away team in EPL
The match at London Stadium is going to be tricky, because West Ham would likely park the bus at home to lure us into their area
I believe the loss of all six points from both those matches was the dagger that killed our title hopes.
When competing against sides as superbly consistent as City, esp, NO serious title challenger can afford to lose six points that all Gooners must have thought we SHOULD HAVE TAKEN. But we did not, and that was when we lost the title, IMO
revenge has nothing to do with it, but yes, absolutely need to win today otherwise all the good work against Liverpool undone
but playing West Ham is diametrically opposite to playing Liverpool
it is back to XI behind the ball low block
in terms of line up and formation I do expect changes
firstly reverting to the standard Arteta 4-3-3, the pair #10’s will drop back #8’s
starting at the back, only one change, for me I would bring in Tomi for Zinc (an injury doubt anyway) for the extra height for set pieces but also aerial duals as West Ham hoist long ball over the top knowing there is no way their midfield can play through ours
in the middle I would stick with Jorginho at the base with Odegaard and Rice either side of him, Partey fitness irrelevant now after Liverpool display
the front three Saka, Havertz (for hieght) and Trossard (for mobility) vs Martinelli who will get zero space against West Ham
set pieces should be our thing with the extra height, forcing corners and milking free kicks, but dare I say some crosses in to the box for once rather than pussy footing around the horseshoe perimeter
Jorginho was the Trump card a week ago, surely the gaffer must have a next card up his sleeve to keep the celebration going.
First we have to establish midfield supremacy to out smart this wily old fox.
Am predicting a clean sheet, 2 nil for Arsenal
We’re actually five points behind Liverpool Daniel, not two, so I’m guessing that you’re making the dangerous assumption that we’ll win. I hope we will, but a loss will put Spurs in a striking position, and we can’t allow that to happen. So it’s got to be a win.
UTA