As West Ham United gear up to face the formidable Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two exciting London sides. Arsenal, currently perched at the top of the league with just two losses this season, host a West Ham side that’s steadily climbing the ranks under the guidance of manager David Moyes.
The Hammers, who have displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, will arrive in North London brimming with confidence after only losing one of their last 7 League games, and aiming to secure a Carabao Cup and League double over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. The Gunners’ boss, Arteta, is well aware of the challenges posed by West Ham, especially in the form of their dynamic attacking duo, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen.
Despite not stringing together a consistent run of victories, West Ham finds themselves making significant strides up the Premier League table, with European qualification now within sight under Moyes’s astute leadership.
In terms of team news, West Ham faces doubts over the availability of Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet due to illness, while prolific striker Michail Antonio remains the only confirmed absentee for the London derby. However, the Hammers have found reinforcement in the form of Konstantinos Mavropanos, a former Arsenal player, who impressed alongside Kurt Zouma in their recent 2-0 victory over Manchester United. Mavropanos, signed in the summer for such crucial encounters, is likely to play a pivotal role against his former club.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, who emerged unscathed from their recent visit to Anfield, will be without the services of Kai Havertz, who is suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Liverpool. Arteta’s injury woes continue, with Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Fabio Vieira (groin), Thomas Partey (muscle), and Jurrien Timber (knee) all remaining sidelined. I am sure though that Declan Rice will be keen to get revenge on his old team-mates after our League Cup defeat in early November.
The absence of Havertz, a key playmaker for Arsenal, and the persistent injuries in their squad will undoubtedly test the Gunners’ depth and resilience. Arteta will need to rely on his remaining stars to maintain their impressive form and secure a crucial victory against a West Ham side hungry for success after winning their first trophy in decades last season.
It won’t be easy, but Arsenal seem to have learnt how to deal with all oponents so far this season.
Jack Anderson
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Hope Jorginho can play again since Havertz won’t be available. It can also be an opportunity for ESR to shine. But Havertz physicality, forward runs into the box and aerial challenge would be missed.
We may not have found the goalscoring touch that saw four of our players get into double figures in the last campaign.
But our home form has been excellent on home turf this season.
We have always managed to find away with our defense been the key to our success
Despite the Bubbles good performance in recent weeks, Surely Arsenal will now return to winning ways against this London side that has been leaking goals like an old sieve.
Maybe only Sheffield United have conceded more on the road than the bubbles in this campaign.
But Jarrod Bowen has scored 11 premier league goals this season, only Salah and Haaland have scored more, he and Kudus combined have scored some 23 goals in all competition, so with the ever influential Paqueta they could make a big scare.
I’m sure Saliba can handle Bowen, but I’m worried about the frail Zinchenko playing against the strong Kudus and Ward-Prowse’s direct free-kick skills
West Ham would most likely park the bus at the Emirates, so Zinchenko’s playmaking abilities would be required to break their defense. If Moyes watched our game at Anfield, he might also want to exploit our left wing with Kudus
As for Havertz, I believe Trossard or Smith-Rowe can replace him, to let Rice focus on his CDM role
Yes am a nervous wreck with Zinchenko in that left back roll, and we have seen from the world cup until now, Kudus will take even good full back apart.
West Ham football is terrible to watch but what they does well is to throw that ball into the box, maybe the gaffer could spring a suprise by giving Ramsdale a rare start to come out for some of thses high balls from Ward-Prowes
The formation is going to be key, I can see us playing a high line in a 4 : 3 ; 3 or a 3 : 1 : 3 : 3 set up with overwhelming ball possession
I would start Smith Rowe over Tossard in this one, for his direct running, with Belgian figuring prominently in the second half
I expect Rice to neutralize this midfield that he knows like his hand back
I wonder why many fans panic about zinny yet we have Kiwior. Is there something we need to know or he is simply not good again?. If Zinny get skinned by Kudus and it leads to another goal then questions would be asked the gaffer. first it was Bailey, second Salah ??????
Zinny help us against high press and where we overwhelm teams with ball possessions, especially with the 3 : 1 : 3 ; 3 formation against low blocks team, when we attack relentlessly
But I must admit he offers not much defensively
A good opportunity to find out how much we really need Harvertz. I doubt we will miss him much and am confident of a comfortable win against West Ham.
I’m going to have one eye closed and the defibrilator on stand by every time WH gets a corner kick.
Jack Anderson.
I want to assure the Arsenal faithful that, come what may come in the Epl match between the Gunners and the Irons next Thursday night at the Emirates Stadium. That Arsenal will defiantly beat West Ham.
And beat them resoundingly well in the match by 4 goals to nil at full-time of the match unfailingly.
Even as 2 of Arsenal current Epl title win rival club sides of Liverpool has displaced Arsenal at the top of the table to sit on it after beating Burnley 0-2 tonight. And as a result has put pressure on Arsenal to beat West Ham. And recover the leadership of the Epl once again. But Aston Villa has uncharacteristically flattered to deceive. As they lost 3-2 to Man Utd tonight. But still sit 3rd in the table. With Arsenal having a game in hand to win and recover the control of the league table from Liverpool unfailingly.
What, a risk of not having Kai Havertz? It’s both surprising and pleasing. Surprising because I was worried that Havertz would be harassed and annoyed making him the really hated fella which does’nt happen in this club but threatened that you never know. He is kid I really like. The way he plays and manners + temperament if you can call his that. Anyway I am happy he is alright and hope is not injured to miss the game on Thursday. Have a nice one.
Kai Havertz is suspended for the West Ham match,he is a fine kid, very productive in any game and has started to score every other game and when he comes back he will be ready to score more goals.
Will Partey be fit enough to play?
We really need him back asap. One thing is sure, with him in that midfield our chance creation doubles and goal scoring ability increases too.
As much as I will like us to move on from Partey, we still don’t have a player with the complete skill sets of an in-form Partey.
💯💯
I’m sure Trossard will play the left no 8 role with the absence of Havertz. Since we are missing a bit of players, I think it’s important to score a couple of goals early so we can have a productive substitutions later in the game. Games are coming in thick and fast. Come on boys, play ruthlessly and don’t get injured.
Time to bring in Smith-Rowe to replace Kai and Kiwior to replace Zinchenko. Obviously Kai is suspended and Zinchenko will not be able to contain Kudus.
Enough of the Havertz sweet talks, please.
I have ABSOLUTELY nothing against him and really want him to do well. But if anyone thinks that these below par performances from him are worth his fee and how much he’s on, or even what’s needed at this level, WELL…
He’s got the physique, gets into good positions but the end product?? And for anyone who cares, the Kai Havertz signed from the Bundesliga isn’t even seen (yet) – so the talks of being back to his best is absolutely baseless.
He’s a tad better now compared to when he joined, but there’s still far far more to be desired.
The fact that these talks are on every week (in his ‘support’) says everything…
He won’t even be missed imho, even if we don’t get max points – unlikely though.
Hatred and biasness boils in the heart, no matter how much you claim not to have anything against Havertz, your bitterness is so obvious.
I was never a fan of havert before be became an Arsenal player, and truth be told, his performance wasn’t so good but he is improving day after day, anybody that claims he/she hasn’t noticed improvement in havertz performance should own up to the hatred, and not try to convince anyone they had nothing against Havertz.
Havertz has 4 goals 1 assist(EPL)
Odegaard 4 goals 2 assist(EPL)
Martinelli 2 goals 2 assist(EPL)
Even our number 1 striker Gabriel Jesus has
3 goals and 1 assist(EPL)
Based on the statistics, Havertz is just one assist behind our Captain, no one is talking about Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli but it’s all about Havertz.
Maybe you have zero ideas on what hatred and bitterness mean. If you ever saw my comments on him when he joined, I advocated that he’s given time and slowly eased in to rediscover his form, as he looked to be out psychologically. And when Mikel did manage to that, he’s improved, but isn’t great in my books YET! And maybe you should read with meaning too.
And yes, Gabriel Jesus is very far from any top CF. I have been saying this since mid last season, he’s just not a (top) CF and can’t lead the lines, but the talks of “work rate” and what he offers aside goals were always met. He just doesn’t have it (or maybe hasn’t shown it). A handful of lowly placed teams have far better strikers than GJ!
On Martinelli, EVERYONE knows he’s been very poor this season. And for me, his overall play has always had far more to desire, even since last season, considering his pace and prowess. At times I think his growth is stunted.
Even Saka (from some time towards the end of last season) hasn’t been great but not as poor.
amazing how Havertz has turned it around to such an extent that even for just a 1 game suspension he will be sorely missed
I concur… He has improved a lot which can only be a good thing but he is not indespensable… I also feel Martinelli clings to the ball a bit too much often in games and a lot of times in crucial positions leading to quite a bit of turnovers… He needs to be benched for Trossard or Nelson a few times
Listen to me my fellow Gooners. For, Arsenal is capable of beating any Epl team that of course included West Ham in particular. With or without any particular individual Gunner in the team.
For, Arsenal has a stockpile of top quality Gunners reserves in their ranks. Who it can call upon at anytime to play for the team when the need to do so does arise.
The most important thing in the match tomorrow, is for the Gunners to make sure that they rust at least 4 Irons to rusting in the game as it’s being played. And up to the full-time of the match. But with no any Gunner getting hurt or injured in the match by the Irons hammering of their hammers
Not quite “perched at the top” Jack, but near enough as makes little difference.
These Xmas/New year games often throw up some surprising results, but hope our players are professional enough in their preparation to stay fit & ready for a tough match.