Premier League: Can Arsenal Hammer the Hammers Again?

West Ham United vs Arsenal

On the final day of a bitterly cold November (at least it is where I am based!), here’s a Premier League London derby to warm the cockles.

In fact, I expect events on Saturday teatime to be more than just warm but hot and, potentially, fractious.

Both West Ham and Arsenal prepare for battle on the back of fine away successes at the start of the week and, with a long-held rivalry between the two, each will be fired up to claim the bragging rights.

 

Talking Points

Premier League highlights have been relatively hard to come by for the ‘east enders’ this season but they had a massive boost after a trip to the north east on Monday night.

That was when a team, inspired by standout performances from Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta, exhibited the sort of ruthless precision strangely absent from Newcastle’s game.

Expertly taken goals from Soucek and the similarly impressive Aaron Wan-Bissaka reinforced Julen Lopetegui’s fragile job security, lifting West Ham to 14^th place in the standings, six points clear of the bottom three.

At the start of the campaign, I expected West Ham to be faring far better than they are.

At the same time, I referred to a word of warning from my SBOTOP colleague who pointed out that Lopetegui left Wolves after less than a year in charge due to disagreements with the board and that West Ham’s hierarchy would need to give this ambitious manager what he wants or it could be a short-term relationship.

In fairness, they have backed him so far, including in the shape of German striker Niclas Füllkrug.

The 31-year-old frontman may well only have a few years left at the top of his game, but he is a player who can have a real impact at the London Stadium.

He appears perfect for the Hammers and the striker has already admitted he’s salivating at the thought of Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Paqueta whipping in crosses for him to finish.

Now they need to get him fit as he continues to work to an individualised training programme, partly indoors and partly on the grass with West Ham medical team and physios.

As for Arsenal, anything less than maximum points will be insufficient as they aim to try and sustain a faltering title challenge (not helped by a run of key injuries) which has seen them slip nine points from the summit and out of the race.

 

History

Two seasons ago the Gunners threw away a 2-0 lead in this fixture and were pegged back in a 2-2 draw, a result which proved costly in their title bid.

Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard had put them in the ascendancy inside the opening 10 minutes before a Saïd Benrahma penalty reduced the arrears and Bowen levelled matters for the Hammers early in the second half.

Last Christmas, a game against West Ham also proved costly in their title bid when Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos scored the goals in a 2-0 success.

West Ham also knocked the Gunners out of the League Cup last term with a 3-1 victory when an own goal, plus Mohammed Kudus and Bowen, secured the win.

Odegaard scored a consolation for Arsenal in stoppage time.

The last time they defeated them at home in the league came six seasons ago when they won 1-0 in front of their elated fans. The scorer of the only goal that day – a certain Declan Rice.

I fondly recall a six-goal thriller when Andy Carroll was the hero with an eight-minute hat-trick as the sides shared the points.

Their most recent meeting though was very one-sided

No-one expected the rout that followed in February as the Gunners hit six without reply in what was Arsenal’s biggest-ever win against the Hammers – they had previously defeated them 6-1 at Highbury in Division One in March 1976.

The scorers that day were William Saliba, Bukayo Saka (two, one penalty), Gabriel, Leandro Trossard and Rice.

The Gunners, historically, have had the edge with 73 victories compared to West Ham’s 37 triumphs. A further 41 meetings have been drawn.

 

Betting Tip 

Arsenal are firm favourites with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds.

While the odds on the hosts, who you’d expect to raise their game, are very attractive, both 1X2 @ 5.60 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.07, it’s a very different story with the visitors.

Mikel Arteta’s men can be backed 1X2 @ 1.47 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.42. The draw is on offer @ 4.08 and another goal fest will pay out @ 2.75 with Total Goals 4-6, in contrast to 2-3 @ 1.97 and 0-1 @ 3.48.

   

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