After exercising a few demons against Olympiacos in the week, attention now turns to West Ham, where we’ve had some shocking results over the past few seasons. Two losses at home in three years, including two in a row, is probably up there with the worst stats we have against any team in the Premier League so and is something that cannot continue. Thinking about the bigger picture, Arsenal know a win would take them top of the league, for a few hours at least, so the carrot couldn’t be any bigger. Anything less than a win will be a massive disappointment.
Areas of encouragement
From a West Ham perspective, they’ve not look great this season and even though Nuno Espírito Santo has replaced Graham Potter recently, it’s going to take a while to turn their form completely around. They already looked more solid in Nuno’s first game in charge at Everton so it will be no walkover, but Arsenal should be confident that they can get at them.
At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal’s defence remains impressively stingy after conceding just 3 goals in 10 games so far this season so they will be hopeful of shutting out the West Ham frontline, which give Arsenal an excellent foundation to go on and win the game.
Areas of concern
The performance against Olympiacos wasn’t terrible but it was a little loose, as Arsenal allowed the game to drift, which was reminiscent of a number of games last season, that ending up leading to dropped points. So this is something that Arsenal need to be mindful of and approve upon, especially in games where they are dominate the ball, which the game against West Ham is likely to fall into.
The new Manager bounce is a very real thing, as the West Ham players will be determined to prove themselves to the new boss, so Arsenal need to make sure that they match the Hammers’ intensity and passion to ensure that they impose themselves on the game.
What I’d love to see
I think what most Arsenal fans really want to see is just a strong, ruthless, professional performance. If they are on top, I want to see Arsenal put West Ham to the sword so that the scoreline reflects their dominance. I would also love to get through the game with no injuries, in would only be the second or third time this season that this has happened.
I’d really love to see Viktor Gyokeres break his recent baron spell in front of goal. The knives already seem to be out for the Swede so it would be nice to see him bag a goal or two to send the doubters back into hiding for another week or two.
Above all else, I’d really love to see us take all three points and top the league. That’s not too much to ask, is it?!
What I’d hate to see
I think ‘hate’ is probably a strong word but I wouldn’t like to see another lacklustre performance like we saw against Olympiacos. The points are obviously what’s most important but I don’t think we’re at the stage of the season where that is all that matters. Performances are really important to set the standards for this team and we can’t allow games to drift like we did in midweek. Better teams will punish you and will inevitably lead to dropped points. Would hate to see us draw a blank here. We have to score.
Lineup and Team News
It’s been a gruelling four weeks since the last international break with five wins from six so far, but we have been able to rotate every player for at least one game and some have been protected really well, so I expect Arteta to go full strength here.
I know Gabriel went off with a worrying looking injury against Olympiacos but the update from Arteta and the general talk around his condition point to him starting this game to me.
Martin Odegaard excelled last time out and will surely keep his place in midfield but the main question is how we fit substitutes from midweek, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka into the same team. Eze has not looked the most natural fit on the left but with Odegaard taking his number 10 position back and Saka a shoe-in for the right hand side, that surely leaves Eze on the left with Rice in the left 8 position. With no obvious replacement, Gyokeres will continue to lead the line and will be hoping to turn his two recent strong performances into goals.
Predicted lineup:
Raya
Timber
Saliba
Gabriel
Calafiori
Zubimendi
Rice
Odegaard
Saka
Gyokeres
Eze
Substitues:
Kepa
White
Mosquera
Lewis-Skelly
Nwaneri
Merino
Trossard
Martinelli
Dowman
PREDICTION
New Manager bounce or not, Arsenal should be taking care of business at home against teams like West Ham if they want to be winning the league, so I fully expect another three points here. 3-0 to The Arsenal.