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Premier League: West Ham United vs. Arsenal – Arsenal, a Premier League contender, will have to make a quick trip across the capital on Sunday to play London rivals West Ham United at the London Stadium in an attempt to exact revenge.
Last Saturday, Mikel Arteta’s team added another chapter to the title story when they defeated leaders Liverpool 3-1, while the Irons were defeated 3-0 by Manchester United.
West Ham manager David Moyes made a grim figure as Man United put three goals past West Ham without a response last Sunday, when the Red Devils’ stars of the future stole the show. Moyes was given another harsh awakening upon returning to one of his former clubs.
At the Theatre of Dreams, a magnificent finish from Rasmus Hojlund preceded two goals from South American sensation Alejandro Garnacho.
Despite this, West Ham had their moments in Manchester, and Moyes claimed that the 3-0 scoreline “flattered” his former employers.
Still, Moyes’s team fell below Man United into seventh position in the standings with just two points separating them and the Red Devils after the Irons lost their sixth straight game. The Irons haven’t won a tournament since the beginning of the year.
But with victories in their Saturday matches, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion could both knock the Hammers out of the European rankings.
Still, a return to familiar surroundings gives the Europa Conference League winners cause for optimism, as they have won all six of their previous Premier League games played at the London Stadium.
Only Everton and Manchester City have left West Ham’s field with three points so far this season, but the hosts haven’t gone seven games without a loss at home in the Premier League since Slaven Bilic was in charge during their time at Upton Park in 2015–16.
When it comes to Arsenal’s match against Liverpool on Sunday, Mikel Arteta‘s merciless team proved that the third time really is lucky.
The Gunners wiped bad memories of their FA Cup loss to the Reds and threw away a one-goal lead to draw at Anfield just before Christmas.
The Emirates spectacle had the two meanest goalkeepers in the division facing off, but both teams traded in their defensive prowess for silly mistakes in the penalty area, with Gabriel Magalhaes scoring Liverpool’s first own goal to tie the score following Bukayo Saka’s opening goal.
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But Gabriel’s gaffe quickly became inconsequential, as Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker’s bizarre mix-up left Gabriel Martinelli with an empty net.
After the latter failed to keep his legs closed at his near post, Leandro Trossard took full advantage to seal a magnificent victory for the Gunners.
For the first time since taking the helm at the Emirates, Arsenal had only won once in seven games before Arteta’s turnaround.
The Gunners have now won three straight in the top flight to close the gap on Liverpool to two points.
However, Manchester City, who play Everton on Saturday lunchtime, currently lead the table on goal differential.
But if the North London giants are to overcome their rivals in the capital, they will need to summon their third-time lucky once more this weekend.
West Ham’s last victory in any competition came just after Christmas, when they defeated Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates and ended Arsenal’s hopes of winning the EFL Cup with a 3-1 victory at London Stadium.
West Ham United Premier League form:
W W D D D L
West Ham United form (all competitions):
D D L D D L
Arsenal Premier League form:
D L L W W W
Arsenal form (all competitions):
L L L W W W
Unwanted changes had to be made on West Ham’s end during the defeat against Manchester United. Due to a head injury he received in a clash with Kurt Zouma, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had to give up the gloves to former Arsenal FA Cup winner Lukasz Fabianski for the second half.
After the match, Moyes reiterated that the Frenchman’s withdrawal was only a precaution and that he should be OK to protect the sticks in the London derby; nevertheless, Michail Antonio (knee) and Lucas Paqueta (calf) will not play.
Following having time to consider the positive aspects of his team’s performance against Old Trafford, Moyes should limit any changes he makes.
This will force Kalvin Phillips, a loanee from Manchester City, to try to make an impression from the bench following a challenging start to his Irons career.
Arsenal, on the other hand, put up a strong show against Liverpool despite being without Gabriel Jesus, whose knee is giving him trouble once more.
Arteta, though, voiced optimism that the Brazilian’s most recent injury would not keep him out of action for more than a few days.
Bukayo Saka, who is always being targeted, should also recover from an ankle sprain to be available. However, Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is returning from the Asian Cup and is expected to sign a new contract, is expected to start at left back. Oleksandr Zinchenko was forced off the field at halftime against the Reds due to a calf injury.
The three long-term Arsenal injuries are Thomas Partey (thigh), Jurrien Timber (ACL), and Fabio Vieira (groyne).
However, thanks to his outstanding performance against Liverpool as man of the match, Jorginho has made every effort to return to his midfield role with former Hammer Declan Rice.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Johnson, Ward-Prowse, Kudus; Bowen
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Our prediction for this match 3-2 or 2-1 won by Arsenal
