Preview
Arsenal will face West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in their first Premier League fixture after the Christmas break. Following a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, the Gunners aim to reclaim the top spot they held on December 25. Meanwhile, West Ham’s recent 2-0 victory against Manchester United has boosted their confidence ahead of this matchup. Kickoff is at 8pm GMT.
Arsenal clinched a significant draw against Liverpool at Anfield, securing a crucial point in the title race. Mohamed Salah’s response to Gabriel Magalhaes’s early header led to a high-quality deadlock. The Gunners now gear up to face West Ham United at home. Although the draw kept them at the top for Christmas, any win in that match would’ve earned them the ‘winter champions’ title. Arsenal remain strong at home, boasting a five-game winning streak at the Emirates. However, recent inconsistencies pose a challenge as they aim to reclaim the top spot from Liverpool.
West Ham’s recent resurgence sees them in contention for sixth place after Manchester United’s leapfrogging on Tuesday. David Moyes, yet to secure an away win at Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, or Chelsea, eyes an opportunity for a rare victory at the Emirates. Despite an EFL Cup win over Arsenal, Moyes aims to rectify his poor record against the Gunners in the Premier League. West Ham’s solid form, including a convincing win against Manchester United, fuels their quest for a higher table position, albeit their standing could shift after upcoming games.
Head-to-Head
In the past eight Premier League encounters between Arsenal and West Ham, Arsenal secured wins in six matches, while the remaining two ended in draws.
Prediction
The current West Ham defense is not well-equipped to handle the stronger Arsenal offense, particularly at the Emirates stadium where Arsenal has secured seven consecutive victories in all competitions.
