Arsenal can return to the highest of the Premier League desk with a win on the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night however Mikel Arteta will likely be aware of the difficulties his former supervisor David Moyes may pose within the London derby. West Ham despatched their hosts crashing out of the EFL Cup quarterfinal earlier this season and spoiled their title problem final season with a 2-2 draw on the London Stadium.
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It’s, nevertheless, greater than eight years because the Hammers have received on the Emirates Stadium, a match the place Arteta was within the dugout in its place slightly than Arsenal supervisor. A repeat end result on Thursday night time will surely do no favors to the title challengers however victory may simply propel West Ham into the dialog for a top-four end. Right here is how one can watch the match and what you should know:
Viewing info
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 28 | Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
- Location: Emirates Stadium — London
- Stay stream: Peacock
- Odds: Arsenal -350; Draw +450; West Ham +750
Storylines
Arsenal: Final season Gabriel Martinelli was his aspect’s prime scorer in all competitions. Because the midway mark approaches for this one, he has struggled altogether extra with simply 4 objectives and three assists throughout 21 video games. His latest struggles reached one thing of a nadir earlier than Christmas as he spurned probabilities, most notably an open objective in a 1-1 draw at Anfield which may in any other case have been a morale-boosting win. Morale, nevertheless, is just not one thing that Martinelli tends to wrestle with.
“I feel confidence is just not an issue for Gabi,” mentioned Arteta. “Generally the effectivity and placing the break down and lifting your head up, for everyone it is essentially the most troublesome factor to do and discovering that composure or timing within the field. Actually a insecurity or making an attempt is just not going to be a difficulty for him.”
The Arsenal supervisor added that it was “troublesome to place one thing onto [his struggles]. Generally it is resolution making. Generally, scoring, or lacking an opportunity, or hitting the publish, or receiving the ball, the distinction is small particulars. He is actually making an attempt. He is a large risk for us. Not solely the whole lot that he generates with the ball, however with out the ball as properly. The period of time that he threatens the backline and the strain he places on the backline. It would occur once more.”
West Ham: Nayef Aguerd’s absence was not felt too severely within the 2-0 win over Manchester United earlier than Christmas however Moyes will likely be hoping he has recovered in time for the journey throughout the capital, so spectacular can the Moroccan be on the again. Set in opposition to Arsenal will likely be a number of gamers that they’ve mulled signing in recent times, within the case of each Mohamed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta, they may remorse not backing their view on the gamers as West Ham did.
Paqueta’s sensible lob slipped Jarrod Bowen in behind for the Irons’ opener in opposition to Manchester United on Saturday and he adopted that up by slipping Kudus in for the winner. The Brazilian may even be on the right track to get significantly better within the weeks forward, in response to his supervisor.
“I feel Lucas continues to be getting used to the Premier League,” mentioned Moyes. “He is been right here for simply over a 12 months now and it in all probability took him about six months to settle, however I feel he is getting the true gist of it now.
“He is doing a very good job for us. He is a very good crew participant and, throughout, he is acquired some actually good qualities. Enjoying for West Ham, we want him to do a number of work and plenty of issues for the crew, and he is responding very properly to that.”
Prediction
For all their difficulties on the highway, Arsenal are inclined to get the job finished at residence to West Ham. Anticipate that to proceed. Choose: Arsenal 2, West Ham 0
