Preview: West Ham vs Arsenal team news, how to watch, line-ups and prediction

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Arsenal will be looking to close the gap at the top of the table with a win over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

We got ourselves right back in the mix for the title with a superb 3-1 victory over Liverpool last weekend. Arsenal dominated from the outset and took the lead in the 14th minute when Bukayo Saka was on hand to score after Kai Havertz saw his shot saved following a lovely flowing move.

The Gunners should have built on their lead but failed to capitalise on their dominance, and it came back to haunt us as we gifted Liverpool an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Indecision between David Raya and William Saliba resulted in Gabriel Magalhaes scoring an own goal to make it 1-1. Liverpool went into half-time level despite not having a shot on target!

Thankfully, Arsenal remained on top in the second half and Liverpool repaid the present we gave them with a gift of their own. Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker made a mess of a long ball and Gabriel Martinelli was able to slot into an empty net to make it 2-1 to Arsenal in the 67th minute. Leandro Trossard then came off the bench to score a late third shortly after Ibrahima Konate has been sent off for the visitors.

It was a huge victory for Arsenal as it reinforced the belief that we’re genuine title contenders again this season. Defeat would have left us sitting eight points off the top so our title push would have been all but over. However, the win saw us close the gap on Liverpool to just two points so we’re right in the mix for the title. Manchester City are level on points with Arsenal but have a game in hand, so they could go one point clear – and three ahead of us – if they win that match.

Arsenal proved on Sunday that we’re ready to fight for this title so all the hyperbole about ‘over celebrating’ was quite frankly ridiculous. Mikel Arteta and the players had every right to enjoy a huge win in front of the Emirates crowd. However, it’s vital the boys quickly refocus as we have another big game coming up away to West Ham. The win over Liverpool will mean very little if we go and lose to the Hammers, so it’s important we continue our fine form with another victory on Sunday afternoon.

Arteta and the players should be out for revenge this weekend after West Ham’s smash’n’grab at the Emirates in late December. We absolutely battered them and had over 30 shots on goal but just couldn’t finish our chances. The Hammers scored twice against the run of play, from only four shots, so somehow leave North London with all three points.

David Moyes’ side haven’t won any of their six games in all competitions since that win at the Emirates. They’ve drawn with Brighton, Sheffield United and Bournemouth in the league and lost 3-0 to Man Utd last weekend. They also lost away to Bristol in their FA Cup replay after being held to a 1-1 draw in the original tie, so they come into this match in poor form.

West Ham still sit seventh in the Premier League table and could go above Man Utd into sixth with a win. They were actually unlucky to lose so heavily at Old Trafford last week as they played well and created plenty of chances, so Arsenal shouldn’t underestimate the task at hand on Sunday.

How to watch

West Ham vs Arsenal will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at 2pm UK time on Sunday afternoon. Fans can watch all the action via their Sky box or on the Sky Go app.

Alternatively, for those supporters who want to watch the game live in person, you can buy West Ham vs Arsenal tickets through the club websites or via reputable resellers online.

Team news

Unfortunately for Arsenal, Thomas Partey suffered a setback in training last week. He was on the verge of making his long-awaited comeback from a thigh injury but felt something in training and was ruled out of the Liverpool game. Reports suggest the injury isn’t serious but Partey still won’t be available this weekend.

Gabriel Jesus missed the Liverpool game after aggravating a knee injury during the win over Nottingham Forest earlier this month. The Brazilian will be assessed to see if he’s able to return this weekend but he may not be risked from the start.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was forced off at half-time last weekend after suffering yet another calf injury. The Ukrainian international will be assessed today but he’s a big doubt to face West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

Thankfully, Takehiro Tomiyasu should be in contention again after returning from the Asian Cup this week. The Japan international could be drafted in at left-back ahead of Jacub Kiwior if Zinchenko is ruled out.

Fabio Vieira is still recovering from groin surgery while Jurrien Timber is still working his way back from a serious knee injury so they aren’t available for the trip to the London Stadium.

As for West Ham, they’ll be without Lucas Paqueta as he’s still nursing a calf injury while Michail Antonio is ruled out once again due to a knee issue. However, Mohammed Kudus is available again after returning from the AFCON.

Possible line-ups

The big decision for Arteta is who to start at left-back. If Zinchenko is out, I expect Tomiyasu to get the nod over Kiwior. Jorginho deserves to keep his place after a superb display last weekend while Havertz could lead the line up front again with Jesus not 100% fit.

West Ham XI: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Phillips, Alvarez; Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Bowen.

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Prediction

West Ham have beaten us twice already this season having also knocked us out of the League Cup, so Arteta should be out for revenge on Sunday. This is a huge game as it’s vital Arsenal follow-up the win over Liverpool with three points at the London Stadium.

West Ham have been struggling to pick up wins since beating us at the Emirates on December 28th, while Arsenal appear to have returned to their best form following the shock defeats to the Hammers and Fulham before the New Year.

Therefore, the Gunners should be going into this match full of confidence and I’m backing the boys to come away with a vital win. West Ham 1-2 Arsenal

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