Arsenal come into tonight’s match against West Ham United having won only 1 game in their past 6 League games losing 3 and drawing 2 but they did manage a come from behind 2-2 draw with Manchester City last time out. Hopefully the Gunners are returning to form and last season they did go on an unbeaten run over the last 10 games of the campaign which saw them pull off an unlikely second place finish so they are capable of a serious improvement over the run-in.
Arsenal have lost only once in their 17 most recent Premier League games vs West Ham but it did happen in the corresponding match last campaign. Over those 17 games however the Gunners have recorded an impressive 13 wins with just 3 draws to go with that solitary loss so you could say Arsene Wenger’s side enjoy playing their London neighbours.
If Arsenal beat West Ham tonight they will have achieved the League double for the 10th time in the Premier League which would be the most they have over any team.
Arsenal will probably be looking to Alexis Sanchez for their goals tonight since the Chilean marksman has an impressive record against the Hammers as he banged in a hat-trick in this game last season and overall he has recorded 4 goals plus laid on 1 assist in his last 2 appearances against West Ham.
West Ham are winless in their last 6 Premier League games losing 4 and drawing 2 over that spell and they have conceded 13 goals while only scoring 9 goals. This poor run of form has seen the Hammers slip to being only 6 points clear of the relegation zone and has cast a shadow over Slaven Bilic’s future at the club with the manager receiving the dreaded vote of confidence from the Board.
Bilic will likely turn to Andy Carroll to provide the goals for his side as the big striker has netted 5 goals vs Arsenal in his career which is as many as he has scored against any other side in the Premier League. Bilic could get a boost with the return to the side of top-scorer Michal Antonio who is scheduled to be fit again after recovering from a hamstring strain but it will probably be a game time decision. The Hammers could also welcome back Diafra Sakho from his back injury but again he will be a game time decision as he faces a late fitness test. Bilic’s squad has a number of other injuries so it may be rather tough ask to win the game.
Arsene Wenger will be encouraged by his side’s display on the weekend against Man City where they showed heart to come back twice from a goal down and the Frenchman will likely stick with a similar line-up. We think Arsenal will have too much for the Hammers and we expect a tight match to end up as a 3-1 win for the Gunners giving impetus to their late season push and sending West Ham towards further problems.