Here’s another London derby; although it’s not the biggest one, it’s certainly super important for both sides. Both Arsenal and West Ham are without points after two rounds into the 2018/2019 season of the Premier League, so winning three points on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates is of utmost importance. So, which team is going to achieve that goal? Find out in this Arsenal vs West Ham match preview!
Arsenal
The new manager of the Gunners Unai Emery can’t be too satisfied of his team’s performances so far in the season. Okay, they did play two very tough matches, against Manchester United and Chelsea, so the fact that they’re without any points doesn’t mean they’re destined for a disaster this season. Actually, they have a pretty decent squad with some really talented players, especially in the front third.
They showed their attacking prowess in the clash with Chelsea, which they could’ve won easily if they took their chances. For example, Aubameyang had two excellent chances in the first half, which he missed by shooting the ball over the bar.
Surely, Chelsea’s defense has to take some credit for their team’s success in that game. That said, West Ham aren’t as good at defending as the London Blues, which gives Arsenal a good chance to grab all three points. Their players’ confidence might not be high after two consecutive defeats but their fans will be there at the Emirates to help them keep their chins high.
West Ham
The Hammers might be in a real problem after two rounds of the Premier League. They lost to Liverpool in the opening round, which was expected, but then in the second round, they got defeated by AFC Bournemouth at their own turf. This surely can’t be good for their motivation, especially because they’re facing a very difficult challenge this weekend against Arsenal.
And everyone though they were going to do well this season. Well, at least better than they did the previous, when they missed relegation by playing well in the last couple of rounds. This season, with a new manager and a couple of new signings, the Hammers do seem like a pretty decent team. Now it’s up to them to show it.
Manuel Pellegrini has a number of top-quality players in the team, who are expected to shine anytime soon. Maybe they won’t be able to bring their team a victory at the Emirates, but they will surely give the Gunners a run for their money.
I’m talking about fresh players like ex-Arsenal man Jack Wilshere, former Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson, Dynamo Kiev legend Andriy Yarmolenko, and so on. On top of that, West Ham also have plenty of players who have been in the club for ages, most notably their captain Mark Noble.
Team News
Arsenal absentees
- Carl Jenkinson (injury)
- Sead Kolasinac (injury)
- Laurent Koscielny (injury)
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles (injury)
West Ham absentees
- Andy Carroll (injury)
- Manuel Lanzini (injury)
- Winston Reid (injury)
Possible Lineups
Arsenal
Cech – Mustafi, Sokratis, Bellerin, Monreal – Xhaka, Guendouzzi, Ozil, Mkhitaryan – Lacazette, Aubameyang
West Ham
Fabianski – Ogbonna, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Masuaku – Noble, Wilshere, Snodgrass, Anderson, Yarmolenko – Arnautovic
Arsenal vs West Ham Match Prediction
Even though the Gunners seem like favorites at the first glance, this is going to be a very tough game for them. The Hammers need to work real hard in this match in order to win their first points; otherwise they might find themselves in real problems. That’s why I think we’ll either see a draw here or a minimal Arsenal victory.
Arsenal vs West Ham Betting Tips
- West Ham AH +1.5 @1.38 (Unibet)
- BTS @1.75 (bet365)