250% up to ₹10,000 + ₹150 Free Bet
CLAIM NOW3
1
London clash sees table-topping Arsenal host West Ham
Arsenal to win 3-1
Tournament: Premier League 2022-2023 | Venue: London, Emirates Stadium
Bet NowMuch has been made of Arsenal’s superb opening to the season and, more importantly, whether they can hold onto their position at the end of the season.
Many believe that Arsenal will find the pressure too much to handle and they will succumb to Manchester City eventually. If Arsenal win here, however, they’ll be eight points clear of Pep Guardiola’s men, who later on.
One huge talking point has been the injury to Gabriel Jesus, who picked up an injury while on World Cup duty with Brazil. He’ll now miss the next month or so, leaving a massive hole up front.
West Ham had massive gaps appearing all over the pitch in the run-up to the World Cup. Despite showing signs of improvement at one point, they’ve lost four of their last five and have slipped down the table.
They spent a good deal of money in the summer transfer window and David Moyes will eventually need to show some progress before too long.
London derbies are usually entertaining affairs.
Reasons to be cheerful:
Lost just two of their last 28 games against West Ham
Looking to equal club record of seven consecutive home wins to start season
Reasons to be fearful:
Gabriel Jesus will be a massive miss through injury
Can they handle the pressure in the second half of the season?
The crunch time now begins for Arsenal and their manager, Mikel Arteta.
This is where we will learn whether they are ready or not to shake off the shackles of the underachieving Arsenal and finally win the Premier League once more.
The stats are in their favour – only once has a team had a five-point lead at Christmas and not gone on to win the league (Newcastle in 1996).
Here, they will feel confident about beating West Ham, a team that they have only lost to twice in 28 games.
The gaping whole will be the injured Gabriel Jesus. Despite not scoring for Arsenal in over 10 games, he was the focal point that knitted everything they did together. He cannot recover soon enough for the Gunners.
In his place will surely come Eddie Nketiah, who will relish the opportunity to showcase his talents once more.
Star Man – Eddie Nketiah
The young striker has 10 goals in his last 10 starts in all competitions, showing that he is a more than capable back-up to Jesus. Can he take his chance now that he is likely to have a regular place in the team?
Reasons to be cheerful
Local derbies often bring out the best in teams
Will have welcomed the World Cup break to reset and refocus
Reasons to be fearful
Both Antonio and Scamacca could miss out in attack
On the verge of losing four league games in a row
The signs aren’t looking good for West Ham and David Moyes right now.
In 2022, they have suffered 11 away league defeats, their most in a 12-month spell for a decade. This season, they have just one win and three goals from seven away fixtures.
They have slipped back down the table once more, having hauled themselves up it after a difficult start to the campaign. Perhaps the World Cup break came at a good time for Moyes and his team.
Against Arsenal, the odds are stacked heavily against them. Moyes has lost 17 away games against Arsenal, while the Hammers have beaten Arsenal just twice in nearly 15 years.
They must improve here, although they may have to do so without both recognised strikers – Antonio and Scamacca are both nursing injuries and will need to be assessed.
Star Man – Said Benrahma
West Ham haven’t won a game for over two months, meaning it’s hard to understand where their goals will come from. Benrahma has three goals in recent games and looks to be a leading light for them right now.
Arsenal will boss possession
Can they create chances without Jesus?
Will West Ham put their dreadful form behind them?
Despite Arsenal missing Gabriel Jesus – and they will miss him the longer he is out – they should be able to cope without him here.
Arsenal’s style of play has been so good this season, that one player, no matter how important, shouldn’t derail it. They have other players who can step in with Jesus out.
West Ham don’t have that luxury if both Antonio and Scamacca are out. Their firepower is limited anyway, and you wonder how they’ll cope with this rampant Arsenal side.
Arsenal to win 3-1
Parimatch
250% up to ₹10,000 + ₹150 Free Bet