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5 keys to Arsenal versus West Ham

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Reece Oxford and James Tomkins of West Ham United jump for the ball along with Olivier Giroud of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Reece Oxford and James Tomkins of West Ham United jump for the ball along with Olivier Giroud of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Francis Coquelin of Arsenal walks off the pitch after receiving the red card during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Francis Coquelin of Arsenal walks off the pitch after receiving the red card during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

1. Which side will really go for it?

I really find myself wondering which team will come into this match with more desperation. Arsenal have to get all three points if they want to stay in the Premier League title race, but West Ham badly need to grind out a result if they want to achieve Champions League qualification.

I think the home field advantage dictates that West Ham try to bring the fight to Arsenal in this match. I can’t see Slaven Bilic instructing his team to try to soak up the Arsenal possession in front of what should be a raucous home crowd.

Instead, I believe Bilic will instruct his team to try to match Arsenal from the beginning of the match. If the Hammers can find an early goal it will put serious pressure on Arsenal. If their flying start doesn’t gain them an advantage on the scoreboard, the Gunners’ quality will win out as the game wears on.

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During the match’s last 15 minutes, one team is going to really make a decision to push for all three points. The team that’s able to make that unabashed decision will have a huge advantage in the crucial encounter.

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