The Emirates Stadium hosts a match this Saturday between two sides in completely different positions within the Premier League. Arsenal, riding high in second place and yet to lose a league game in 15, welcomes to their ground West Ham, struggling to stay above the drop. Though Gunners defeated Leicester City 2-0 in their last encounter, garnering 53 points, the Hammers lost 1-0 to Brentford and are at 16th place, in danger of sliding into the relegation zone.
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Arsenal wants to keep pace with league table-toppers Liverpool
Arsenal is bound to have the game in their pocket, but a couple of key injuries could make it tricky for Mikel Arteta's side to accomplish. The boss knows that each and every point lost could prove crucial in the title race and emphasized the significance of consistency.
"I can see the opportunity to keep winning and keep going towards the target that we want to achieve at the end of the season, which is to win [the title]. We just have to do our job, and tomorrow's match against West Ham is going to be very tough. If we do our business, we'll look to Sunday's match. With 13 matches remaining, there is a lot still to play for. I don't like 'ifs' in football or in sport. We must do what we must do, and if the 'if' materializes, great, but let's make sure we take care of what is in our hands," Arteta stated.
The team issues start in the medic department. Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the season after undergoing knee surgery, to join the likes of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, who won't be returning for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are recovering and uncertain for this game.
West Ham on high alert
In contrast, West Ham goes into this match under pressure and with the injury crisis that has dogged their campaign. Vladimir Coufal is still out following last Saturday's defeat with a fitness issue, while Lucas Paquetá was injured during training on his ankle and will also be absent. Niclas Füllkrug and Crysencio Summerville are at present both afflicted with tendon problems and are not expected back before April. Worse still, Michail Antonio is out for the season after suffering a leg fracture in a car accident.
Head coach Graham Potter, who has just taken over the team, knows what is coming but hopes his team will respond: "Arsenal are a wonderful club, but I think this is a good one for us after last week, coming back and whatnot, and we are looking forward. They have got some injuries but I have been doing this so many years now that there's never a bad time or good time to play a team like Arsenal. They'll be extremely competitive whoever they play," replied the coach.
Potter believes his team is getting better but admits they are still far from where they need to be.
"In general, the players have been functioning in a very good way. I think there has been a slight adaptation of behavior and level of intensity in the manner in which we're playing and training, and that's a step-by-step process. There have been many positives since I arrived, but of course, when it comes to results, there is a lot to be improved on."
The odds favor Arsenal
Recent history is against West Ham. They have never beaten Arsenal in successive away games since 2006/07. Arsenal, however, are on a 15-game home run without a defeat, a record they had not matched since 2019.
With a stronger squad and much improved form, Arsenal is the favorite. But the game might be more challenging than expected. West Ham, while struggling, is in desperate need of points and will of necessity fight to make this an uncomfortable match. Arsenal's work is to keep their heads and not take a side who has nothing but the game to lose for granted, while West Ham must somehow ride out the storm and take advantage of anything that comes their way.