Arsenal can put more pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a home win over West Ham.
By Graham Ruthven
Opportunity knocks
New life has been breathed into this season’s Premier League title race. Not so long ago, it appeared Liverpool were running away at the top of the table. Their draw against Aston Villa on Wednesday, however, has altered the picture.
All of a sudden, Arne Slot’s team have suffered a dip. The draw against Villa was the second time in three games that Liverpool have dropped points in the league, opening the door for Arsenal to mount a fightback.
A win for the Gunners against West Ham on Saturday afternoon would close the gap at the top of the table to just five points with Liverpool away to Manchester City 24 hours later. City might not be the force of old, but a trip to the Etihad Stadium is always a challenge.
This weekend has the potential to be a turning point in the Premier League title race and Arsenal must make sure they do everything possible to pile the pressure on Liverpool by claiming three points on Saturday.
West Ham, meanwhile, are struggling for traction under new manager Graham Potter. The Hammers are likely safe from the threat of relegation, but a positive result this weekend would help them feel more secure.
Key players
Declan Rice will face his former team as the controlling figure in the centre of the Arsenal midfield. The 26-year-old is at the peak of his powers and might have to offer even more as a creative force as the Gunners struggle with injuries.
Martin Ødegaard is another midfielder who will have to step up to compensate for the goals and assists that have been lost through the absence of Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
Ethan Nwaneri could keep his place in the Arsenal lineup after impressing in the recent win over Leicester City. The teenager has been a livewire for the Gunners since breaking through and has quickly become an important player due to injuries.
Evan Ferguson made his West Ham debut off the bench in last week’s defeat to Brentford and the Irish striker could be fast-tracked into the lineup such is Potter’s need for an attacking focal point.
Jarrod Bowen will give West Ham threat attacking open space while Mohamed Kudus could find space in between the lines of Arsenal’s midfield and defence. At the back, the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman and Alphonse Areola will have stay solid too.
Team news
Mikel Arteta’s biggest decision for Saturday’s match against West Ham concerns his forward line. Will Mikel Merino start as an emergency centre forward after his goal-scoring cameo off the bench against Leicester? Or will Leandro Trossard keep his spot?
Injuries to Havertz, Saka, Martinelli and Jesus have left the Gunners terribly depleted in the attacking third. Raheem Sterling could be in line for another start, but Arsenal need him to produce more.
Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug are long-term absentees for West Ham while Jean-Clair Todibo and Crysencio Summerville are also sidelined. Ferguson’s fitness might not permit him to start, but he will surely feature at some point.
Prediction
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham. It could be tight, but the Gunners should edge it, just to continue the narrative that the title race is back on.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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