Arsenal v West Ham
FA Premier League
Saturday, March 20th. (Live on ESPN).
The Emirates. Kick off 17.30.
By Joe Finegan
Make no mistake, Arsenal are flying at present, and if this run can continue, they may nick the Premier LEague title. They certainly have the easier title run-in, with the only potentially difficult games against Spurs and Man City.
Unbeaten in five Premier League games, Arsenal are certainly on the crest of a wave. No win in three classifies West Ham as being at a bit of a low ebb. However, two of those defeats have come at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge. This game at the Emirates in the third in a really tough series of away fixtures for the Hammers. Quite how they are going to come away with anything from this game is beyond me. However, the good news for Hammers’ fans is that they have two home games against Wolves and Stoke coming up – ample chance to get six points to push away from the relegation zone.
West Ham will offer sterner resistance than the likes Burnley and Stoke (both of whom Arsenal beat 3-1 recently) but the Gunners would still be fancied to sweep aside their London rivals.
Following their recent busy week with a comprehensive Champions League victory over Porto, Arsenal will have enjoyed their midweek break and will face West Ham on Saturday evening with renewed vigour.
Arsenal struggled a little against a plucky Hull side last week and were unlucky not to concede at a crucial stage of the game that could have swung the game in Hull’s favour. However, they stuck to their task and outbattled Hull to record a much-needed victory. A similar performance with less resistance is expected from this game. Whatever you do, get on Arsenal to win this game, and maybe sneak a few quid on them to land the league too.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal will be without Sagna, Ramsey, Gibbs, Van Persie, Djourou and Gallas. Doubts hang over Fabregas and Rosicky. West Ham will have to make do without Noble, Davenport and Boa Morte but Ilunga has a slight chance of being fit for this game.
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