Xhaka and Özil could nail the Hammers to the wall

Match Preview: West Ham United vs Arsenal - Premier League - 04.12.2016

So, who is worried about Andy Carroll then? Come on, don’t be shy! I think if we are honest with each other we are all a tiny bit concerned about the Geordie lump returning to West Ham’s squad just in time for Arsenal to come calling!

Back in April, The Gunners lead 0-2 and were seemingly cruising, but Carroll’s power, strength and amazing ability to get away with numerous fouls resulted in him bagging a hat-trick in a total of 8 minutes! Only a Lauren Koscielny equaliser saved Arsene Wenger’s men from defeat at the last fixture between the two at Upton Park. So what can we expect from match, the first to be staged at the London Stadium?

It wouldn’t be unfair to say some Arsenal fan’s reaction to the midweek exit of the EFL Cup at home to Southampton was rather over the top, after all it was the first defeat Arsenal have suffered in 18 games, and in a competition that frankly nobody will remember should we beat the Hammers - something I expect us to do. Despite lacking a natural right back and facing the news of no Santi Cazorla for 3 months, The Gunners have more than enough to blow Slaven Bilic’s side away in the tea time kickoff on Saturday.

Only 3 Premier League sides have conceded more goals than West Ham so far this season (Hull City, Crystal Palace and Swansea City), and this leads me to the conclusion that attack is very much the best form of defence for Arsenal to win this game and I'm backing both teams to score with Sun Bets. On a large open pitch, Mesut Ozil’s craft coupled with Alexis and Theo Walcott’s incisive runs could open up The Hammers back line time and again. Another real area I feel we can exploit is the quick counters we love so, but it relies on Granit Xhaka starting, as without Santi he is our only deep midfielder to possess the weaponry of long passing range.

A word as well for Aaron Ramsey; granted, the Welshman has not exactly had a stellar season thus far, but many are too quick to write off a man who clearly performs at his best level when fully fit, with games under his belt and brimming with confidence. A big London derby could be just the sort of game to trigger the Ramsey we saw in the summer for his country, remember that goal and performance vs that lot up the road last season...

As for West Ham, they have a threat; let’s not pretend they are mugs. Whilst their league position and season has taken a nose dive up the talent is still there. Dimi Payet has copped plenty of flack for his recent poor performances, but on his day he is a match winner, as is Andy Carroll the same. Though the ponytailed bringer of nightmares may not start the game you can bet with 25-30 left on the clock he’ll lumber on to the pitch and no doubt catch the eye of Koscielny and Mustafi. The real worry is that he'll target an out of position Gabriel! The trickery of Lanzini or Ayew should also be kept tabs on and do I need to mention Michail Antonio’s ability in the air? 6 goals already from headers!

It’s always risky to predict such things, but I am very confident we’ll get a tune out of The Arsenal in this game and for that reason I see a comfortable win in a game that at any rate I expect to see goals in. November is behind us, so now is the time to put pressure on those above us and with Man City and Chelsea meeting in the lunchtime kickoff it’s the perfect time to put the nail in The Hammers!

COYG!

LAST 3

• West Ham 3-3 Arsenal (09.04.2016)
• Arsenal 0-2 West Ham (09.08.2015)
• Arsena 3-0 West Ham (14.03.2015)

FACTFILE

• Arsenal have won nine of the last 11 Premier League meetings between these clubs - but only earned a point from last season's two fixtures.
• West Ham have let in two or more goals in each of their last seven home Premier League games against Arsenal.
• The Gunners are unbeaten in eight league visits to West Ham (W6, D2).
• West Ham are without a win in four Premier League games (D2, L2).
• Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches (W8, D4).
• All three of the Hammers' league wins this season have been by 1-0 scorelines.
• The Gunners have gone 11 away matches without defeat in the division since losing at Old Trafford in February.
• The Hammers have lost 10 points from winning positions, more than any other Premier League side.
• Arsenal have scored six headed goals in this season's Premier League - only Crystal Palace (seven) can better that.
• Dimitri Payet has created 46 chances in the Premier League this season, 11 more than any other player.
• Theo Walcott has scored five goals against West Ham in the Premier League, the most against any opponent he has faced.
• West Ham have not beaten Arsenal at home since a 1-0 win in 2006
• Olivier Giroud has been involved in more Premier League goals from the bench than any other player this season (three goals, one assist).
• West Ham's six strikers combined have been outscored by Laurent Koscielny (2)

INJURIES

Cazorla out for 3 months (Achilles Surgery) Debuchy for 6 weeks (Hamstring) Mertesacker & Bellerin remain unavailable, Giroud faces late test on groin injury. 

POSSIBLE STARTING XI

Cech, Gabriel, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Ramsey, Alexis.

GOONERSPHERE'S PREDICTION

West Ham United 1-4 Arsenal

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