Match Preview: Arsenal vs. West Ham – Premier League 15.04.2014

And so we plunge right back into the Premier League after booking an appearance in the FA Cup final for the the first time since 2005, and by a margin that could scarcely be any narrower. There will be something in it for everyone: a win, however narrow, gives those who want to see top-to-bottom changes as well as those who want minor tweaks ample fodder. However, the raging debate will have to wait as we host the Hammers on Tuesday.

There are bound to be some weary legs from Saturday, as Mertesacker, Sagna, Arteta, Ox, and Cazorla played the full 120 minutes, and let’s hope that the emotional surge of getting to the final hasn’t ebbed to the point that we slip. After all, there’s still fourth to chase, and we can ill afford to drop points on the assumption that Everton will do us any favors (they very nearly did on Saturday, needing a 75^th minute own-goal to see off Sunderland). As concerns West Ham, we can take some comfort from having handled them comfortably in December—a 1-3 win at Upton Park—and from having beaten them in our last seven meetings. West Ham have little to play for, resting mid-table and needing to find five points (less what Fulham drop) to avoid relegation.

The Hammers, though, have proven stubborn in recent weeks, losing 1-2 to Liverpool and 1-0 to Everton, and we’d be reckless to assume that we can saunter in and claim the three points. We all but know what to expect from them, then. Mourinho may have derided it as “19^th century football” but we’ll set aside the hypocrisy of criticizing the Hammers for playing not to lose. I digress. Look to West Ham to defend deep and in numbers, punctuated by long balls hoofed forward in hopes of finding Andy Carroll at the other end. Denying him service will go a long way towards snuffing out the threat that West Ham poses at the offensive end—West Ham have managed 14 away-goals in 16 matches. Going forward, we’ll have to negotiate a thicket of defenders and midfielders who, if nothing else, will be in the way. This could lead to some frustrating stretches of football as we probe and explore, dominating possession without much to show for it. Then again, West Ham haven’t kept a clean sheet since 11 February, so picking the lock might come more easily than I’ve just suggested.

LAST 3 Meetings

• West Ham 1-3 Arsenal (26.12.2013)
• Arsenal 5-1 West Ham (23.01.2013)
• West Ham 1-3 Arsenal (06.08.2012)

FACTFILE

• Arsenal have not lost to West Ham since April 2007—a run of 12 matches.
• Arsenal have scored at least three goals in its last four matches against West Ham.
• West Ham’s 13 clean sheets is second in the Prem, behind only Chelsea.

INJURIES

Walcott (knee), Diaby (knee), Gnabry (knee), Miyaichi (hamstring), Wilshere (ankle), and Özil (hamstring) are still ruled out, and there are a number of late fitness tests after the FA Cup semifinal: Koscielny might return, as might Rosický, whiel Monreal (leg), Podolski (tightness), Ox (tightness), and Ramsey (tightness)  will be tested. Flamini is serving the second of his two-game suspension.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI

Szczesny; Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna; Källström, Arteta; Podolski, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Giroud.

There’s simply too much at stake for Arsenal to let up; the carry-over from Saturday will be momentum, not fatigue.

GOONERSPHERE's PREDICTION

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

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