Ahead of Saturday’s London derby, we have the Arsenal vs West Ham preview, prediction, latest team news and confirmed lineups.
Arsenal Vs West Ham Preview
Almost three weeks after their last home game, Arsenal are back in action at the Emirates. On gameweek 24, the Gunners annihilated faltering champions Man City.
The 5-1 humbling served as a reminder that the North Londoners are not giving up in their pursuit for the Premier League title. Especially after Liverpool dropped points at Aston Villa.
At the time of writing, the gap has been cut to eight points so a win here is imperative. Even more so as the Merseysiders take on Manchester City 24 hours later.
Last time out, Mikel Merino scored an unlikely double to down Leicester 2-0. The Spaniard has been rumoured to fill the striker void owing to Mikel Arteta’s injury crises up top.
Raheem Sterling was given the nod but it was Merino who replaced the Chelsea loanee and duly did the business in front of goal.
In the zone 🎧
Shot on Google Pixel 🤳 pic.twitter.com/Dfa476FaSO
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 22, 2025
West Ham have really struggled to get going since Graham Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui. The former Brighton and Chelsea boss has won just one of his five league games in charge.
That victory came in against Fulham on January 14 and just one more point has been accumulated since. As it stands, the Hammers are 16th in the table.
Although they occupy a lowly position, the East Londoners are not in danger of sliding into the bottom three. However, if results don’t improve, they could get dragged into a relegation battle.
Last weekend, Brentford left the London Stadium with all three points thanks to Kevin Schade’s 4th minute winner. The 1-0 defeat was the second home game in a row Potter has come unstuck against a capital rival.
Ahead of the match, the best football betting sites in the UK price Arsenal as the 2/7 favourites. West Ham are 12/1 with the draw 11/2.
Arsenal Vs West Ham Team News
With Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli all out injured, the focus will be on who starts up top for Arsenal.
Leandro Trossard will occupy the central role and he’ll have Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino either side of him in support.
Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu isn’t likely to feature again this calendar year after undergoing knee surgery. The Japanese international has managed just six minutes of action all season.
Meanwhile, West Ham have named Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson on the bench once again. The Irish star will have to wait to make his full debut.
On the injury front, Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Vladimir Coufal and Lucas Paqueta are all missing. The latter was pictured with a protective boot on after an ankle problem suffered in training.
James Ward-Prowse is in line to start with Tomas Soucek set to make way. The Czech star was hauled off at half-time after a poor showing against Brentford.
Up next: a trip to north London ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/y1EU2YYspa
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 19, 2025
Arsenal Vs West Ham Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino
West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Alvarez, Bowen, Kudus
Arsenal Vs West Ham Prediction
Arsenal hammered West Ham 5-2 in the reverse fixture and we fully expect the Gunners to make light work of their London rivals once again.
Despite the striker problems, Mikel Arteta’s side has far too much quality and firepower to be thwarted by Graham Potter’s struggling side.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 West Ham
