Unbelievable situation means West Ham can once again end Arsenal’s title hopes. West Ham fans took great pleasure in derailing Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes last season and now they can do it again.
Arsenal were leading the way in the Premier League when West Ham rocked up to the Emirates on December 28th 2023. The Hammers, who had already beaten the Gunners in the League Cup earlier in the season, stunned Mikel Arteta’s side to seriously dent their title challenge.
It was a ruthless display by West Ham who also missed a late penalty conceded by ex captain Declan Rice to make the score even more convincing. That victory ended up derailing Arsenal.
And to rub salt in the wound Man City came back to win the title on the final day – courtesy of a walk-in-the-park win over the Hammers at the Etihad. In truth West Ham have been in a downward spiral ever since that win at Arsenal. The 14 months since have been disastrous.
No Europe, out of both domestic cups at the third round stage and sitting 16th in the Premier League table. This was not what the Hammers had in mind when they spent £155m on a big rebuild last summer. Meanwhile the Gunners have once again launched a title challenge this season.
Unbelievable situation as West Ham go to Arsenal
This time it is Arsenal who must come from behind if they want to win the league for the first time in over two decades.
Liverpool have a seven-point lead with 13 games to go.
This week promises to be pivotal in the title tussle and West Ham could once again play a big part. Liverpool face three tough games in a week against Aston Villa, Man City and Newcastle on Thursday, Monday and Thursday.
Arsenal face West Ham on Saturday were nothing but a win will do. Now an unbelievable situation means West Ham can once again end Arsenal’s title hopes.
Looking at the form table, the Gunners would be massive favourites to beat Graham Potter’s Hammers. But Arsenal were rather fortunate to beat woeful Leicester with late goals last time out.
West Ham were dreadful in the first half of their 1-0 defeat to Brentford at the weekend. The Hammers reportedly beat Arsenal to the signing of Evan Ferguson in the winter window, though.
And West Ham were much-improved when the Irishman came on for his debut as a second half substitute. How Arteta could do with Ferguson for the run-in.
Because the Spaniard has been left in a terrible situation with a lack of forward options for the game against West Ham. West Ham can once again end Arsenal’s title hopes. Arsenal are down to just three fit forwards for the visit of the Hammers.
Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz are all out for Arsenal. As a result Arteta has just Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling available.
Arsenal played Mikel Merino as a false nine against Leicester such is their desperation. Although it ended up working out as he scored the two goals to seal the win.
West Ham meanwhile are getting back to full strength with Jean-Clair Todibo available and likely to come back into the backline.
Ferguson is also set to start his first game for the Hammers. With little to play for in the last 13 games, West Ham should be motivated to give their fans something to shout about by putting the final nail in Arsenal’s title hopes.
Trio are the only fit Gunners forwards for Hammers
It’s rather tragic that is the only thing the Hammers have to play for thanks to the awful mismanagement of Julen Lopetegui, Tim Steidten and the owners.
But beating Arsenal and killing their dreams would at least give supporters some bragging rights as a consolation. Sterling looks finished as a top class Premier League attacker.
And while Trossard and Nwaneri are clearly excellent players, West Ham would rather be facing them than Saka and co. If Liverpool win against Villa, a 10-point gap will pile the pressure on Arsenal.
West Ham can then take advantage of any nerves and Arteta’s major issues in the forward line to give this dreadful campaign some meaning. Stopping Rice winning the trophy he said he left West Ham for would make it all the more sweet too.
