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West Ham United vs Arsenal - Match Preview

Lukas Podolski scores Arsenal’s 1st goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on January 23, 2013.

The Gunners missed their chance to maintain their position at top of the table after getting just two points from the games against Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea. Due to the phenomenal Luis Suarez, Liverpool have overtaken Arsenal not on points but on goal difference. Arsenal have not won the last four matches in all competitions, drawing two and losing two. As League leaders, Liverpool play away at the Etihad and there is a chance that Arsenal can restore their lead at the top by winning the game against Hammers.

So far this season:

WEST HAM UNITED

 

ARSENAL

45

Average Possession (%)

55

75.6

Passing Accuracy (%)

85.1

35.1

Shooting Accuracy (%)

55.5

8

Clean Sheets

7

Big Sam has endured a difficult start to the Premier League this season. West Ham have not conceded too many, but neither they have scored many! Carlton Cole and Madibo Maiga are playing bit part role as forwards but the Irons have missed Andy Carroll badly. They need to strengthen the squad in upcoming January window if they want to stay in the Premier League. West Ham are currently in the bottom half of the table with just one point separating them from the teams in the danger zone.

Team Performance

Played

Won

Lost

Drawn

GF

GA

West Ham at Home

8

2

4

2

8

10

Arsenal away from Home

8

5

2

1

17

11

After drawing against Chelsea a few days ago at the Emirates, the Gunners will be looking forward to win the game against their London rivals come Thursday and hope Liverpool drop the points against Manchester City so that they could top the league once again. The last few weeks were extremely critical for the Wenger’s team as they qualified for the knockout stages of Champions League, drew against blistering Everton and defense minded Chelsea. The only negative from this period was the defeat at the Etihad & Arsenal will be hoping they will get back to the winning ways with a thumping win over West Ham United.

Previous Corresponding Fixture:

West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal

Goal Scorers: Diamé (21’), Giroud (41’) Walcott (77’), Cazorla (83’)

Team News

West Ham United

Winston Reid and Ricardo Vaz Te are not match fit. Kevin Nolan returns from suspension to face Arsenal. James Tomkins will be starting the game despite his arrest few days ago. Andy Carroll is still sidelined as he struggles with long term foot problem.

Arsenal

Lukas Podolski is back after missing more than 3 months of football action. Jack Wilshere will not be available as he completes the two match suspension. Laurent Koscielny could make a return to the side after missing Chelsea game with a cut on his knee. Frenchmen Yaya Sanogo and Abou Diaby are the long term absentees.

Predicted Starting XI

West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Noble; Taylor, Nolan, Diame, Jarvis; Maiga.

Arsenal:  Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Walcott, Cazorla, Özil; Giroud.

OPTA Stats

  • West Ham have lost eight and won none of their last 10 Premier League games against Arsenal.
  • Theo Walcott has scored in his last three Barclays Premier League appearances against
    West Ham.
  • Olivier Giroud has scored three goals in his two appearances against the Hammers and Santi Cazorla has two in two.
  • After going seven games without a victory in the Premier League away at a Sam Allardyce team (D3 L4), Arsene Wenger has enjoyed two victories in a row.
  • This is Arsenal’s 100th London derby away from home in the Premier League, and the Gunners have won 44 out of 99; more victories on the road than any other team in capital clashes.
  • West Ham have won their last three Premier League games played on December 26, scoring nine goals in the process.
  • Arsene Wenger’s only defeat in a Premier League game on December 26 came in 1999 (3-2 to Coventry).
  • Arsenal are the only side to score 6+ goals on December 26, when they thrashed Leicester 6-1 in 2000.
  • Carlton Cole has scored three times in three previous games on December 26.
  • West Ham have scored just three times in the first half of matches in the Premier League this season – a league-low proportion of 21% of their goals.

Match Officials

Referee: Phil Dowd.
Assistants: D Cann, L Betts. 
Fourth Official: C Breakspear.

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