West Ham vs Arsenal live: What time does it start, where can we watch it and what are the odds?
A look ahead to Wednesday night's Premier League clash
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Your support makes all the difference.West Ham host Arsenal on Wednesday night looking to build upon their win over Chelsea at the weekend. They face a side who haven't won in the league since their 5-0 rout of Huddersfield last month.
Preview
West Ham United will be hoping for a repeat performance against Arsenal this Wednesday after their weekend win over Chelsea.
The win, the Hammers’ first in the league for nine games, was arguably their most impressive performance of the season, and showed that David Moyes is beginning to drill this West Ham defence effectively. There were also promising signs from Marko Arnautovic, the £24m summer signing who has struggled so much this season, who grabbed the winner on Saturday. But the Hammers are still firmly ensconced in the relegation zone, falling to 19th after Crystal Palace’s win last night.
Opponents Arsenal meanwhile seem to have predictably stumbled, after a run of five wins in six games in October and November. The 1-1 final score at St Mary’s on Sunday flattered them, and their defeat against Manchester United clearly exhibited their frailty at the back. Whether West Ham can replicate the intense press or the pace of Manchester United’s attack is doubtful, but they will certainly bring a physical presence in the form of Arnautovic and Andy Carroll.
Arsenal will have to chase a third away win of the season without Aaron Ramsey, who Wenger confirmed would miss Wednesday’s match with a hamstring injury. Jack Wilshere will likely get the chance to deputise, after some encouraging performances off the bench and in the Europa League. Olivier Giroud is also pushing for selection, after yet another goalscoring cameo against Southampton, with Alexandre Lacazette, who has scored just two goals in eight appearances away from the Emirates, the man most at risk.
Moyes will likely stick with the three-man defence he deployed in recent games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City, with Aaron Cresswell continuing his Azpilicueta-esque stint in the back three. Edmilson Fernandes is out of the squad with an ankle injury, but Cheikhou Kouyaté may feature as he has recovered from a hamstring problem. Sam Byram, José Fonte and James Collins remain long-term absentees in defence. Andy Carroll could be in line for a first start since November, with Moyes talking up his record against Arsenal – he has five goals in eleven games against the Londoners.
What time does it start?
West Ham United vs Arsenal is at 20:00 on Wednesday night.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1. Coverage starts at 19.15.
It’s a big game for…
Mark Noble. Noble has been in and out of the team this season, with many West Ham fans growing frustrated with his sideways passing, and he does not bring as much energy to midfield as Edmilson Fernandes or Cheikhou Kouyaté. But his Premier League experience and leadership qualities may well prove invaluable as a congested Winter period gets underway.
He demonstrated his importance in the win over Chelsea, marshalling the defence and contributing well to the team’s defensive work on his first start for four games. His total of 20 successful tackles this season ranks only behind Pablo Zabaleta and Pedro Obiang in this West Ham side, despite the 30-year-old having played far less than either player. Noble’s industry and organisational capabilities mean he could become a key lieutenant for Moyes as the Hammers battle to beat the drop.
Best stat…
West Ham haven’t beaten Arsenal at home since 2006, with Arsenal winning eight and drawing two of their final ten visits to Upton Park.
Remember when...
If you a couple of hours to spare, this video of Arsene Wenger’s proto-Invincibles beating West Ham 3-1 in 2003 is a nice way to fill them. The game had it all: Dennis Bergkamp pinging the ball around, a Thierry Henry hat-trick and some questionable refereeing decisions…
Player to watch…
Mesut Özil. When Özil plays well, Arsenal play well and their run of five wins in six games before the defeat against Manchester United was punctuated by five assists and two goals from the German, after a slow start to the season.
However, the 29-year-old is notoriously inconsistent, and seems to have lost his way again in the past two games. With the January transfer window coming up, and his contract expiring in the summer, the German will be keen to showcase his talents against West Ham, to earn himself a bumper contract at Arsenal or, more likely, elsewhere.
Previous three meetings…
Arsenal 3 West Ham United 0, Premier League, April 2017
West Ham United 1 Arsenal 5, Premier League, December 2016
West Ham United 3 Arsenal 3, Premier League, April 2016
Form guide…
West Ham United: LDLLW
Arsenal: WWWLD
Odds…
West Ham United: 17/4
Arsenal: 8/13
Draw: 10/3
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