Both teams start this game on 0 points but this does not really tell the full story about each sides start to the season. Both sets of fans will be disappointed yet aware of the circumstances that have possibly affected their opening two games.
Unai Emery was dealt a tough hand with his first two games in the English top flight; home to champions Manchester City and away to Chelsea. Under Emery, Arsenal have been playing with a different style that the players may take time to adapt to. Although they didn’t pick any points up in the end, promising signs were evident in the defeat to Chelsea.
Only three other teams have endured a worst start to the season than the Gunners. One of those is West Ham.
Five of Manuel Pellegrini’s new signings started as the Hammers were taken apart by Liverpool in their opening game of the season, throwing away a one goal lead at home to Bournemouth as they fell to another defeat. Jack Wilshire is back at the Emirates and is sure to get a good reception. He will be out to prove people wrong and his performance will be under the spotlight which will add some spice to the game.
Arsenal v West Ham Team news
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set for six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a small stress fracture in his left leg in the season opener against Manchester City. Sead Kolasanic is also not expected back in training until October after picking up a knee injury in the summer, with Laurent Koscielny continuing his recovery after Achilles surgery.
Nacho Monreal was back in the starting XI against Chelsea after recovering from a knock while Lucas Torreira will be hoping for his first starting appearance after another week of full training with his club.
Emery has resisted starting both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the same starting XI with the former settling for a spot on the bench this season; the Spaniard could be tempted to pair the two friends in attack against the Hammers.
Aside from long-term absentees Andy Carroll, Winston Reid and Manuel Lanzini, Pellegrini has a fully fit West Ham squad to choose from.
Declan Rice, Ryan Fredericks and Michail Antonio were all dropped from the match day squad on Saturday, despite all starting the opening game of the season against Liverpool.
Arsenal v West Ham Possible starting Line-Ups.
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafi, Torreira, Ramsey, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang
West Ham: Fabianski, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Sanchez, Noble, Wilshere, Anderson, Arnautovic, Perez
Arsenal v West Ham Head to Head.
Arsenal and West Ham have met on 138 occasions in the past with the Gunners winning 65 times. The Hammers have taken all three points on 34 occasions with 39 draws between the two. Last season in this fixture the Gunners were rampant 4 – 1 winners and played out a 0 – 0 draw in the reverse fixture.
Arsenal v West Ham Betting tips and Prediction
Going by West Ham’s current defensive form, expect Arsenal to pick up their first 3 points of the season in a game that will produce goals.
Arsenal to win BTTS is 6/4 at Betbright
Arsenal to win and over 3.5 goals is 8/5 at Betbright
As mentioned, expect some drama around Jack Wilshere, the ex Gunner is 7/1 to score anytime. Arsenal to win and Jack Wilshere to get carded is 19/5 with a Betbright Bundle Special
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