Arsenal fit climb go top of Premier League table for small time on Saturday — if dem fit beat West Ham United for Emirates inside London derby. Mikel Arteta men dey just two points behind Liverpool wey stumble last weekend, while West Ham begin Nuno Espirito Santo era with one solid point.
Match Preview
Anytime Arsenal dey go St. James’ Park, e dey always hard. Last Sunday no different as Viktor Gyokeres penalty dey cancelled and Nick Woltemade score for Newcastle.
E be like say another bad day don start for Arsenal, but Nicolas Jover set-piece magic show face, and Gabriel Magalhaes nod in 96th-minute winner give dem 2-1 comeback victory.
The win sweet Arsenal well: e break Newcastle curse, e use Liverpool slip-up and e show title strength. With that result, if dem beat West Ham on Saturday afternoon, dem go sit top before Liverpool face Chelsea later for evening.
Form dey flow again as Arsenal don win three straight games, five out of last six for all competitions, including 2-0 for Olympiacos midweek. Dem strong at home too — just four losses inside last 42 Premier League home games. But Gooners no go forget say na West Ham don win their last two visits for Emirates without even conceding goal.
West Ham dey eye history, because only Manchester City don ever beat Arsenal away three times back-to-back for league. But truth be say, their confidence no too high. Graham Potter failure don cost am job, and new coach Santo start with 1-1 draw against Everton — Jarrod Bowen equalise after Michael Keane score. Na just four points dem get this season, all away from home. Even though their away form dey better pass home, dem still carry record of most Premier League London derby defeats (134).
Team News
Arsenal joy from Olympiacos win come with small wahala — Gabriel wey score winner for Newcastle game collect knock, but Arteta dey hopeful say him go fit play. Piero Hincapie (groin) still dey out till after international break, while Noni Madueke (knee), Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (ACL) dey miss till later this year.
Bukayo Saka fit mark him 200th Premier League game, and the last Gunner wey score on him 200th appearance na Thierry Henry back in 2005. Arsenal fans go dey hope say Saka go repeat am.
For West Ham, Tomas Soucek still dey serve suspension (last game now), while George Earthy dey out 4–6 weeks with hamstring. Aaron Wan-Bissaka dey near return from stomach problem and don train with squad. Apart from that, na the same team wey draw against Everton dey available. Captain Bowen, wey like torment Arsenal, go dey hope to add to him five career goals against dem.
Arsenal Possible Starting Lineup
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
West Ham Possible Starting Lineup
Areola; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Magassa; Bowen, Fernandes, Paqueta, Summerville; Fullkrug
Prediction
We say: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United
Arsenal suffer small for Olympiacos game but creativity no be problem with Martin Odegaard leading. If dem create same number of chances here, dem fit easily score two goals or more. Nuno Espirito Santo still dey find him first West Ham win, but e no go come for Emirates.
