Arsenal Match Preview

West Ham United are set for another two-game week to end February and they start with a trip across London to The Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal this afternoon.

For the third season in succession, Mikel Arteta’s side are putting together a bid for the Premier League title but with Liverpool eight points in front and seemingly not looking like losing another match, having only lost once all season, the Gunners might have to once again settle for second place.

The Hammers arrive in North London in sixteenth place in the table and while Graham Potter will hope to move them back up the standings, this could be seen as a free-hit for his side. They have a better chance of getting points at home to newly-promoted Leicester City on Thursday night.

West Ham ended Arsenal’s long unbeaten home run last season, as they caught them cold with a 2-0 reverse, while they were under the stewardship of David Moyes. Moyes also helped his former side past them on the way to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where their run ended against eventual winners Liverpool.

Both teams have had a full week to prepare for this game but Arteta’s men go into the match off the back of a 2-0 win against newly-promoted Leicester City, whereas the visitors have suffered back-to-back defeats against Brentford and Chelsea.

Potter revealed in his pre-match news conference that Lucas Paquetá picked up an ankle injury in training and will miss this encounter, however, defender Vladimír Coufal may return to the matchday squad.

James Ward-Prowse is an option to replace Paquetá in midfield and make his first top-flight start for the club this season after making an impact against the Bees from the bench.

Evan Ferguson may make his full debut since signing on Deadline Day but the club are keen to ease him into the team, due to the Irishman not having played much football for his parent club Brighton and Hove Albion this campaign.

The Head-Coach would have been relieved that goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was able to start last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to the Bees in goal, as Łukasz Fabiański was injured, meaning Wes Foderingham filled in for him as a substitute. The Pole will be assessed to see if he can be involved.

The match is a 3pm kick-off and the referee is Craig Pawson.