A seemingly unstoppable Arsenal is gearing up for a challenging clash against West Ham United following their impressive 3-1 triumph over league leaders Liverpool last weekend. The Gunners, currently in third place with a record of 15 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses, have emerged as strong contenders in the tightly contested English Premier League race, now just a step behind the top two teams.
In the noteworthy win against Liverpool on Feb. 4, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard showcased their scoring prowess, securing a well-deserved victory for coach Mikel Arteta’s side. Notably, Arsenal limited Liverpool to just one shot on target, highlighting their defensive resilience.
Arteta attributed the recent turnaround in form, marked by three consecutive league wins, to the team’s unwavering belief in their approach. Speaking on Friday, he emphasized the importance of consistency, stating, “Let’s keep going in the same direction, do things better, more efficiently and results will come. That’s what we did.”
The Gunners had faced a challenging period earlier, losing three straight matches across all competitions, including a 2-0 home league defeat to West Ham. However, their recent resurgence has instilled confidence in the squad.
Bukayo Saka, with eight goals and seven assists, leads Arsenal in both categories, while Gabriel Martinelli has found the back of the net three times in the Premier League since New Year’s Day.
As Arsenal which appears to be unstoppable at the moment, looks to maintain their winning streak, they face West Ham United, a team that has already claimed two victories over the Gunners this season. Despite West Ham’s recent struggles, sitting in seventh place with a record of 10 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses, they have the opportunity to secure a three-game season sweep against Arsenal.
However, West Ham will be without playmaker Lucas Paqueta, who sustained a calf injury in their previous meeting with Arsenal and has been sidelined since. The absence of Paqueta has impacted West Ham’s offensive output, with only four goals scored in their last six matches, three of which ended in goalless draws.
West Ham coach David Moyes acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “We’ve got them at home, but we’re also really aware how good a side they are.” Despite their previous success against Arsenal, Moyes emphasized the formidable nature of the Gunners, highlighting their consistent contention for the Premier League title over the past two years.
The upcoming clash promises to be a compelling battle as Arsenal aims to build on their recent success, while West Ham looks to rediscover their winning form against a formidable opponent. The stage is set for an intense encounter between two competitive sides in the race for Premier League glory.
