Morning all.
No Gabriel in the training photos from yesterday which means he’s either ruled out for this one or Mikel Arteta is keeping Julen Lopetegui guessing. Same goes for Mikel Merino as he wasn’t in the photos either. I’d imagine if our big Brazilian is ruled out, Riccardo Calafiori will slot in alongside William Saliba with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior or Myles Lewis-Skelly will take his place. If Merino is ruled out, perhaps Ethan Nwaneri will come off the bench sooner than usual. Oh to have options eh….
During his pre match press conference yesterday, Mikel Arteta talked about how he’d like to have played Raheem Sterling more than he’s been able to, how Lewis-Skelly can play as a holding midfielder, left attacking midfielder and left back so gaps could open for him. It was no surprise to hear him say the team has missed Martin Odegaard.
On West Ham’s strengths:
Various ways to create big problems. They are a really physical side, really good in direct play, attacking second balls where they have to dominate the game through the ball. Or when they have the space they are a really dangerous team. Set pieces, and then individual quality they have, the front players can create in any moment any situation to cause you trouble. They are really well coached.
Call me an old cynic but he always says something very positive about the opposition regardless of whether we’re facing Man City or Preston. Probably because it’s respectful and because no club should be taken lightly regardless of what happened in their last game. Sport is about the here and now and our here and now is West Ham.
How do they play? Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke has the answer:
West Ham United are chasing a third successive clean sheet, so they will come into this clash feeling better about themselves from a defensive standpoint. The way they stayed organised and disciplined to shut out Newcastle United at St James’ Park was impressive, even if it was not really in keeping with their season in general.
Only three sides have a higher xG against than Julen Lopetegui’s side, who have struggled to contain the division’s stronger outfits in 2024/25. Having conceded four against Spurs, and three against Manchester City, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, we should feel confident of fashioning plenty of chances.
What I liked most about them in their 2-0 success at Newcastle was their proactive attitude out of possession. West Ham resisted the temptation to sit in a low block, instead engaging more assertively inside the middle third. If Lopetegui’s midfield unit of Tomas Soucek, Carlos Soler and Lucas Pacqueta work as hard as they did in that contest, they could disrupt our flow on occasion too. We would hope to play through them with our ability, but that trio were strong, industrious and aggressive.
Winger Jarrod Bowen is the obvious danger man. He may have only scored three goals this term, but his speed, dribbling skills and imagination inside the final third keeps all of West Ham’s opponents on their toes. Bowen’s workrate seems to have gone up a notch. He has regained possession more than any other Hammers man (62), which is no mean feat when you consider his main role is to create. On that front he has the most touches inside the opposition box (58), has created the most chances (28), and had the most shots on target (12). His duel with Riccardo Calafiori is set to be a tasty battle.
If West Ham replicate the standards they set in their last match, this could be a very competitive London derby, but should they drift back towards the rather flat performance levels we’ve seen in many of their games, Arsenal should feel confident of taking all three points. I expect Lopetegui to focus his game plan around staying solid and hurting us on transitions. Providing we perform with the same incredible sharpness we had against Sporting and Forest, they might get close enough to force too many turnovers.
This same fixture last season which took place earlier this year was bonkers. West Ham weren’t very good that day, unlike Arsenal who were ruthless. Goals from William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard gave us a 4-0 lead going into the break. Saka scored a second after half-time before Declan Rice scored against his old club to make it 6-0.
Ten summer signings and a new manager for West Ham this season but the new manager will be in the stands serving a suspension, Mohammed Kudus is suspended too and their new striker signing from Dortmund remains out injured. Jean-Clair Todibo is a doubt too.
Having picked up 7 points from a possible 9 from their last 3 home fixtures, I’d imagine West Ham are feeling a lot more confident than they were just a few weeks ago, especially after beating Newcastle away from home. But, as we saw on Tuesday night how when this Arsenal team click, they can be ruthless and that’s the Arsenal team we need to see today. One which is ruthless in front of goal and disciplined in every department.
Enjoy the game guys…
Good morning Rico, was there any sign of Declan Rice in the training pictures? In the Telegraph’s “possible” starting line-up there is no mention of him and he isn’t listed as “not available”.
Morning Cicero, now you’ve mentioned it, no. I was focusing on Gabby and Merino and forgot him.
Hopefully all three were in the gym…
Morning Rico and all.
It should be a good match, which I feel we will win 2-1 unfortunately I will have to watch the replay due to it being on at 4 am.
Morning Geoff, where’s your commitment? 😄😄
I have never fancied our chances in these games . Probably because in my first 15 years of watching the club home and away , which stopped when I got married in 1970 , we played 25 matches against them and only won 5 , drew 13 and lost 7.
Yes I looked it up but the impression is implanted .
I rarely predict results but today I fancy our chances but there’s always that little niggling voice in my ear that says something about chickens and arithmetic.
My time of going to home matches is coming to a close now as the meralgia parasthesia gets worse and my walking is more restrained and I can’t stand for more than 15 minutes and sitting on the north bank lower is a waste of time.
I think that I will qualify for the armchair of the year fans award soon if I can’t get a move to the geriatric section.
The last 2 games give me a lot of confidence,I wonder if any players are 50/50 they will be rested?
Guessing the line up is impossible,I’m looking forward to the game,COYG
Line up for today.
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Sorry to hear that Potter…
Jorginho in for Partey and Trossard for Martinelli
Late change to the line-up, Partey has a problem so Jorginho Satrs.
Hmmm, I would have preferred Martinelli.
Evening house. Merino knee and Partey muscular both out.
Gabriel, what a CB! Rumoured to be close to new contract. Timber’s asking to be booked soon if he kicks ball away or takes so long on throw ins.
Agree re Timber, speed the throw-ins up
Good news re Gabby then Andrew..
Penalty..
Taylor didn’t hesitate..
3-0 😂
4-0 😂
Raya will disappointed not to have stopped that one.
Good evening Rico and all
What a quiet first half. We need to tighten up and up the goal difference.
I hope the 2nd half won’t be tediously boring 😅😅😅😅
Cant estimate what the score is going to be!
If you want entertaining football Arsenal are the team to watch. Just as the disheartened Hammer’s supporters were getting ready to go home at half time, Arsenal give them a reason to stay for the second half. Two gifts followed by our second penalty put is back on track. Five goals, five different scorers. Keep ’em guessing. That’s the way to do it!
What a bonkers first half!
No penalties this season to two in one game..
7 goals! Mad!
Afternoon Devil.
Evening Rico.
I am trying my damned hardest not to fall asleep 😅😅😅😅
Two goals conceded but five scored, three points, second in the League.
What more could we ask for?😉
Well that was a crazy crazy match, when it went 2-4 I started thinking of that bloody 4-4 Newcastle shambles, but fortunately Fabianski had his Rocky moment.
No goals 2nd half wasn’t a surprise but it could have ended up 4-7 in the end. Califiori groin is a worry for Wednesday, all the others should be fine.
Crazy match indeed, especially being awarded two penalties…
Okay, job done. The calendar in December will be very complicated on all levels. Seconds to condition. Let’s wait.
Kev I agree with you. Infact I was telling the missus that I would not be surprised if it ended 8 or 9-4. Tbh I was a bit cheesed off we didnt get another three because we were so dominant.
With regards Calafiori he pointed to his groin but then went to take his seat on the bench, though, and not gone for any treatment – which is positive.
I guess Calafiori and Gabriel were taken off more as a precaution for Wednesday than for injury.
My son took my 8 year old grandson to his first Arsenal away match. Hope he doesn’t think it’s always going to be that exciting!
A better score line than I predicted, it seem that we are now getting that killer instink that I have been calling for years.
Rico, my commitment still there just not at 4am – 4:30 am kick off 😁
I wouldn’t be watching at that time of day either Geoff.
New post up.