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Arsenal faces West Ham United in a crucial Premier League match as they aim to maintain their title lead. West Ham, fighting relegation, desperately needs a win after a recent defeat.
West Ham United vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news
The Premier League title race reaches a critical junction on Sunday afternoon as Arsenal travel to the London Stadium to face a West Ham United side fighting for top-flight survival.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit just two points clear of Manchester City after the Sky Blues brushed aside Brentford 3–0 on Saturday. Victory today would put the Gunners in a commanding position with only two matches remaining in their domestic campaign. The visitors arrive in East London on a high after securing a place in the Champions League final by defeating Atletico Madrid in midweek.
West Ham United find themselves in a desperate fight for survival following a heavy 3–0 defeat at Brentford last weekend. That result dealt the Hammers’ survival hopes a major blow, leaving them sitting in the relegation zone. Staring down the barrel of their first drop since 2011, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men are in urgent need of a positive result.
While they have struggled in recent derbies, the hosts are unbeaten in their last six league matches at the London Stadium. Arsenal have enjoyed their recent visits to this venue, winning 6–0 and 5–2 in their last two trips.
The match is critical for Arsenal's title race and West Ham's fight against relegation.
Arsenal is currently two points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League standings.
West Ham United suffered a heavy 3–0 defeat against Brentford, worsening their relegation battle.
Arsenal secured a place in the Champions League final by defeating Atletico Madrid.
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Nuno Espírito Santo confirmed that his entire squad is healthy for this monumental clash. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is pushing for a start after appearing as a substitute last weekend. The former Manchester United defender previously scored at home against the Gunners. Nuno believes the support of the home crowd will be vital on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that everyone involved in the midweek European victory is available. However, Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain sidelined with long-term injuries. Bukayo Saka and Ben White will continue their strong partnership on the right. Martin Odegaard is also expected to return to the starting lineup.
The Hammers sit 18th in the table after last weekend’s drubbing at Brentford डील their survival hopes a major blow. Despite their poor away form, they have been a much tougher prospect at home, where they haven’t lost a match since early January. Nuno’s side has struggled significantly with set pieces this season, conceding a league-high 15 goals from corners.
Arsenal have been in clinical form, winning their last two league games and scoring in the opening ten minutes of both. Viktor Gyökeres has emerged as the league’s most lethal striker since late January, netting nine goals in his last 12 appearances with a 47% shot conversion rate. The league leaders lead the division in set-piece goals, having converted 17 times from corners alone this campaign.
West Ham Predicted XI: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Bowen, Fernandes, Soucek, Summerville; Wilson, Castellanos
Arsenal Predicted XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres
The match is televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event. Coverage begins at 16:00 BST ahead of the 16:30 kick-off. Subscribers can also stream the game via the Sky Go app.