13 December 2021, 13:43 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Having bagged a three-goal haul over the Saints at the weekend, the Gunners are back for this mid-week Premier League fixture against the Irons. Arsenal F.C. vs. West Ham United kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, December 15, at the Emirates Stadium.
Preview Arsenal Premier League, Dec 15, 2021
Preview A well-executed counterattack from Arsenal left Alexandre Lacazette (21') with the opener midway through the first half. Six minutes later, Martin Ødegaard (27') doubled Arsenal’s lead with a fine header. Arsenal were looking comfortable with the two-goal lead and continued to press after the break. Three minutes after the hour mark, Gabriel Martinelli (63') wrapped up the three points, having extended Arsenal’s lead to three. The comfortable win gave Arsenal their second victory in five Premier League games and six points out of a possible fifteen: LWLLW. The victory also saw Arsenal move one spot ahead on the Premier League table, from 7th to 6th place, having picked up 26 points after 8W, 2D, & 6L. Mikel Arteta breathed new life into the squad, having dropped the misfiring captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, pushing Lacazette ahead in the 4—4—1—1 formation while playing Martin Ødegaard behind the Frenchman. Unsatisfied with the recent turn of events which has seen him left on the bench, the Arsenal skipper was left out of the squad entirely for a disciplinary breach over the weekend. I think we have been very consistent that we have certain non-negotiables in the team, and he's not involved today, Mikel Arteta said when quizzed over the skipper’s absence. It's not an easy situation and not a situation we want to have our club captain in, he added. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, a similar shape with the same personnel could be seen once again on Wednesday.
Preview West Ham United Premier League, Dec 15, 2021
Preview Following the goalless draw at Turf Moor on Sunday, West Ham were only good enough to pick up a point against Burnley. The Irons failed to convert despite having several clear-cut chances. With a 60% ball possession, West Ham put together 16 shots, 3 of them on target, over the course of ninety minutes. The Hammers remained in 4th place after the draw and saw their lead over 5th-placed Manchester United reduced to a point. Two points separate West Ham from Arsenal, and a defeat here would see the Hammers drop one spot, at the very least. With 28 points from 8W, 4D, & 4L, West Ham has a form that reads: LLDWD ahead of this fixture against Arsenal. David Moyes would be leaving the 4—2—3—1 formation in place, with Michail Antonio at the top of the design.