Premier League: Can the Gunners Hold their Nerve?

West Ham United vs Arsenal

Eight games to go, eight results needed, it’s a simple as that for Premier League leaders Arsenal as they prepare to meet West Ham in a fizzing London clash on Sunday.

More accurately, if they can avoid defeat against Manchester City when they visit the Etihad Stadium on 26^th April and win their other seven games then had coach Mikel Arteta will have guided the Gunners to a first league title in 20 years.      

Arsenal dropped points in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool last week, and that made the Premier League 2023 betting odds take a shift northwards towards Manchester City who are now odds on favourites at a price of 1.66 to win the 2022/23 title. The Gunners are still at odds of 2.00, and a twist in their favour could still happen. Indeed, should both title contenders win this weekend and then Arsenal triumph at home to Southampton while City are on FA Cup manoeuvres, Arteta’s side could go to Manchester with a nine point lead and that would add a just a little more pressure on the Mancunians.

The first hurdle to jump over is a tricky encounter at the London Stadium, against a West Ham side, which is on the up. David Moyes has guided his team to two wins from the last three, a 1-0 victory away to high flying Fulham which lifted them away from the relegation zone. 

With Manchester City hosting Leicester City on Saturday, the gap will likely to down to three points when these London neighbours meet…and that is when the Gunners need to hold their nerve.     

Talking Points

Saliba out for Arsenal

Centre back Rob Holding looks set to deputise again for the injured William Saliba after the France international has missed training again this week. While the Gunners have wowed fans with their flair players this term, Saliba has been brilliant at the back with his calm defensive performances and ability to launch and support attacks. He has missed the last three games with a back injury and with the winner-takes-all clash against Manchester City looming, Arteta will be reluctant to rush him back too early.

Holding has been a capable deputy but there was little he could do to stop a late Liverpool onslaught on Sunday and it was down to keeper Aaron Ramsdale to make three outstanding saves, late in the game, to preserve what could be a crucial point for the Gunners.        

The much discussed spat between Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and linesman Constantine Hatzidakis was an unhelpful distraction during the game as it happened after the Londoners had raced into a two goal lead as the brilliant Gabriel Martinelli scored one goal and made another for Gabriel Jesus.

But it turned out to be a frustrating afternoon for the Gunners who had to settle for a point when Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino struck.    

Hammers in Europa action

While West Ham have toiled for much of the Premier League campaign, they have been superb in Europe and have a Europa League Conference quarter final against Gent on Thursday night. Moyes will use his full squad with the visit of Arsenal on the horizon but will put out a strong team in a competition he feels he can win.

And winning is a habit.

After a handy run of Premier League 2023 results, the Hammers are out to a SBOTOP price of 15.00 to go down, with six teams below seemingly set for a battle to the death. But, Moyes’ boys are still only three points above the drop zone, with a game in hand and they could easily get dragged into the scrap, so they will be up for the fight against Arsenal.      

The key battle will be in the midfield where West Ham’s best players, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, will aim to dominate against Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, as Liverpool did in the second half at Anfield.    

History

Arsenal have had a lot of success against their East London neighbors in the Premier League era, winning 37 of their 55 encounters, while drawing ten and losing just eight over the last three decades. In fact, the Gunners have won five of the last six, drawing the other, a six goal thriller at the London Stadium in 2021.     

But in terms of recent form the Hammers have the edge, winning four of their last six games while Arsenal have won three. 

Betting Tip

Arsenal are unbeaten in five games on the road and they will have to be at their best to keep that run going. At odds of 1.53 to win Arteta’s team would be delighted with another three crucial points while, at 4.84 to win and 3.83 to draw the Hammers will fancy their chances of eking out a result.

The Gunners might just squeeze through but I think this would have been an easier task for them a month ago.      

 

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