Typical Arsenal. These two words sum up brilliantly the performance with which the Gunners demolished Watford last week. When the pressure is off and there is nothing left to play for, Arsenal plays like a team that is destined for glory. Whereas, in reality, they play like that to secure their place in the sacred elite of Premier League’s top 4.
However, while Arsenal are starting to play freely now, here is a team in West Ham that hasn’t allowed many teams to do that against them.
West Ham know that a win in this fixture would increase their chances to finish in the Champions League places. Thus, while the Gunners are coming into this match with all guns blazing, their visit of the Boleyn Ground might not be welcoming.
They might be sitting 7-points ahead of West Ham, but the recent form of both teams gives the home side an edge in this fixture.
West Ham have collected 12-points in their last 6 games in the Barclays Premier League. While this might not be a title winning statistic, the fact that Arsenal are lagging behind the Hammers with 10-points in the same period shows how far The Hammers have come this season.
With the duo of Iwobi and Elneny in the form of their lives and Alexis Sanchez back to his personal best, Wenger would not risk the wrath of the Arsenal faithful by making changes in his squad.
However, having said that, there is one change Arsenal fans would urge Wenger to make in this fixture. Petr Cech has returned from his injury and should replace David Ospina in the Arsenal squad on Saturday.
Thus, with only the Premier League left to play for them this season, here is how the Gunners are expected to lineup in this fixture of varied importance for both sides …
