Premier League Preview: Arsenal vs West Ham United – Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024

Ready to make the short trip across London for an exciting Premier League match against city rivals West Ham at the London Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s revitalized Gunners will be keen to build on their recent successes. 

Saturday’s late kickoff promises to be a thrilling clash as Arsenal are looking to win back-to-back league games for the first time since early-October. 

Arsenal Riding High After European Masterclass (-227 at EveryGame)

Mikel Arteta’s men can climb up to second in the Premier League standings and narrow the gap to six points ahead of Liverpool’s clash with defending champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Fresh from a stunning 5-1 triumph over Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League, The Gunners will approach Saturday’s derby brimming with confidence. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Leandro Trossard were all on target in a match that was a showcase of Arsenal’s attacking prowess. The Gunners’ emphatic midweek win not only reinforced their European credentials but also highlighted a resurgence in form following a challenging spell in the Premier League.

That dominant display came hot on the heels of a commanding 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend. The victory ended a four-game winless streak in the Premier League and kept Arsenal in the top four, trailing Liverpool by nine points but sitting just one behind Manchester City, who face a daunting trip to Anfield on Sunday.

While Arsenal’s away form has been patchy of late, with their last league victory on the road coming in mid-September, their record in London derbies is exceptional. Since the start of the 2022-23 campaign, the Gunners have lost just two of 26 Premier League derbies, scoring in 25 of those games. The one exception? A goalless draw against none other than West Ham.

A slight concern for Arsenal following their triumph in Portugal was the late withdrawal of key defender Gabriel Magalhaes. While the exact nature of his issue remains unclear, it would not be surprising if Mikel Arteta opts to rest him ahead of the crucial midweek clash with Manchester United.

To cover Gabriel Magalhaes’ potential absence, Arteta has two primary options. He could replicate Tuesday’s approach by bringing in Jakub Kiwior for a like-for-like swap, or he might deploy Riccardo Calafiori as a central defender, shifting Oleksandr Zinchenko to the left-back position.

The Arsenal manager may also consider a few tactical changes to refresh the starting XI. As seen in his unexpected selection against Nottingham Forest, Arteta could rotate by bringing in Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard to inject fresh energy into the side.

On the injury front, Kieran Tierney’s return from a hamstring issue – making the bench during the Champions League round – is a welcome boost. However, long-term knee injuries continue to sideline Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White, leaving them as Arsenal’s only confirmed absentees.

West Ham Eyeing Consistency After Newcastle Upset (+625 at EveryGame)

Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United stunned Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Monday night, with goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka ending a dismal run of away form. The result marked the Hammers’ first road win since August and provided a much-needed boost to a side sitting 14th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Back at the London Stadium, West Ham have been formidable, taking seven points from their last three home matches. Wins against Ipswich Town and Manchester United, coupled with a draw against Everton, have helped to rebuild the team’s fortress-like reputation in East London. Furthermore, the Hammers have avoided defeat in three of their last four encounters with Arsenal, though they were soundly beaten 6-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.

Julen Lopetegui will, however, be absent from the touchline on Saturday due to a suspension, as will key attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who will serve the final of his five-game suspension. On the injury front, Niclas Fullkrug is unlikely to recover from a calf issue in time, while Jean-Clair Todibo may also miss out, potentially paving the way for former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos to start.

Possible Starting Lineups of West Ham United and Arsenal 

• West Ham United: Lukasz Fabiański – Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, Emerson Palmieri – Tomas Soucek – Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Carlos Soler, Crysencio Summerville – Michail Antonio. (4-1-4-1) 
• Arsenal: David Raya – Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori – Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino – Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard. (4-3-3)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Arsenal’s creative midfield trio of Rice, Merino and skipper Odegaard will look to dominate possession against West Ham’s industrious unit anchored by Tomas Soucek. Meanwhile, the speed and directness of Bowen and Summerville could pose a threat to Arsenal’s backline, particularly on counterattacks.

With Arsenal rediscovering their attacking rhythm after the international break, the Gunners are clear favorites to secure their first away league win in over two months. While West Ham’s recent resurgence should make this a competitive encounter, Mikel Arteta’s side boast the firepower to edge past their London rivals. 

A tighter affair than last season’s 6-0 thrashing is likely, but Arsenal’s quality should shine through.

Spooky Express Free Play: Outcome And Both To Score – Arsenal To Win and Yes +205 at EveryGame for 4/10 Units

Spooky Express Free Play 2: Bukayo Saka Anytime Goalscorer +145 at EveryGame for 4/10 Units