West Ham vs Arsenal prediction: How will Premier League clash play out this evening?
West Ham host Arsenal this evening, hoping to bounce back after their midweek defeat by Wolves.
The Hammers ended a torrid run of recent form by stunning Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but failed to capitalise on that performance by falling to a 2-0 loss at the Molineux. Their latest loss leaves them 16th in the league, just one point above the relegation zone.
Tonight they play Arsenal, another team struggling for form. In fact, victory for West Ham tonight will leave the London rivals level on points. Follow the latest below:
Team news coming up! West Ham, 16th, host Arsenal, 11th. Just three points separate the sides and there's plenty at stake tonight, particularly with the managerial positions for both clubs.
The Gunners go with Tierney at left-back, Torreira into his more favoured withdrawn midfield role and Gabriel Martinelli starting in the attacking line.
Just a few minutes to kick-off and both teams will have reason to think they can take the points here. A win for Arsenal puts them into the top half; West Ham need to win by four to overtake their opponents in the table.
10' - Pepe does well to surge forward down the right, before Arsenal switch play and win a corner down the left. West Ham's record of defending set-pieces isn't good this season - but they clear this one easily.
14' - No clear chances for either team in the first quarter of an hour. West Ham enjoying a spell of possession, but Antonio doesn't have much support in attack.
18' - Arsenal neat and tidy on the ball in the middle third, but not making any ground behind West Ham's defensive line. The tempo is rather slow so far tonight.
22' - West Ham go short from a free-kick, Felipe Anderson gets the ball and falls to ground under a challenge from Sokratis. No foul, no penalty given.
27' - Arsenal lost right-back Hector Bellerin in the warmup; now they're losing left-back Kieran Tierney. Seemed to injure his shoulder in a clash in the penalty box. Could be a dislocation.
32' - A cross from the left is met by Ozil in the six-yard box, but with his head, which he's not renowned for scoring with. He nods over and West Ham escape. Straight up the other end, Antonio drills in a shot from a narrow angle and forces Leno into a save.
36' - Pepe has been down with a knee issue and needing treatment after a tackle from Cresswell. It's only a throw-in for Arsenal though and the home fans boo Pepe off the pitch.
