Arsenal vs West Ham preview- Jan 31, 2009
Posted on | January 30, 2009 | No Comments
Game : Arsenal ( 5th- 42 points) vs West Ham United ( 8th-32 points)
Competition : English Premier League
Venue : Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Grove, London
Date : January 31, 2009
Kickoff : 15.00 GMT
Arsenal take on West Ham in a London derby on Saturday afternoon, knowing that a stutter at home could see them lose further ground to fourth placed Aston Villa.
The Gunners were only able to draw 1-1 at Everton in midweek, a result that saw a five point gap being created between them and the Villans. Had Robin Van Persie not struck a crucial injury time equaliser, five could well have become six. Mikael Silvestre’s thigh problem will keep him out of this game, and Kolo Toure could start if Wenger decides to rotate his squad around a bit. Eduardo, Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky remain unavailable for selection.
Arsenal form- last five games- all competitions ( Arsenal scorers in brackets)
Everton 1-1 Arsenal ( Robin Van Persie)
Cardiff City 0-0 Arsenal
Hull City 1-3 Arsenal ( Emmanuel Adebayor,Samir Nasri, Nicklas Bendtner)
Arsenal 1-0 Bolton ( Nicklas Bendtner)
Arsenal 3-1 Plymouth ( Robin Van Persie*2, Plymouth OG)
Arsenal have scored eight goals in these last five games. Five of these eight goals have come after eighty minutes, with Bendtner scoring two of them. Think he could score against Zola’s Hammers? Place your bet at 10Bet today.
West Ham, despite their financial problems, seem to be having no issues performing on the pitch. Gianfranco Zola’s side have managed to win six of their last seven games, and have put in some decent performances in the last two months. Carlton Cole is in good touch, and is now a favourite in the eyes of many bookmakers to finish as the Premiership‘s highest scoring Englishman this season. Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon and Dean Ashton are on the injury list for the Hammers.
David di Michele should retain his spot in the starting XI, although Zola might consider giving young signing Savio Nsereko his first start.
West Ham United- last five games- all competitions ( West Ham scorers in brackets)
West Ham 2-0 Hull City ( David di Michele, Carlton Cole)
Hartlepool 0-2 West Ham ( Valon Behrami, Mark Noble)
West Ham 3-1 Fulham ( David di Michele, Carlton Cole, Mark Noble)
Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham ( Craig Bellamy, Carlton Cole)
West Ham 3-0 Barnsley ( Herita Ilunga, Mark Noble, Carlton Cole)
The corresponding fixture last season ended 2-0 to the Gunners, with Adebayor and Eduardo scoring. West Ham have won two of their last three games away at Arsenal. I’ll take a 2-2 draw, with Van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlton Cole and Savio Nsereko scoring.
Related posts:
- Arsenal vs Sunderland preview-21 Feb, 2009
- West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur preview
- Arsenal vs West Bromwich Albion- first game of 2008/09 Premiership
- Arsenal host West Ham. Preview.
- Manchester United vs West Ham preview
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