Prediction: Arsenal vs West Ham

Prediction: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League returns this weekend with the first set of fixtures, as all twenty teams start to find their feet for the season. Many have managed to get off to a really bright start whereas others have struggled to get going, with these two teams certainly falling into the latter category. Arsenal and the Hammers haven’t necessarily been poor but they haven’t blown anyone away, either, and in a London derby such as this, there will be extra motivation for both sides to put their ‘minor’ rivals in their place.

Arsenal

Kicking off the campaign against two of the best teams in the division is never going to be an easy prospect, but for the most part, Arsenal have dealt with it pretty well. Sure, they’ve got nothing to show for it, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt. They’ve got a strong squad on paper and should be capable of some big things once they get going under Unai Emery, but as we’ve said many, many times before, it’s going to take some time before this team is able to gel properly.

Team News

Aubameyang will likely be selected to start as the sole striker with Iwobi causing problems of his own, with Guendouzi continuing to impress in the middle of the park.

West Ham

The Hammers were expecting things to be different this season, but under Manuel Pellegrini, things haven’t exactly gone to plan thus far. Much like Arsenal they’re attempting to gel as a unit, but unlike the Gunners, they face more of a realistic threat when it comes to the relegation battle this season. If they can hit a good spell of form then they should easily move away from the bottom three over the next few months, but they need that little bit of luck to really get themselves firing.

Team News

Jack Wilshere will be out to make a statement against his former club, as Yarmolenko, Anderson and Arnautovic prepare to lead the attack for the visitors.

Factors to Consider

• The game will take place at Emirates Stadium.
• Arsenal lead 65-34 in the overall head to head standings.
• In their last match back in April, Arsenal beat West Ham 4-1.
• Arsenal have zero points from their first two games (2-3 vs Chelsea, 0-2 vs Man City).
• West Ham have zero points from their first two games (1-2 vs Bournemouth, 0-4 vs Liverpool).

Conclusion

Both teams are going to be pretty desperate to pick up the three points in this one, and not just because they’ve lost their first two games. They’ve got a point to prove regarding where they can end up finishing this season, and for this game, we’re going to go out on a limb and suggest that Arsenal’s quality will shine through in a 2-0 victory. They’ll score early on in front of a lively Emirates crowd, they’ll hold onto it throughout the next half an hour to 45 minutes, before sealing it midway through the second half.

Prediction: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: bet365