Prediction: West Ham vs Arsenal

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In an all-Premier League showdown on Wednesday night, Arsenal will travel to the London Stadium with an EFL Cup quarter-final spot up for grabs.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, while West Ham might have opened the new campaign in the midst of a real flurry, the Hammers have certainly come crashing back down to earth since returning from October’s international break. Last seen over the weekend putting in another worrying display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home against Everton, it appears that there is mounting pressure on David Moyes’ position. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a routine 4-1 drumming at the hands of Aston Villa earlier in the month, the one-time Manchester United boss has seen his squad lose each of their last three appearances across all competitions. Gaining a reputation for their rather glaring issues at the back, West Ham will be more than aware that they face another stern examination here. Watching their extended European romp come to an abrupt end last week as they suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Greek giants Olympiacos, it should also be noted that Moyes’ men have recorded just a single victory from their previous five showdowns against Premier League opposition.

Team News

While both Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta might be set to serve a Premier League suspension next weekend, Moyes is free to use both first-team stars on Wednesday night. Likewise, after missing out against Everton over the weekend after being hit with a one-match suspension, ex-Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri will make a full return and should replace Aaron Creswell at left-back.

With the Hammers expected to make a handful of changes here, the likes of Lukasz Fabianski and Dinos Mavropanos could be handed a recall at the London Stadium here.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, putting in another rampant performance over the weekend and storming their way to a 5-0 victory against Sheffield United, Arsenal are riding what has been a major wave of momentum. With their sights firmly set on mounting yet another title charge this time around, Mikel Arteta’s budding squad will be confident of making another statement here. Unbeaten in any of their first 10 Premier League appearances, the Gunners have also continued to shine with their free-scoring performances in the final third. Signing off September with a 4-0 romp away at Bournemouth, Arsenal should also be excited by an eye-catching record against their London rivals. Along with being unbeaten in any of their previous eight showdowns against Wednesday’s hosts, Arteta’s side have also suffered just a single defeat in east London since way back in November 2006. Flying out of the traps since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the Gunners certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high.

Team News

Arsenal have already confirmed that they will travel to the London Stadium on Wednesday night without the trio of Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey. Dealing with a recent knock, skipper Martin Odegaard could be handed a rest here.

Completing a £100million move from West Ham over the summer, England international Declan Rice will start at the heart of Arteta’s midfield in midweek. Bagging a first Premier League hat-trick against Sheffield United a few days ago, 24-year-old Eddie Nketiah should once again spearhead Arsenal’s charge in east London.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on April 16th, West Ham and Arsenal played out a 2-2 stalemate at the London Stadium.
• The Gunners are unbeaten in each of their previous eight straight showdowns against Wednesday’s hosts.
• Including a 1-0 loss against Everton over the weekend, West Ham have lost each of their last three appearances across all formats.
• Arsenal are still yet to suffer a single Premier League defeat from any of their opening 10 appearances.
• Arteta’s side have suffered just a single defeat in east London since way back in November 2006.

Conclusion

Putting in another rampant performance over the weekend as they cruised their way to a 5-0 romp against Sheffield United, Arsenal will arrive in east London looking to make another statement here. Still yet to suffer a single Premier League defeat from any of their first 10 appearances, the Gunners will be looking to cash in on a West Ham squad that find themselves in the midst of a public struggle. Losing each of their last three appearances across all formats and showing some rather glaring issues at the back, Arsenal are rightfully tipped as a standout contender on Wednesday night. Suffering just a single defeat in east London since way back in November 2006, we are expecting an away victory for the title contenders here.

Verdict: Arsenal win 

Best Odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet