While the Premier League form table makes it look as though this will be a one-sided affair with Arsenal having won four league matches on the trot and West Ham failing to win in their last six, this match is actually loaded with opportunity for both clubs.
Arsenal vs. West Ham 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream
Arsenal are riding a four-match winning streak in the EPL and will try to make it five in a row against a recently-hapless West Ham side.
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Arsenal are just four points back of Manchester City thanks to their run and City’s recently faltering form. While City have a very winnable match on paper on the road against Burnley, they could easily be caught looking ahead to their midweek Champions League bout against Barcelona and drop yet more points. If they do -- and if Arsenal can avoid losing focus themselves since they’re in the same boat -- they can crawl ever closer to second place in the EPL.
West Ham, on the other hand, can undo their recent slump in a big way if they can find a way to beat Arsenal at the Emirates. With only the EPL left on their calendar, West Ham can afford put all their eggs in one basket for this match and go all-out in their efforts to find any way to snatch the win, while Arsenal have to balance a long injury list with the need for a strong midweek squad. While West Ham have certainly had their struggles, they also have a squad very capable of exploiting any weaknesses Arsenal show, and it could be the Hammers clawing their way up the table instead by the end of the day.
Key player - Diafra Sakho (West Ham)
The Senegalese striker has a chance of a big match today, with Arsenal's back line badly depleted by injuries and facing possible rotation despite that depletion with a must-win Champions League match coming up in just a few days. That likely means playing either Nacho Monreal or Calum Chambers out of position in the middle, either of which give Sakho a very favorable matchup to try to exploit.
Key Matchup - Theo Walcott (Arsenal) vs. Aaron Cresswell (West Ham)
Walcott hasn’t been playing much this season while he works his way back to full fitness and form after his serious knee injury last season and a groin injury that set him back just when he was starting to get minutes again, but this is a good opportunity for him to show how his progress is going. With Alexis Sanchez likely needing a break and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hurt, Walcott’s in line for a rare start to try to show that he should be playing more often for Arsene Wenger’s side. Cresswell has been having a good season, but has struggled against pacy wingers this season -- if Walcott is feeling good in this match, this matchup could be what wins the match for Arsenal.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Gabriel Paulista (hamstring), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Mikel Arteta (ankle), Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder), Abou Diaby (calf) In doubt: Tomas Rosicky (ill), Mathieu Flamini (hamstring)
West Ham injuries and suspensions
Out: James Tomkins (shoulder), Winston Reid (hamstring), Enner Valencia (toe), Carlton Cole (hamstring), Andy Carroll (knee) In doubt: Alex Song (knee)
Both of these teams are pretty badly banged up, with a number of starters or key rotation players either out or walking wounded. Arsenal has better depth to deal with their injuries, but neither team will be anywhere near their best today in terms of squad strength, especially with Arsenal trying to keep players fresh ahead of their Champions League match against Monaco on Tuesday.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 11 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), Mun2 (U.S. - Spanish), TSN 1/4 (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra, FuboTV (U.S.)
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