West Ham United will host Arsenal this weekend at Upton Park. The Hammers are fresh from a victory against Queens Park Rangers and will be looking to continue their impressive league home form against an Arsenal side that recently experienced their first
defeat of the season at the hands of Chelsea.
The Gunners had been unbeaten, but Chelsea ended their streak at the Emirates in a 1-2 score line. Arsenal displayed shades of their former defensive frailties as both Chelsea goals came from set pieces which were not defended well.
The second http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vito-Mannone-c36276, who was unable to save it.
West Ham have been a force at Upton Park, but lost in an embarrassing 4-1 score line to Wigan Athletic in the Capital One Cup. Arsenal’s quick passing and tempo may cause them a lot of problems on the day. West Ham will be hoping to impose their physical
playing style on the Gunners, but will have their work cut out for them by an impressive and matured Arsenal back line.
West Ham United
Expected starting line-up:
Jussi Jasskelainen, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Guy-Demel-c15459, Matthew Jarvis, Ricardo Vaz Te, Mark Noble, Mohamed Diame, Kevin Nolan, Carlton Cole.
West Ham have a very physical team, and will be hoping to cause Arsenal problems through their imposing and direct playing style.
Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble have been the club’s best players, putting in hard and determined performances in midfield for the last couple of weeks.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952 man also featured on the score sheet against QPR by scoring
a venomous volley.
Carlton Cole starts up front as the lone striker. However, the player will likely face the towering http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429’s best defensive player since the season started.
Arsenal
Expected starting line-up:
Vito Mannone, Carl Jenkinson, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896, Gervinho, Olivier Giroud.
Manager Arsene Wenger took a gamble last weekend when he opted to start Laurent Koscielny and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 together in the centre half positions. This kept Mertesacker on the bench, who has been their best defender as of late. The manager will give Vermaelen
a rest since he has played all 6 games for the Gunners, and will start Koscielny and Mertesacker together.
Jenkinson and Gibbs will play in their regular full back positions. Both players have been dominantly consistent, and have given Wenger relief as Arsenal kept three clean sheets this season.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604, and will pair up with compatriot
Cazorla as both players continue their impressive midfield understanding and link-up play.
Up front, Olivier Giroud is likely to start in the centre half position, with Lukas Podolski and the in-from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gervinho-c14755 on the flanks. Giroud will be used for his physical presence and hold up play. The striker has still not scored in the league, and will
be hoping to finally open his account.
Prediction
I expect Arsenal to edge out on this encounter, and perhaps keep a clean sheet with Mertesacker back in the starting line-up. I predict Podolski and Giroud to score both goals and Cazorla and Gervinho with an assist each.
Final score: 0-2
Tags: