Arsenal v West Ham
Barclays Premier League
Saturday January 31, 3pm
LAST MEETING: West Ham 0–2 Arsenal (26-10-2008) A Julien Faubert own-goal in the 75th minute got the ball rolling for the Gunners before Emmanuel Adebayor rubbed salt into the Hammers’ wounds with a last minute goal.
LAST TIME AT EMIRATES: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham (01-01-2008) Eduardo scored an early goal to puncture West Ham’s hopes of an upset, before Adebayor struck soon after to put the game out of reach.
HEAD TO HEAD: Arsenal 50 wins, West Ham 33 wins, 36 draws
FORM: It has been an unconvincing season so far for Arsene Wenger’s men, as they currently lie fifth, well adrift of leaders Manchester United, and behind Aston Villa, who are determined to finish in the top four this season.
DANGER MAN: Forward Robin van Persie has been in sparkling form in recent weeks, tormenting defences with his silky touch and deft movements, while he also has eight league goals to his name already this season.
FUN FACT: Former England cricketer and ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ winner Phil Tufnell, below, is an avid Gooner. The slow left-arm bowler won’t want to see West Ham put his side in a spin at the Emirates.
PREDICTION: Arsenal 2 West Ham 2
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