Arsenal vs West Ham United
Date: 22/04/2018
K/O: 13:30 pm
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Lee Mason
The first game of Super Sunday will see Arsenal playing host to West Ham United, in what will be the first game since Arsene Wenger’s announcement that the Gunners boss stepping down from the helm at the end of the season, ending his 22 year managerial reign at the club.
Wenger will be hoping that his announcement sparks a reaction from his players as they hope to recover from their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle last weekend. However, with the Europa League being the main target for silverware for Arsenal this season, there could be a rotated side out for the Gunners.
Embed from Getty ImagesDavid Moyes will be wary of the threat Arsenal possess and will be sure to set up with the same defensive manner which has kept them unbeaten in their last three games. A 1-1 draw against a poor Stoke City last time out has almost confirmed the Hammers survival status for another season, if they were to get a result it would be huge for their Premier League prospects.
Team News
The only players to miss the game through injury for Arsenal will be Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Santi Cazorla. Furthermore Jack Wilshere remains a doubt as he missed the Newcastle game with a ankle injury. Aaron Ramsey is set to return after recovering from a deep gash to his leg.
Moyes looks set to replace Joe Hart with Adrian between the sticks after his error last time out led to a Stoke City goal. Moyes also will be without James Collins as he struggles to recover from a hamstring injury, while Pedro Obiang, Sam Byram, Michail Antonio and Winston remain unavailable as they recover form long-term injuries.
Embed from Getty ImagesPredicted Starting XI’s
Arsenal: Cech, Monreal, Mertesacker, Mustafi, Chambers, Elneny, Xhaka, Iwobi, Ozil, Welbeck, Aubameyang
Formation: 4-2-3-1
West Ham United: Adrian, Masuaku, Ogbonna, Rice, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Mario, and Arnautovic.
Formation: 5-3-2
Prediction: Arsenal 3 West Ham 1
Arsenal will be up for this game, as they will want to give Arsene Wenger a fitting send off. The gunners should have a bit to much quality against a fragile West Ham. However with one eye on the Europe League could be their downfall. I’d expect a close game as West Ham have proven tough to break down in recent weeks, but Arsenal should be winning games like this.
Written by Henry Tomlinson.
