Arsenal vs West Ham United
English Premier League
Saturday, March 20, 2010
17.30 local time at the Emirates Stadium, London
A week after beating Hull City in their own backyard, Arsenal will be looking to pick up their sixth straight win in all competitions when they host local rivals West Ham United at the Emirates on Saturday evening.
The Gunners were made to work hard for their victory on Humberside last Saturday, with Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner netting an injury time winner.
Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin gave Arsenal the lead in the 14th minute at the KC Stadium after being set up by Bendtner. It was Arsenal’s 100th goal of the 2009-10 season, but Hull were back on level terms when referee Andre Marriner gave the Tigers a penalty for Campbell’s foul on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Jimmy Bullard sent Almunia the wrong way to equalise for Hull.
Arsenal have made it a habit of sorts to score injury time winners in recent times and last week was no different. Denilson’s long range effort was parried away by Hull keeper Boaz Myhill, but unfortunately for Hull, Bendtner was first to the ball and he converted from close range.
Bendtner is definitely worth placing a few quid on this weekend. His finishing can be patchy at times, but the tall Dane is in decent nick at this moment. The statistics below from Arsenal’s last five games will tell you the story.
Hull 1-2 Arsenal ( Arshavin, Bendtner)
Arsenal 5-0 FC Porto ( Bendtner*3, Nasri, Eboue)
Arsenal 3-1 Burnley ( Fabregas, Walcott, Arshavin)
Stoke 1-3 Arsenal ( Bendtner,Fabregas,Vermaelen)
Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland ( Bendtner, Fabregas)
Team news :- Aaron Ramsey, Johan Djorou, Robin Van Persie and William Gallas are definitely injured.
Skipper Cesc Fabregas could be back after missing the Hull game due to injury.
Alex Song is available after serving a one match ban.
West Ham have lost their last three games in the league, but one needs to remember that two of those games were against Chelsea and Manchester United, and that both games were away from home. The Hammers are just three points above the relegation zone at this moment.
West Ham statistics- last five games-
Chelsea 4-1 West Ham ( Scott Parker)
West Ham United 1-2 Bolton ( Alessandro Diamanti)
Man United 3-0 West Ham United
West Ham 3-0 Hull ( Valon Behrami, Carlton Cole, Julien Faubert)
West Ham 2-0 Birmingham ( Alessandro Diamanti, Carlton Cole)
Arsenal met the Hammers two months ago in the FA Cup, and needed late goals from Ramsey and Eduardo to beat the Hammers. The last meeting in the Premier League between the two sides ended in a 2-2 draw.
Verdict:- Arsenal 2-0 West Ham