Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal vs West Ham Premier League preview: How to watch, lineups, Auba future & prediction

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) hugs Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he leaves the field during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) hugs Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he leaves the field during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Arsenal, Auba
Arsenal vs West Ham preview: Top four chasing Premier League clash with Arteta having a decision to make on Aubameyang. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Arsenal are right back into Premier League action on Wednesday as they host fellow European hopefuls West Ham at the Emirates Stadium in a mouth-watering clash. Here is the match preview.

Returning to winning ways was paramount after successive defeats on the road, and the 3-0 win over Southampton was the near ideal response to their Goodison Park setback.

Clearly still reeling from that 2-1 defeat, a nervy opening 20 minutes unfolded in which Arsenal could not get out of their own half or assume any meaningful possession of the ball. The sloppiness returned and the Saints high press caused all manner of issues.

Plugging away at their approach, a back-to-front opening goal of real class settled the nerves and from thereon in it was fairly plain sailing for the Gunners.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1470004843599495168

Arsenal vs West Ham preview: Top four chasing Premier League clash with Arteta having a decision to make on Aubameyang

As positive as it was securing another clean sheet and showing variance with the goals scored, those are the kinds of matches that Arsenal are supposed to be winning. Especially on home soil. It’s how they fare against the sides in and around them that will shape their season, which makes Wednesday’s game a truer measuring stick.

Drawing a blank at Turf Moor kept West Ham in the top four, but they now sit only two points clear of Arsenal in the Premier League table and just the one point ahead of Manchester United in fifth. Victory over the Hammers would be a huge statement for Mikel Arteta’s side to make having come up short in each of the occasions they’ve faced fellow European chasers this term.

Boasting excellent home form will put them in good stead, yet the quality of opposition faced during that time slightly masks the achievement. They need to be winning these matches to realise their goals this season.

With the inexperience and youthfulness of the team it’s expected there will be further steps back before steps forward. In those situations, having your captain around might help. As it stands, there is no word on whether Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be back with the team for the game following his disciplinary breach.

The details of the incident have been made known and Arteta has a huge decision on his hands both in regards to his involvement, and perhaps even the captaincy. It’s an unwanted distraction at a key stage of the campaign.

If this showdown required any more spicing up, this saga is doing just that. It’s going to be an invigorating clash.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 15 December
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Emirates Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Anthony Taylor

Continued on next page…

Home/Arsenal News