West Ham vs Arsenal: 3 ways Arsenal can exploit their London rivals

#3: Press all over the pitch

Pressing is a non-negotiable Arsenal invariably use on matchday, and it could be particularly fruitful against an uncertain Hammers side.

While not a trademark of their tactical setup, West Ham occasionally attempt to pass out from the back if the opportunity naturally arises during their counter-attacking endeavours. However, they lack the confidence and technique to consistently pull it off and may struggle to do so when faced with a dogged Gunners’ frontline.

Aside from advanced areas, Mikel Arteta’s men can also cause problems when pressing in midfield or even use the press to protect themselves if they lose out in duels. The hosts have enough physicality and ball winners to recover possession in the centre and may subsequently hurt Arsenal on the break.

We must therefore work as a unit to hound them and ensure they do not get time to pick out penetrative passes, or even try to quickly win the ball back ourselves and reassert control.

It promises to be a real dogfight out there, and we have the tools to emerge victorious.