Pain in the Arsenal
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3 reasons why Arsenal must dominate West Ham & Southampton

By Charles Binns

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal on the bench before the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal on the bench before the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) /
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The title could come down to goal difference. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The title could come down to goal difference. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /

2. Goal difference is important

Manchester City lead the race in goal difference (GD). If the title race is so close that the points tallies are identical, whoever has a better GD will win the Premier League.

At one point the Gunners were out of sight in terms of equalling City in this category, but were able to pull it back to five after drawing at Anfield. However, the Citizens were able to put three past the Dean Smith-led Leicester side and have moved their total to 50. Arsenal currently has a GD of 43. Heading into London Stadium on Sunday the Gunners will need to ensure that they have their scoring boots on. The Gunners have an immaculate away win-loss record and it is largely due to their offensive ability at the opponent’s grounds. According to WhoScored.com Arsenal have a 6.84 offensive rating away which ranks them first in the Premier League. West Ham rank 11 in defensive rating at home with 6.65.

In recent years fortunes have favoured the Gunners against the East London side with the Hammers’ most recent win against Arsenal coming on the 12th of January 2019. A boatload of scoring will be needed.

Southampton rank 19th in overall defensive rating, but tend to step up their game on the road. The Saints rank 13th in both defensive and offensive rating away from home and will likely put up a fight against Arteta’s men at the Emirates. Arsenal also slip to fourth in offensive ranking when it comes to playing at home. Regardless of the statistics, Arsenal should dominate. The Gunners will need a massive performance from the frontline to assure that victory is realised and that pressure is put on the blue side of Manchester in the goal differential side of the game.

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