ARSENAL
V
WEST HAM UNITED
Emirates Stadium
14th March, 2015; 15:30 GMT
Sitting on the third spot in the English Premier League, Arsenal host West Ham United at the Emirates as they look to look to consolidate their position for a Champions League finish this season. On a high after beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, Arsene Wenger will be keen to not slip up as his club comes head to head with Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to qualify for Europea s elite tournament next season.
Arsenal
Having come out on top after beating Manchester United 1-2 in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal host West Ham United as 4 points separate Arsene Wengera s side from second-placed Manchester City. Arsenal are walking on a tight-rope as they face an important domestic clash on Saturday and then visit Moncao in an attempt to overturn a 1-3 deficit in the Champions League. Though the clash against Monaco is important for Wenger, he cannot afford to take the fixture against West Ham United lightly as the race for a top four finish heats up in England.
Arsenal will expect a stiff challenge from West Ham who have suffered heavily since their win against Bristol City in January. Playing in front of their own fans will offer Arsenal some respite who will be keen to put forward a strong performance in order to build the momentum for the game against Monaco. Arsenal will miss the services of Oxlade-Chamberlain along with Arteta and Gabriel who are sidelined due to injuries.
Arsene Wenger is likely to start with Olivier Giroud in the attack supported by Welbeck and Ozil on the flanks with Mesut Ozil playing behind the Frenchman. Santi Cazorla has been extremely important for Arsenal lately and he will be expected to strike a healthy partnership with Ozil in the midfield along with Francis Coquelin. Mertesacker and Koscielny are likely to start in the defence along with Chambers and Monreal with Ospina resuming his place between the posts.
Expected Starting Eleven: Ospina (GK); Mertesacker, Koscielny, Chambers, Monreal; Cazorla, Coquelin, Ozil, Welbeck, Sanchez; Giroud
West Ham United
Despite their strong start to the season, Sam Allardyce hasna t been able to keep the momentum going as West Ham United finds itself on the 10th spot in the English Premier League. West Ham havena t won a single game since their win against Bristol City in the FA Cup in January. And with the Premier League fast approaching its climactic finish, West Ham face the daunting prospect of visiting the Emirates Stadium.
Andy Carroll remains unavailable for West Ham United along with Winston Reid, Tomkins and Cole along with Carl Jenkinson. West Ham United are likely to start with Nolan, Alex Song and Noble in the midfield and the three midfielders will be burdened with the responsibility to outmuscle Arsene Wengera s creative players and restrict them from dictating the pace of the game. With Sakho leading the teama s attack, Downing and Amalfitano will be responsible for providing the ammunition against a shaky Arsenal defence. Kouyate, Collins, Oa Brien and Cresswell will line up in the defence with Adrian between the posts.
Expected Starting Eleven: Adrian (GK); Kouyate, Collins, Oa Brien, Cresswell; Nolan, Alex Song, Noble, Downing, Amalfitano; Sakho
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United
Player To Watch Out For
Santi Cazorla remains the player to watch out for along with new signing Alexis Sanchez. Cazorla has the ability to dictate the pace of tthe game and pick out the right pass at the right moment. His partnership with Mesut Ozil in the midfield might just prove to be too hot to handle for Sam Allardycea s West Ham United.
Blast From The Past
