Will the Gunners remain without a point in 2024?

On Sunday, there are only two games on the program in the English Premier League, but they have it all. The four teams involved are all at the top of the league and are ranked between third and seventh. The first match on Sunday is the city derby at the London Stadium at 3pm. In the clash between West Ham and Arsenal, the Arteta team is clearly favored

After the Gunners bounced back in the championship race last weekend with a deserved win in the top match against Liverpool, the aim now is to confirm this performance in the derby. Reparation is also on the agenda, as Arteta’s side have not had a good experience with the Hammers this season. The home side are without a win in four games, but have not lost in six home games (end of October). An end to this streak seems likely, which is why our top tips for West Ham v Arsenal include a prediction for the visitors

The Gunners’ two title rivals are already in action on Saturday and have supposedly easy tasks against relegation candidates. Manchester City open against Everton (18th), Liverpool face Burnley (19th)

West Ham – statistics & current form

The Conference League winners have had a season full of ups and downs, but can still secure a place in a European competition via the domestic championship. A 3-0 defeat to Moyes’ former club Manchester United last weekend saw the Hammers overtaken by the Red Devils in the table. The defeat at the Theatre of Dreams was their first league defeat since December 10, 2023.

Winless in the calendar year 2024

In the calendar year 2024, things are by no means going according to plan. In addition to four league games, Moyes’ side have played two games in the FA Cup (replay against second-division side Bristol City). A win? Not a single one. Before the defeat against the Red Devils, the Hammers had drawn three points in a row in the league and lost 1-0 away from home in the FA Cup. The current form is relatively sobering, which is why low odds for the West Ham vs Arsenal away win prediction are the logical consequence. If defeat is avoided, West Ham would score in seven consecutive games at the London Stadium for the first time.

In terms of personnel, the absence of Lucas Paqueta is particularly noticeable for Moyes’ side, who is not an option on Sunday, nor is attacker Michal Antonio. At least the two Africa Cup participants Mohamed Kudus and Nayef Aguerd have long since returned, but have not provided the necessary stability of late. Hopes therefore rest once again on winger Jarrod Bowen (eleven goals this season).

Predicted West Ham line-up:

Arsenal – Statistics & current form

A fitting headline for the Gunners since last weekend would be “Back in the Game”. With three games without a win at the end of 2023 (including two defeats), Arteta’s side have lost a few feathers and lost sight of the top of the table. So far in 2024, things are going according to plan and thanks to the 3:1 home win against Liverpool, the gap to the top of the table is now only two points.

Once again, attacker Bukayo Saka was one of the strongest players in an Arsenal shirt. The 22-year-old not only scored his eighth goal of the season, but is also the only PL player this season to have scored 50 or more in the categories of shots (60), chances created (58), dribbles started (75) and touches in the opposition’s 16 (172). Saka is the go-to-guy and is always a threat

Arsenal have staying power

The Belgian Leandro Trossard scored the winner against the Reds in the 92nd minute. It was the eighth goal for Arteta’s side to be scored in stoppage time – the most in the Premier League. In contrast, the Gunners are also the only team yet to concede a goal after the 90th minute. Speaking of Trossard, the Belgian has scored no fewer than 17 goals in 1,684 Arsenal minutes. In Arsenal history, only Thierry Henry (86 minutes) and Robin van Persie (98 minutes) have averaged less than 99 minutes per scoring point.

The win against the Reds was Arsenal’s third league victory in 2024 in their third game. If the Gunners win again early on Sunday afternoon between West Ham and Arsenal, Arsenal London will start a calendar year with four wins in a row for the first time since 1935.

Predicted Arsenal line-up:

West Ham – Arsenal head-to-head comparison / H2H record

The findings from this season do not reflect the bookmakers’ assessment. West Ham and Arsenal have already met twice, and betting on David Moyes’ team has been the right decision so far. This was not to be expected, as the Scot has lost 22 of his 37 PL games against the Gunners in his career. The first meeting of the season took place on All Saints’ Day in the League Cup – a 3-1 win for West Ham in front of their home crowd. Even more surprising than the success in the often unloved League Cup was the 2-0 away win on December 28. Should West Ham manage a third win in a season, it would be the first time since 1924/25.

Despite these two successes, there are also plenty of statistics that speak against the home side. One example of this is the fact that the Gunners have lost only one of their last 15 PL away games against their city rivals. During this period, Arsenal have won nine and drawn five. The scorer of the winning goal in this exception in January 2019 was Declan Rice, who has since pulled on the Arsenal shirt

West Ham – Arsenal tip

Derby time! So far in the 2023/24 season, Arteta’s side do not have particularly good memories of their city rivals, having won just three of their eight league games. In addition, Moyes’ side have won both of the two previous season duels against the favored city rivals and yet we refrain from betting on the home side in the duel between West Ham and Arsenal. Arsenal have won all their league games in 2024, while West Ham have yet to win a single match in six competitive games this year. The absence of creative spirit Lucas Paqueta is clearly noticeable

In order to remain in contention for the title, the Gunners must return to consistent results away from home. With both rivals likely to be ahead on Saturday, only a win will count from Arteta’s side’s point of view. The momentum and the existing quality definitely speak in favor of the visitors, which is why we not only recommend the odds for West Ham vs Arsenal, but even consider the clear handicap victory. West Ham are in poor form and have conceded six goals in their last three league games. We see a handicap win for the strong Gunners as a very realistic betting option