BREAKING NEWS: ‘Is going to be a do or die game tomorrow, I’m very sure they’re going to lose points tomorrow and I will definitely score hattrick’: West Ham Star Muhammad Kudus sends strong premier League message to Arsenal ahead of their clash Tomorrow
BREAKING NEWS: ‘Is going to be a do or die game tomorrow, I’m very sure they’re going to lose points tomorrow and I will definitely score hattrick’: West Ham Star Muhammad Kudus sends strong premier League message to Arsenal ahead of their clash Tomorrow
A mouthwatering London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday will see Arsenal welcome West Ham United.
The Gunners tore the Hammers apart in the reverse fixture at the end of November, winning 5-2 and on another day, it could have been an even more embarrassing scoreline for the hosts. Mikel Arteta’s injury-hit side overcame Leicester City’s resistance 2-0 at the King Power Stadium last weekend and will be confident of continuing their push for the title at the weekend.
The Irons have not enjoyed a ‘new manager’ bounce under Graham Potter, picking up just four points from a possible 15. They have dropped to 16th in the table as a result, just 10 points above the drop zone. So, they will be the outright underdogs in this fixture.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the key battles on the pitch.
#Mikel Merino vs West Ham centre-backs
Arsenal have been hit with multiple injury problems in the forward areas, with the latest being Kai Havertz, who has been ruled out for the season following a torn hamstring in a training session in Dubai last week. The absence of a clinical presence up front was glaringly obvious against Leicester City away on Saturday, until Mikel Merino stepped in to provide a solution and helped the Gunners bag all three points.
Coming off the bench in the second half, Merino took up the centre-forward role and scored a brace inside six minutes at the King Power Stadium. Tall, versatile and a willing runner, the Spaniard—primarily a midfielder—could be handed a start up top against West Ham.
Thus, West Ham centre-backs—Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman—have to be on their toes to keep Merino quiet. The Arsenal midfielder has the knack of busting into the box and attacking crosses, so Kilman and Mavropanos must stay switched on and clear their lines rather than dilly-dallying on the ball.
#Mohammed Kudus vs Thomas Partey
The duty of pulling the strings and creating opportunities should fall on the shoulders of Mohammed Kudus following Lucas Paqueta’s unfortunate ankle injury in training on Tuesday afternoon. The Ghanaian, just like the rest of his teammates, has not been consistent this season, lacking the cutting edge and flair with which he ripped apart defences in his debut Premier League campaign.
Expected to operate in the No.10 role again, Kudus will likely cross paths against his compatriot Thomas Partey. The 31-year-old has silently enjoyed a strong season for Arsenal, keeping things ticking from the No.6 role.
He will be tasked with keeping the unpredictable Kudus quiet on Saturday, and if Partey can do his job efficiently, Arsenal’s chances of earning a clean sheet will become higher.
#Leandro Trossard vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Mikel Merino’s potential involvement as a false 9 should see Leandro Trossard move to his preferred role on the left flank. In the injury absences of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Trossard must shoulder the responsibility of creating chances and scoring goals for Arsenal.
The diminutive Belgian was excellent against Leicester and assisted Merino’s second goal. On Saturday though, the 30-year-old is expected to line up against Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Arguably the best 1v1 defender, Wan-Bissaka will try to stay compact and close to Trossard.
Due to Trossard’s ability to go both ways, the West Ham right-back has to be vigilant and stop him from entering the box. How Wan-Bissaka copes with the Arsenal star’s threat at the weekend will be an interesting watch.
