Arsenal vs. West Ham: Gunners Look to Pile Pressure on Liverpool

Arsenal head into Saturday’s clash against West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium knowing that a victory will tighten the title race. With Liverpool dropping points against Aston Villa, Mikel Arteta’s side has a golden opportunity to cut the gap to five points before Arne Slot’s team faces Manchester City on Sunday.

Momentum is shifting, and Arsenal must capitalize on the pressure. But first, they must overcome a West Ham side still adjusting under Graham Potter, a manager who has caused problems for the Gunners in the past.

Arsenal’s Mentality: Learning From Last Season’s Heartbreak

This time last year, Arsenal were in a similar position—leading the title race before faltering under pressure. The weight of expectation ultimately saw them lose control, with Manchester City punishing every slip-up. Now, the Gunners have a chance to rewrite the script.

Unlike last season, Arsenal’s squad looks more composed and resilient. Their 15-game unbeaten run in the league is a testament to a stronger mentality, and players like Declan Rice have emphasized a shift in belief within the squad.

“Last season hurt, but it also made us stronger,” Rice said recently. “We’ve learned how to manage these moments, and now it’s about proving we can go all the way.”

Arsenal can’t afford to look ahead to what Liverpool will do. Instead, their focus must be on handling business against West Ham—a team that has already beaten them at the Emirates this season.

Injury Crisis and Tactical Adjustments

The biggest challenge Arsenal have faced recently is the absence of their best attacking players. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus are all out, forcing Arteta to redesign his forward line.

Rather than relying on the explosive wing play that defines Arsenal’s attack, the Gunners have adopted a more structured, possession-heavy approach.

• Leandro Trossard has operated centrally, drifting wide at times to pull defenders out of position.
• Ethan Nwaneri has brought unpredictability, but at 17, he’s still finding his rhythm at this level.
• Raheem Sterling is adjusting to Arsenal’s system, though he has yet to show the same effectiveness as Saka or Martinelli.

The lack of direct wingers has forced Arsenal’s full-backs—Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly—to push higher, providing width and creating overloads. Martin Ødegaard, meanwhile, has dropped deeper to compensate for the missing link between midfield and attack.

Against West Ham, expect Arsenal to control possession and patiently probe for openings rather than rely on fast transitions. If breaking down a deep-lying defense becomes difficult, Mikel Merino could be introduced late as a physical option in the box, just as he was against Leicester.

West Ham’s Tactical Approach Under Potter

West Ham’s form has been poor, with five defeats in their last seven league games, but Potter has a history of frustrating Arsenal at the Emirates. His tactical flexibility means the Hammers could set up in a deep, disciplined shape, relying on counter-attacks through Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.

However, without Lucas Paquetá, their creativity is significantly weakened. Much of the responsibility will fall on Carlos Soler and James Ward-Prowse, but whether they can control the midfield battle remains to be seen.

Defensively, West Ham have struggled to start games well, conceding a league-high 10 goals in the opening 10 minutes of matches. Arsenal, who typically dominate early possession at home, will look to exploit this weakness and set the tone from the start.

Key Battles That Will Shape the Game

Declan Rice vs. West Ham’s Midfield

Rice faces his former club, and his ability to dictate the tempo and control transitions will be vital. With Paquetá out, Arsenal should dominate midfield possession.

Arsenal’s Rotating Front Three vs. West Ham’s Defense

With Trossard, Nwaneri, and Sterling interchanging rather than sticking to fixed positions, West Ham’s center-backs will need to stay organized to avoid being dragged out of position.

Arsenal’s Set-Piece Threat vs. West Ham’s Weakness in Aerial Duels

Arsenal have scored more goals from crosses (13) than any other Premier League team this season. Gabriel and Saliba will be threats from set-pieces, an area where West Ham have been vulnerable.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham’s defensive issues and lack of attacking consistency under Potter make this a must-win game for Arsenal. While breaking down a deep defense could take time, the Gunners have the patience and tactical flexibility to find solutions.

If Arsenal score early, they could cruise to victory. If West Ham stay compact for an hour, expect Arteta to turn to Merino or a late attacking shift to find the breakthrough.

Either way, Arsenal should get the job done—and if they do, the pressure will be firmly on Liverpool before their trip to Manchester City.

Final Score: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham