Bowen will be one to watch at the London Stadium. — AFP
High-flying Arsenal will be favourites to lord it over West Ham United in the London derby when they travel to the Hammers for today’s late kick-off, but it’s unlikely to be easy.
Arsenal, fourth in the league standings on 22 points with third-placed Chelsea and Brighton in fifth, are a single point adrift of champions Manchester City in second and nine behind Premiership leaders Liverpool. And the Gunners will be expected to maintain their challenge in the top four.
They will look to leap ahead of City – depending on the result at Anfield tomorrow – and make West Ham their next victims.
Arsenal’s demolition of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek again highlighted the importance of Bukayo Saka to Mikel Arteta’s side. The England winger put on a fine showing of his immense talent as they ran out 5-1 winners over the Portuguese outfit.
Along with Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard were also in the starting lineup after injury layoffs, and the Arsenal boss will expect more of the same from his star players against West Ham.
The Hammers themselves might well be relishing this fixture, given the intensity with which it is likely to be played.
These London derbies are hardly ever for the faint-hearted, and today’s showdown could yet underscore that with the home team full of confidence.
Julen Lopetegui’s Hammers were upended by Nottingham Forest, in between two wins and a draw in their last four league outings.
Those victories came last weekend against Newcastle and a fortnight prior over Man United, whom Arsenal face in the league next weekend.
Spanish manager Lopetegui will be keen to strengthen their position in the standings from 14th on the log, and what better way to achieve that than by downing their old foes in what should be another fiery derby at London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen, who can play on the right wing or down the centre of attack, has impressed the most over the last couple of seasons, and along with midfielders Lucas Paquetá and Carlos Soler, on loan this season from Paris St Germain, could prove to be the greater threats to Arsenal.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa make the trip to third-placed Chelsea, and Ruben Amorim will be in charge of Man United’s home game when Everton visit – both matches expected to also generate much interest.
