Verdict: Half-Time/Full-Time Home Win
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It’s the second meeting of the London rivals in a week’s time with Arsenal and West Ham locking horns in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup at the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners are hoping to land their first semi-final of the competition since 2011 but rejuvenated West Ham will definitely prove a tough test for Arsene Wenger’s men.
Arsenal
Having suffered a morale-blowing defeat to Manchester United, the north London giants got back up to their feet with a four-match win without a defeat. Despite the positive run, though, things have not been that great for the Gunners who were forced to settle for back-to-back away stalemates against Southampton and their next rivals, West Ham.
Arsenal were given a tough ride at their London rivals less than a week ago and they will be keen to put things back into perspective as they look for a passage through to their first semi-final in last six years. The Gunners have been playing on different fronts this season and Arsene Wenger did well to rotate his squad and use his selection depth to the maximum. The French tactician is once again expected to call upon his fringe players who will be utterly motivated to prove they deserve a place in the starting line-up.
Team News
Santi Cazorla remains injured without a precise return date and will be joined by Aaron Ramsey whose thigh injury ruled him out until the New Year.
Theo Walcott missed the win over Newcastle last time out but Wenger is hopeful the winger will be fit. Shkodran Mustafi misses the match through a muscular problem.
West Ham
David Moyes was met with plenty of criticism and doubt on his arrival to West Ham. Former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland boss, however, managed to steady the ship after taking over from Slaven Bilic. West Ham are looking more organized in defense and dangerous going forward and a couple of last results have done wonders for team’s morale which will be a big boost ahead of the trip to Emirates.
Moyes guided his Hammers side to a crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea, while he also recorded a goalless draw with Arsenal and a 3-0 win at Stoke City last time out. Having lifted the Hammers out of the bottom three, Moyes will not be too preoccupied by the Carabao Cup although he won’t be carrying a white flag to Arsenal. West Ham came from two goals down to beat Tottenham 3-2 in the previous round of the competition and, with Premier League made the absolute priority, the lack of pressure going in the Carabao Cup quarter-final could even turn out to be Hammers’ advantage.
Team News
David Moyes is hoping Cheikhou Kouyate will come back from his hamstring injury in time to face Arsenal.
Edmilson Fernandes is nursing an ankle injury, while Mark Noble picked up a knock against Stoke City and will miss the Tuesday’s duel.
Key Factors to Consider
Arsenal are unbeaten in last four matches
West Ham won two of their last three games
This is the second meeting of the two London teams in less than a week
Hammers lost four out last 5 trips to the Emirates Stadium
Gunners won 8 of their last 10 home fixtures
Conclusion
Arsene Wenger is likely to field a much-changed side in the Carabao Cup as he refuses to give up on his rotation policy. The forthcoming clash will be a chance for reserve players to show what they’ve got against West Ham who won’t be too pushy as they have more important things – like Premier League survival – to think about ahead of the hectic festive schedule.
Verdict: Half-Time/Full-Time Home Win
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