The World Cup is now over and after a very short break, we’re back into action in the Premier League. Arsenal went into the winter break top of the Premier League table, with a five-point cushion, and have serious ambitions of lifting that famous trophy in 2023.
Can they get the second half of their season off to a good start here, or will London rivals West Ham take points off them? Don’t miss our Arsenal vs. West Ham picks and predictions.
Arsenal vs West Ham best odds
Arsenal vs West Ham picks and predictions
Both clubs are at different places, with the visitors West Ham coming into Monday 16th in the Premier League and just one point off the relegation zone. Arsenal, in stark contrast, sit at the other end of the table, five points ahead of Man City at the top of the table.
Arsenal are strong favorites, at -195, and with good reason. They’ve been hugely impressive this season, with their attack looking more dynamic than in recent years and building on the great work manager Mikel Arteta did on the team’s defense last season. The World Cup did damage them though, with Gabriel Jesus injured while representing Brazil.
Jesus is a big loss and his replacement, Eddie Nketiah, doesn’t have the impact of Jesus. He isn’t quite as lethal in front of goal but most importantly he doesn’t bring others into play and link up in the same way as the Brazilian. Jesus can help elevate Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka and make them perform even better.
That said, even without Jesus, this Arsenal team have enough quality to beat West Ham, especially when they’ve conceded 17 goals so far this season. That’s why our best bet for this game is Arsenal to win and both teams to score.
West Ham have enough about them to cause Arsenal some problems, especially given that the defense haven’t played together for six weeks. Crucially, West Ham are weak enough at the back that Arsenal should be able to score two goals or more, too.
In fact, across the six home games that Arsenal have played in the Premier League this year they’ve won five of them, while also allowing the other team to score. So, we’ll be following that trend again here.
My best bet: Arsenal moneyline and both teams to score (+225 at bet365)
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Arsenal vs West Ham side analysis
Without Jesus, there is no question that the Gunners are weaker and it might force Arsenal into the transfer market in January. Nketiah hasn’t scored in any of his 12 appearances in the Premier League this season, admittedly from the bench.
Besides that injury to Jesus, this Arsenal team will be at full strength with the familiar three behind him and Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the middle. The back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Kieran Tierney will protect Aaron Ramsdale’s goal.
West Ham will match their 4-2-3-1 and the key men are Declan Rice, who was brilliant for England at the World Cup, and Lucas Paqueta, who showed in Qatar why he is a regular for Brazil. They’ll need to rely on Paqueta, in particular, with Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca both fitness doubts. If those two miss the game, or start on the bench, then it’s likely Jarrod Bowen would play up front as a false nine.
With West Ham also nursing some injuries in defense, most notably to Kurt Zouma, it’s hard to see anything but an Arsenal win here.
Arsenal vs West Ham Over/Under analysis
Over 2.5 is marginally more likely than the Under, according to the bookies, and trends show why that is the case.
Arsenal have seen Over 2.5 in every single one of their Premier League games at the Emirates this season, while on the flip side of that there have been Over 2.5 goals in 85.7% of West Ham’s away games in the league this season.
Arsenal vs West Ham game info
| Location: | Emirates Stadium, London, England |
| Date: | Monday, December 26, 2022 |
| Time: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Peacock |
Arsenal vs West Ham key injuries
Arsenal: Emile Smith-Rowe CAM (Out), Gabriel Jesus STR (Out), Reiss Nelson FWR (Out), Takehiro Tomiyasu RB (Questionable), Albert Sambi Lokonga CDM (Questionable), Oleksandr Zinchenko LB (Questionable).
West Ham: Kurt Zouma CB (Out), Maxwel Cornet LW (Out), Nayef Aguerd CB (Out), Alphonse Areola GK (Out), Gianluca Scamacca STR (Questionable), Aaron Cresswell (Questionable), Michail Antonio STR (Questionable).
Arsenal vs West Ham recent form
| Teams | Last five matches |
|---|---|
 Arsenal |
L-L-L-W-L |
 West Ham |
W-W-W-D-W |
Arsenal vs West Ham weather
It’ll be dry but with temperatures in the low 40s it could be quite cold for players and supports alike.
