West Ham United – Arsenal

West Ham could well pick up points in the match against Arsenal.

Over the last week, a heavy burden has fallen off the shoulders of Arsenal players, and they felt genuine relief. From the early weeks of the season, the bar for the Gunners was set so high that by last autumn they were considered favourites in all four tournaments in which they were taking part. When Arsenal lost the EFL Cup final and sensationally were eliminated by Southampton in the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage, the players lost a substantial amount of confidence in their abilities. When Arteta's team stopped dominating their opponents in the Champions League and lost the outright first place in the Premier League, the tension in the Arsenal camp rose so much that they seemed almost on the verge of collapse. Over the last three seasons under Arteta, they've grown tired of finishing second in the Premier League, so any position other than first would be considered a disaster here. Nevertheless, in just one week Arsenal vaulted into the Champions League final, where in three weeks they will play PSG in Budapest, and they also benefited from a crucial slip by Manchester City, who couldn't beat Everton away. Now, for the Gunners, it's important to win the three remaining fixtures. In the lineup of recent opponents, West Ham looks like the most serious opponent. If Burnley and Crystal Palace have long since lost their motivation in the Premier League, and the latter are also busy preparing for the Conference League final, the Hammers are fighting with Tottenham to preserve their place in the Premier League's top flight. Right now Nuno Espírito Santo's side trails the Spurs by one point, sitting at the bottom of the relegation zone. Given the rival's difficult finishing schedule, there is no doubt West Ham will seize any opportunity to collect three points. Whoever the opponents are: the title-chasing Arsenal or a Newcastle United finishing the season rather halfheartedly. It is extremely interesting that since 2023 West Ham and Arsenal have played seven head-to-head matches, with each side taking three wins and one draw. The pre-match outlook does not bode an easy ride for the visitors. Surely both clubs will score, at least one goal each.