Arsenal Seek Premier League Top-Spot Grip Against West Ham at London Stadium

Arsenal head to London Stadium for a Sunday Premier League match against West Ham looking to tighten their grip on the top spot, holding a five-point cushion ahead of the weekend’s action.

“winning 58.1% of the Opta supercomputer’s pre-match simulations”

Opta Analyst

Opta’s pre-match simulations give Arsenal a 58.1% chance of winning, while West Ham have lost 38 Premier League games against Arsenal, including the reverse fixture this season (2-0).

BBC

Mikel Arteta’s side also arrive with set-piece momentum, having scored 27 goals via set-pieces in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.

Arteta told his players and fans to 'stay present and live the moment' as the club prepare for a huge month in which they could secure a Premier League and Champions League double.

The BBC added that Arsenal take on relegation-threatened West Ham at London Stadium in the league on Sunday, with Burnley at home on 18 May and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day of the season, 24 May.

Ahead of the Champions League final, Arteta framed Arsenal’s approach as a focus on the present, telling PSG: "when the time comes, we will do what is necessary."

Onze Mondial also quoted Arteta warning PSG that "We know their qualities, and that's all. But obviously, we are also very confident" as the final poster became known since Wednesday evening.

BBC

In the Premier League build-up, the BBC reported Arteta saying, 'We are closer and closer and everything that we do now is going to matter to win it or not,' as Arsenal prepare for West Ham.

The BBC said West Ham are 18th, one point and one place from safety behind Tottenham, and that Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo believes London Stadium can play a crucial role in the club's fight for survival.

Nuno told the BBC, 'There is no hiding - being at home is good for us,' while he added that 'Especially recently, our fans are giving us extra'.

The BBC described West Ham’s remaining Premier League games as three matches against Arsenal, away at Newcastle and home to Leeds, with two wins and a draw in April boosting their chances before a 3-0 defeat by Brentford last weekend.

“with a 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid, and will face Paris St-Germain in Budapest on 30 May”

BBC

It also said Spurs beating Aston Villa lifted Tottenham out of the relegation zone, leaving West Ham back in the relegation zone as the season enters its final stretch.

For Arsenal, the stakes extend beyond Sunday, with the BBC noting they reached their first Champions League final for 20 years with a 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid and will face Paris St-Germain in Budapest on 30 May.

Opta’s preview said the match could have huge implications at both ends of the Premier League table, with Arsenal looking to strengthen their grip on top spot while West Ham hope to move out of the relegation zone.

Opta also highlighted that Arsenal have kept 30 clean sheets across all competitions this season, their most in a single campaign since 1993-94 (30), while West Ham have conceded the most corner goals (15) and only Bournemouth (25) have let in more from set plays than the Hammers (23).