Game Week 13 Predictions: Arsenal to beat West Ham

Arsenal seeks to climb to second with a win at West Ham, while the Hammers aim to avoid the drop zone. Can West Ham stop the Gunners' scoring streak?

Arsenal's moving train will blitz through West London, can they be stopped by the Hammers? (Photo credit: Opta)

 West Ham vs. Arsenal.
London Stadium
6:30pm

Arsenal appears to have made significant progress, scoring eight goals in two games since the return of league football from the international break last weekend. They aim to maintain this momentum against West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday.

The Hammers are in a good place too: they beat Newcastle away at St. James’s Park with a solid performance and a gritty defense. They will also hope for more of the same when the Gunners come to town on Saturday.

Both teams have compelling reasons to exert maximum effort in this fixture, beginning with the hosts: a victory could propel them to as high as 10th in the standings, although other fixtures on Saturday might influence this outcome. However, the motivation would be to further avoid the drop zone.

Following Brighton's inability to defeat Southampton on Friday night, Arsenal could end Saturday in second place with a win. Should Chelsea and City fail to win, they could end the weekend as the closest team to runaway leaders Liverpool.

How will this game pan out? You expect West Ham to pull the handbrake; they won’t go all out against Arsenal in search of goals; they would take a draw as a rare gift considering the gulf in class, but a win would be the dream result.

Who says they can’t beat Arsenal? They humiliated Arsenal at the Emirates nearly a year ago, sabotaging the Gunners' title challenge, but the Hammers would have the humility to recall what transpired in the rematch earlier this year.

For the Gunners, maintaining momentum is crucial, and if they continue on the same path as they did last season after the winter break, the Hammers must be cautious of what Arsenal can unleash when they're in a devastating mood; it won't be a friendly match.

Jean Clair Todibo, who sustained an injury during West Ham's victory over Newcastle on Monday, might not be available, and Mohammed Kudus is still serving his lengthy ban. Julien Lopetegui will miss this match due to his accumulation of yellow cards.

Arsenal’s injury crisis is easing out, but they’re sweating on the fitness of Gabriel Magalhães; the Brazilian scored in the midweek demolition of Sporting Lisbon but also limped out in the same game. Ben White is unavailable, but everyone else from last week is available.

Watch out for Bukayo Saka; he leads the assist chart, and he’s having a class season. Jarrod Bowen will hope to give Arsenal something to think about, but can the hosts stop Arsenal from climbing up to second before the surrounding teams play?

Verdict: Arsenal is to win.