Arsenal Gunning to reclaim fourth place by beating Hammers

Arsenal have won their last seven games against West Ham in all competitions, and are unbeaten in 15 Premier League home matches, so back them odds-on at 4/9 for victory at the Emirates. Two of the previous three meetings have been 3-1, and a price of 11/1 suggest Arsene Wenger’s side can produce that scoreline again.

In the last four head-to-heads between these two sides, the Gunners have managed to score three times or more, so take fantastic odds of 13/8 for them to get over 2.5 goals again.

West Ham’s safety is now all but assured, sitting relatively comfortable in 11th place, being seven points ahead of the drop zone with a game in hand, and it seems their only challenge now is a top 10 finish (7/1).

Wenger’s Arsenal (odds-on for a Champions League spot at 8/11) certainly have a lot to play for still, however. After their recent 3-0 loss to Everton (11/10), they have since allowed the Toffees to leapfrog them into fourth place, and are behind by two points.

The Gunners have not won in their last five in all competitions in normal time, so a draw (10/3) or even loss (6/1) here are on the cards. West Ham have not beaten their opponents in their last 12 attempts, though.

Recently, Arsenal attackers Olivier Giroud (three goals in last three against the Hammers), Lukas Podolski (two in two) and Santi Cazorla (two in three) have all enjoyed scoring in this fixture. You can back them at 10/11, evens and 15/8 respectively to net anytime again.

Welsh star Aaron Ramsey made his first start for the club in three-and-a-half months in Arsenal’s FA Cup nerve-racking penalty shoot-out semi-final victory over holders Wigan. Prior to his thigh injury, he managed an impressive 13 goals and seven assists in 27 appearances in all competitions, and you can back him at 7/4 to net anytime.

Reports suggest that Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Wojciech Szczesny are set to return to the XI after not starting in the FA Cup fixture. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nacho Monreal and Podolski, meanwhile, are doubts.

For West Ham, captain Kevin Nolan could be in line to play following a hamstring twinge, and Joey O’Brien also hopes to feature. George McCartney and Marco Borriello are sidelined.