While Arsenal’s focus may be on the Europa League at this point, the Gunners will come out with as much will to win as is humanly possible after the announcement that Arsene Wenger will step down at the end of the season. The emotions will be high in the stands and in the players. The Europa League is, rightfully, the main focus for the rest of the season, but every last game under Wenger will be a must win.
West Ham put themselves on the brink of safety with their 1-1 draw against Stoke City on Monday. They will look to take three points and lift themselves to 38 for the season, a total that should be enough to ensure they stay in the Premier League next season. While that may be the Hammers’ hope, it will be tough to imagine a more motivated Arsenal team than the one that will show up on Sunday after the Wenger announcement.
Team News
Arsenal will be without Santi Cazorla and Henrikh Mkhitaryan and could also be without Jack Wilshere as there are some “uncertainties” over his fitness according to Arsene Wenger.
Michail Antonio, Pedro Obiang, Sam Byram, Winston Reid, and James Collins are all expected to miss out, according to Physioroom.com. Angelo Ogbonna could also miss out as he will undergo a late fitness test, according to Physioroom.com.
Key Players
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang has not been at Arsenal too long, but he, along with everyone else, will be desperate to help Wenger win as many games as he can. As far as the Premier Leauge goes, Aubameyang is one of the best to help with that job. Since joining, he’s contributed to eight goals in 701 minutes or 1.03 goals per 90 minutes. He can score and will likely be a difference maker in this match.
West Ham: Marko Arnautovic
West Ham were considered too good to go down by many going into the season a lot impart to their skilled attacking players. They do look like they will be too good to go down and in no small part because of one of those skilled attacking players: Marko Arnautovic. The Austrian has scored or assisted 13 goals, more than anyone else in the team. While he did not contribute to a goal against Stoke, he scored two in their 3-0 win over Southampton and assisted their only goal in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea. When he plays well, West Ham have a much better chance of scoring goals and getting points than when he does not.
Prediction
Arsenal are the more talented team, they are the home team, and they will without a doubt be the more motivated team on Sunday. Anything other then an Arsenal win will be a shock.
Prediction: 5-1 win for Arsenal
