A London derby a few days after a breakup. Sometimes it can count as a masterful touch, or it could be too much of a sad affair and get the better of the home side.
Arsenal will be a venue with a difference today when Arsenal take on West Ham. They have just said goodbye to their long-appointed father, Arsene Wenger and must now do everything in their power to give him the perfect end to their treacherous campaign.
Today, if I was a West Ham player – I would be tremendously worried about what the atmosphere inside the Emirates would be like. They will be loud, they will be proud. They will be in the visitors’ faces!
Today's the last time we'll face an Arsenal side led by Arsene Wenger. There's been some classic meetings over the years... pic.twitter.com/uyCKAy5zbB
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 22, 2018
They will rejoice and then they will feel remorse. A day set to be filled with every emotion involved in a breakup will be floating, possessing everybody in the stadium.
It will be hard for West Ham, even though they have more to play for – trying to get anything from a place where the emotion has been restored by an act of selflessness, and something that was long overdue. What can they do under these circumstances?
What’s happening with Arsenal and West Ham
The visitors have named an unchanged lineup today and will be looking for three points. Far from safety and right in the thick of things – West Ham must try to achieve their goal today, as Palace failed to secure victory over Watford, yesterday.
The Hammers only brag six points aloft the drop zone. They can take a point and increase their point difference if successful. To add to this, other teams around them have games in hand. This is where they can apply the pressure to those teams.
📋 Here's how we line up for today's match #AFCvWHU pic.twitter.com/wUHpFt3BAH
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 22, 2018
The last time these two met inside London stadium, they played out to a 0-0 draw. It was results like these, that brought about the emotional day today. Arsenal have had their fair share of disappointments against their visitors today, they must make sure they changing their own fate today.
Arsenal comes off the back of an upsetting Sunday, when they went down to Newcastle seven days ago. Luckily, they can open the point gap after Burnley were unsuccessful against Chelsea, in their midweek clash.
We're unchanged! #ARSWHU #COYI pic.twitter.com/4ZpSz9vwbQ
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 22, 2018
Next: Saturday Matchday 35 and FA Cup roundup
This will help them assure a sixth place finish and give them the perfect preparation for what has to be, the biggest and hardest fixture to date, come Thursday. Bouncing back is the only option for the Gunners, as they look to achieve a flawless ending to a stella managerial career by, Arsene Wenger.
With the stage set and everything in place – I’m going for a strong Arsenal display, and win. Everything is there for the Gunners to take all the points and keep their sixth-place spot in the Premier League.