It’s an all-Premier League affair at the London Stadium as West Ham United host Arsenal in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
After making such a promising start to the season off the back of their Europa Conference League triumph, West Ham head into this cup tie without a win since returning from the October international break.
David Moyes’ side beat League One outfit Lincoln City 1-0 to progress into the fourth round of this competition. However, they’ve been dealt a tough hand with the unbeaten Gunners coming to town. While Lens defeated Mikel Arteta’s side in the Champions League, the title hopefuls are yet to be beaten in a domestic competition this season.
The north Londoners beat Brentford 1-0 to set up this tie, and they head into Wednesday’s clash having thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Here’s 90min’s preview of this Carabao Cup fourth round tie.
West Ham vs Arsenal H2H record (Last Five Games)
Current form (Last Five Games)
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Both Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez picked up yellow cards at the weekend which means they’ll miss West Ham’s Premier League clash against Brentford. Thus, the pair could remain in Moyes’ XI for this cup tie.
Mohammed Kudus should also keep his place after making his first league start on Sunday.
The hosts have no injury concerns heading into Wednesday’s game, with the likes of Danny Ings, Pablo Fornals, and Thilo Kehrer all vying for starts.
West Ham predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Kehrer, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Fornals, Kudus, Paqueta; Ings.
Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey remain out of action for the visitors, with both expected to return after the November international break. Eddie Nketiah made the most of Jesus’ absence at the weekend by netting his first Premier League hat-trick against Sheffield United.
However, Nketiah could drop to the bench on Wednesday with Kai Havertz potentially being used up top.
Arteta will undoubtedly rotate his XI plenty. Aaron Ramsdale is a sure bet to return, while Fabio Vieira, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Jorginho, and Leandro Trossard should all make starts. Martin Odegaard was an unused substitute on Saturday and will likely be saved for the upcoming trip to St. James’ Park.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Smith Rowe, Vieira; Nelson, Havertz, Trossard.
West Ham are in a bit of a rut, while Arsenal have shown their swagger and steel since the October break.
However, Arteta will rotate his starting XI in midweek ahead of their trip to Newcastle on Saturday which should give the Hammers an opening. While Arsenal’s squad is deeper this time around, there’s no denying the drop in quality in particular positions.
Thus, this should be a hard-fought cup tie between two London rivals. West Ham have the attacking talent to trouble the visitors, but do they have the manager? Much has been made of Moyes’ antiquated ideals in recent weeks, and the hosts could succumb yet again on Wednesday.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Arsenal
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90Mins
