North vs. East: Arsenal Host West Ham in Pivotal London Derby Showdown
Arsenal welcome West Ham in a clash that feels important for both ends of the table. Mikel Arteta’s side are sitting near the top, fresh from a gritty 2-1 win at Newcastle that kept them within touching distance of the leaders. Their home form and defensive solidity make them strong favourites, but the pressure to keep pace in the title race is real.
West Ham, meanwhile, arrive under new boss Nuno Espírito Santo after a poor run cost Graham Potter his job. The Hammers have been stuck in mid-table, struggling to find consistency, and even a draw here would be valuable to steady their campaign.
Match details:
- Fixture: Arsenal vs West Ham United
- Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST (3:00 pm)
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London (Arsenal’s home)
Live stream:
The match will be live on the Jio Hotstar app ,and will be telecasted on Sky sports and on star sports select 1 too.
| Key Stats | Arsenal | West Ham |
| Head-to-head | 73 wins | 35 wins |
| Draws | 40 | 40 |
| Last 5 Matches | W, L, W, D, W | L, D, L, D, L |
| Aggregate(5) | 9 goals | 4 goals |
| Top Scorer(5) | Bukayo Saka – 3 | Jarrod Bowen – 2 |
| Other Scorers | Jesus – 2, Martinelli – 1 | Antonio – 1, Kudus – 1 |
| Notable Streak | Unbeaten in last 5 PL home games vs West Ham (2019–2024) | Last win at Emirates in PL came in 2015 |
Tactical Tussles:
Arsenal are likely to dominate possession, utilizing quick passing and high pressing to control the tempo. Saka and Martinelli will aim to stretch West Ham’s defense, while the full-backs push forward to create overloads on the flanks. In midfield, Rice’s ability to dictate play will be crucial in breaking down West Ham’s defensive setup.
West Ham, under Nuno Espírito Santo, are expected to adopt a compact defensive shape, absorbing pressure and looking to exploit counter-attacks. Bowen, with his pace and directness, will be key in transitioning the ball quickly, while Paquetá’s creativity can unlock Arsenal’s defense. The midfield battle, particularly between Rice and Paquetá, will be pivotal in determining the flow of the game.
Team news:
Arsenal head into the clash against West Ham with a mostly fit squad, though there are a few concerns. Gabriel Magalhães (knock) picked up a minor injury in midweek, while Piero Hincapié (groin) is doubtful. Gabriel Jesus (knee), Kai Havertz (knee), and Noni Madueke (knee) remain sidelined, so Arteta will need to adjust his attack accordingly.
West Ham, under Nuno Espírito Santo, have a more limited issue list but will be without Tomas Souček (suspension), and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (stomach) is doubtful after missing the recent game.
X-Factors:
Arsenal
- Bukayo Saka — winger, often the creative hub and main threat in wide areas.
- Declan Rice — defensive midfielder, disrupts opposition play and dictates tempo.
West Ham
- Jarrod Bowen — winger, primary outlet for counter-attacks and goal involvement.
- Lucas Paquetá — midfielder, capable of unlocking defenses with clever passing.
Predicted line-ups:
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
- Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
- Areola; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Magassa; Bowen, Fernandes, Paqueta, Summerville; Fullkrug
