Moyes: ‘we still believe’
Check out David Moyes’ post match press conference after West Ham lost 2-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa League semifinal first leg. He thought that his team lacked the quality and concentration at times, but still believes that the tie is there for the taking.
West Ham vs Arsenal: Line-ups
West Ham
Arsenal
Arsenal Have the Upper Hand
#1
Amid their quest for Europa League glory, West Ham’s domestic fortunes have suffered a nosedive with two defeats and a draw from their last three in the Premier League, with last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea leaving them seventh in the table and three points adrift of Manchester United.
#2
Wolverhampton Wanderers are also breathing down the necks of West Ham, whose best shot of securing a Champions League berth for 2022-23 undoubtedly lies in the Europa League, but Moyes will not want to relinquish the backup of a top-seven finish in the top flight in order to return to any form of continental competition.
#3
Furthermore, West Ham welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium having scored in every one of their Premier League home matches this season, and they have taken 14 points from the last 18 on offer on home soil, but the Gunners know a thing or two about winning crucial away matches in the capital.
#4
Spurs could temporarily rise back into the top four should they get the better of Leicester City a couple of hours before Arsenal take to the field against West Ham, but the Gunners have now won six of their last eight away games in the top flight and will be aware that West Ham have bigger fish to fry at present.
#5
Arteta’s side came back from 3-0 down to rescue a 3-3 draw versus West Ham in this fixture last season, but their meeting at the Emirates back in December ended in a straightforward 2-0 success, and Arsenal’s 13 away victories against the Hammers represents their most against a single side in the Premier League.
DPP Verdict
Not one Premier League side has managed to stop West Ham scoring at the London Stadium this term, and that streak is unlikely to end here, with Arteta’s side still very much capable of the odd defensive lapse. However, a raft of changes can be expected from Moyes with the second leg of their Europa League semi-final in mind, and a well-rested Arsenal side who have turned up the heat in the big games should post another crucial three points in their Champions League pursuit.
