Pundit eyes shock amid Arsenal team news as West Ham United return to Premier League action
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes West Ham could cause a shock when they turn up at the Emirates to face league leaders Arsenal on Boxing Day.
The Hammers return to Premier League action against the Gunners in the evening kick-off, currently sitting just one point above the relegation zone after nine defeats in their 15 games so far this season.
But with Arsenal likely to be without several first-team players including star striker Gabriel Jesus through injury and participation at the World Cup, the former Irons striker believes if they can control the game they could hit them on the counter and put a marker down for the second half of the season.
“That’ll be good for West Ham,” he told West Ham Zone.
“West Ham can go there and hold. We’re not bad at hitting people on the break so..
“Arsenal just look so young and energetic at the moment, you’ve just got to control them at the minute. But because they’re so young it could go either way.
“It’s going to be one hell of a game. It’s one that I’d relish. Coming back, it’s a good start. You go there and win and you put a marker down. You go and win at the Emirates you put a big marker down.
“So I’d rather go there than go to Bournemouth or Brighton or something like that, because it’s a big one. The boys will be up for that hopefully. I know I would be.
“There’s a few of them out injured too, and West Ham have not had a game for ages some of them so I think it’s a huge game. It could work in their favour, I hope.”