Mark Goldbridge makes ‘tough’ Arsenal title prediction ahead of West Ham United clash
Mark Goldbridge has claimed he doesn’t think Arsenal have got enough to win the Premier League title this season, insisting they must beat West Ham to keep their chances alive.
The Manchester United fan was live on talkSPORT as he predicted a draw ahead of the game, insisting West Ham would need a reaction following their 3-0 loss at Old Trafford last weekend.
Goldbridge shared his view that Arsenal will have to take their game to a new level if they want to beat David Moyes’ side, who have already beaten the Gunners twice this season.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [10 February, 20:23], Goldbridge predicted: “West Ham are a well-organised team this year. I really do think that this game for Arsenal is tough.
“They’ve beaten Manchester City at home this season, they beat Liverpool at home last week, but I don’t think Arsenal will win the league this season.
“I think they lack a really killer striker. They’re very reliant on Declan Rice in that midfield. I still think there’s improvement for Arsenal and Arteta. If they want to stay in it, they’ve got to go and win this game.
“Arsenal have to go to West Ham and win. I’m not actually 100 per cent sure that they will. I think against Liverpool we saw them play that high line, Arsenal could counter and it suited them. West Ham aren’t going to do that. West Ham are going to play a low block and look to counter.
“Arsenal are going to have to show a different level to their game to win this. If they win tomorrow, I think it’s a huge boost to their confidence and sets them up for the rest of the season, but I’ve got a feeling we’ll see a reaction from West Ham. I’ve got a funny feeling it’ll be a draw. Not forgetting West Ham did win at the Emirates.”
David Moyes and West Ham won’t make it easy for Arsenal
A huge win for Arsenal against Liverpool last weekend set tongues wagging once more about a possible title challenge for the Gunners, but excited North Londoners may need reminding of what happened last time they paid a visit to East London in the middle of a title race.
Funnily enough, that result came off the back of a clash with Liverpool too, so while the result against the Reds may have changed, Moyes will be looking to replicate or better the 2-2 scoreline we saw in April.
This season, though, clashes against the Hammers haven’t come easily to Mikel Arteta’s side. A 3-1 Carabao Cup victory in November was followed shortly by a 2-0 victory for Moyes at the Emirates, and the Gunners won’t be looking forward to this one, as Paul Merson warned.
The game will also represent a reunion of sorts for Rice, who is likely to make his first league return to the London Stadium since leaving last summer, but West Ham will hope to dismiss any suggestions of a happy return.
In other West Ham news, Edson Alvarez sent a two-word message after one Hammers departure.
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