Tomas Soucek to be destroyed by Arsenal in West Ham clash – Paul Merson
Paul Merson believes West Ham United will be completely overrun this Saturday by Arsenal, who he says will take a 3-0 win from the London Stadium.
In his Premier League predictions column with SportsKeeda [27 November], former Gunner Merson admits he is unable to see past a comprehensive win for his ex-club, despite the Hammers’ impressive 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Monday [25 November].
The late kick-off in East London [30 November] sees Julen Lopetegui aim for back-to-back wins, though a much sterner challenge is expected for the likes of Monday’s scorer Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez in the middle of the park against the likes of Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and European-winning Hammer Declan Rice.
It is that area of the pitch that Merson thinks the Irons will particularly struggle.
Merson said: “West Ham got an incredible win against Newcastle. But they are never going to keep this free-flowing Arsenal team out of the game.
“I have a feeling Arsenal will destroy West Ham’s midfield. Their midfielders are no match for Arsenal. I think this will be a comfortable win for the visitors.”
West Ham United will face huge midfield battle v Arsenal
If West Ham take momentum from Monday’s win on Tyneside back in front of their home crowd, they could spring a surprise – even a point would be an excellent result.
But they are facing an Arsenal side at the wrong time, given Odegaard is now back fit, and they have just blown away both Nottingham Forest and Portuguese Goliaths Sporting in the space of three days.
This fixture was one to forget for the Hammers last season, at the time in the twilight chapter of the David Moyes era, as Rice topped off the scoring in a 6-0 rout for Mikel Arteta’s men.
But the tried and tested Irons players to whom Lopetegui appears to remain faithful have also got the better of the Gunners, winning 2-0 in a superb performance at the Emirates last term.
The likes of Soucek who have seen it all will now everything about what the Arsenal midfield can produce, not to mention the number of times he played alongside Rice. The same applies to Lucas Paqueta, who put in an immense display at Newcastle which has so far largely lacked this season.
For newcomers in the centre like Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez, the force of Arteta’s Arsenal could be unfamiliar territory – but it is integral the Hammers begin the showdown well.
In other West Ham news, Jean-Clair Todibo’s hopes of being fit for the weekend are in limbo.
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