Arsenal face West Ham in a crucial London Derby at Emirates Stadium. Get our expert match prediction, betting tips, team news, and tactical analysis for this Premier League clash.
Premier League Matchweek 7 | Saturday, October 4, 2025 | Emirates Stadium, 17:00 PM EAT
Arsenal welcome their cross-town rivals in what promises to be another exciting chapter in this storied derby. With North London Giants chasing their first Premier League title in over two decades and West Ham fighting to stabilize after a rocky start, Saturday's encounter carries massive implications for both clubs.
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Arsenal can't afford slip-ups at home if they're serious about finally ending their title drought. After finishing as runners-up three seasons in a row, every match against mid-table opposition feels like a must-win. The Gunners need to prove their expensive summer signings have given them the edge that's been missing in those heartbreaking near-misses.The gunners have started 2025/26 season well, they are currently 2nd with 4 wins and only a single loss to Liverpool.
West Ham, meanwhile, are in a different kind of battle.They currently lie in 19th place, 1 win and 4 losses after 6 matches leading to Sack of Graham Potter and replaced with Nuno Santo on 27th of September. Their defensive frailties have been exposed in recent weeks, and they're struggling to break down teams that sit deep. A result at the Emirates would do wonders for confidence and silence any doubts about their direction. Drop points here, though, and they could find themselves drifting toward the wrong end of the table, with European dreams fading fast.
While Arsenal have dominated this fixture historically, West Ham have proven they can pull off upsets when it matters. The Hammers have won at the Emirates twice in the last two seasons—results that still sting for Gunners fans.
Last 5 Premier League Meetings:
| Date | Venue | Result | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 22, 2025 | Emirates Stadium | Arsenal 0-1 | Late Bowen winner silences home crowd |
| Nov 30, 2024 | London Stadium | West Ham 2-5 Arsenal | Saka masterclass with 2 goals, 2 assists |
| Feb 11, 2024 | London Stadium | West Ham 0-6 Arsenal | Complete domination from the Gunners |
| Dec 28, 2023 | Emirates Stadium | Arsenal 0-2 West Ham | Shock defeat dents title hopes |
| Apr 16, 2023 | London Stadium | West Ham 2-2 Arsenal | Rice's emotional return ends in draw |
Overall Record (Since 1995): Arsenal have won 38 times to West Ham's 9, with 10 draws. The Gunners have scored 116 goals compared to West Ham's 48 in all competitions.
The pattern is clear: when Arsenal turn up, they dominate completely. But West Ham have shown they can catch the Gunners cold, especially when the pressure's on.
Mikel Arteta's side will set up in their trademark 4-3-3 that morphs into a 4-2-3-1 when attacking. Expect them to dominate possession (likely 65%+ again) and pin West Ham back in their own half.
The key for Arsenal will be patience. West Ham will pack bodies behind the ball, so the Gunners need to avoid forcing things. Their set-piece routine under Nicolas Jover has become one of their most dangerous weapons—don't be surprised if they score from a corner with those intricate near-post movements.
Watch for Bukayo Saka on the right wing. He's been Arsenal's most consistent threat, and West Ham will need at least two players tracking him whenever he picks up the ball. If they over-commit to stopping Saka, Martin Ødegaard will find space in the middle to pull the strings.
Under their current management, West Ham have embraced a pragmatic approach. They'll likely deploy a 4-1-4-1 that drops into a 5-4-1 when defending, looking to frustrate Arsenal and hit them on the break.
The game plan is simple but effective: stay compact, force Arsenal wide, and launch quick counters through Jarrod Bowen's pace. If they can survive the first 30 minutes without conceding, they'll grow in confidence and the Emirates crowd might get restless.
Magassa and Fernandes will form the defensive midfield shield, trying to cut off supply lines to Ødegaard. When they win the ball, look for them to quickly release Bowen on the right or Summerville on the left, with the goal of catching Arsenal's full-backs too high up the pitch.
The biggest storyline remains Declan Rice facing his old club. The England international has been everything Arsenal hoped for since his £105 million move, controlling games with his ball-winning and progressive passing. He'll be desperate to prove he made the right choice by dominating his opposite opponent, Magassa, in the midfield battle.
Expect an emotional but professional performance from Rice, who'll look to dictate tempo and protect against the counter-attacks he knows West Ham will launch.
Arsenal's summer signing has been a revelation, bringing the physical presence and clinical finishing they've been missing. Gyökeres thrives on crosses from wide areas and is excellent at finding space between defenders. He has already scored 3 goals for Arsenal in all competitons.He'll be looking to bully West Ham's center-backs, Kilman and Mavropanos, who can be vulnerable against mobile strikers.
If West Ham are going to get anything from this game, Bowen will likely be at the heart of it. The England winger has haunted Arsenal before with his pace and smart runs in behind. He'll be up against Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, and if he can isolate them in one-on-one situations, West Ham have a chance.
Bowen's also on penalties, so any soft free kicks in the box could prove crucial.
The Arsenal captain has been hampered by injuries this season. Though he was on fire in midweek against Olimiacos setting up Saka with a sublime pass for 2nd goal. His ability to find pockets of space between West Ham's midfield and defense will be crucial. If Ødegaard gets time on the ball in those dangerous areas, he'll carve West Ham open with through balls and clever passes.
West Ham's defensive midfielders will have their hands full trying to track his movement without leaving gaps elsewhere.
The Gunners are relatively healthy but face a quick turnaround after their Champions League match against Olympiacos on Tuesday. Arteta might rotate slightly to keep legs fresh for the busy schedule ahead.
Ben White is available but might be saved for later in the match, with Jurriën Timber offering more defensive solidity at right-back against Bowen's pace. In midfield, Zubimendi could start alongside Rice to add solidity, though there's always the option to bring in fresher legs depending on how the team recovered from Wednesday night.
Expected Arsenal Lineup (4-3-3):
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Ødegaard, Eze; Gyökeres
Lucas Paquetá remains a doubt with an ankle concern that's kept him out of training this week. Losing their creative spark would be a massive blow for West Ham, as he's crucial to linking defense and attack during transitions.
Crysencio Summerville is also struggling with a hamstring issue, which limits their pace options from the bench. The Hammers at least had a full week to prepare without European distractions, which should help them physically in the latter stages.
Expected West Ham Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Areola; Walker- Peters, Kilman, Mavropanos, Diouf; Magassa, Fernandes; Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Füllkrug
The statistics heavily favor the home side. Arsenal's defensive partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel is among the Premier League's best, conceding less than a goal per game on average. Their Expected Goals Against (xGA) numbers show they rarely give opponents quality chances.Mosquera has also slotted in nicely with huge performances covering for Saliba .
At the other end, they create plenty of opportunities through patient build-up and devastating set-pieces. With the crowd behind them and superior squad depth, Arsenal should have too much quality over 90 minutes.
West Ham's defensive issues are well-documented. They've been leaking goals, particularly from set-pieces, and they struggle when teams pin them back for long periods. Arsenal excel at exactly that kind of suffocating possession football.
Westham have had a horrid start of of 2025/2026 season.They currently are i. 19th palce with 1 win, 1 draw and 4 losses after 6 matches.They have also been eliminated in second round of Efl Cup.
That said, we've seen this story before. West Ham have won twice at the Emirates in recent seasons by staying disciplined, frustrating Arsenal early, and punishing mistakes with clinical counter-attacks.
If they can keep it tight for the first half-hour and avoid conceding from a corner, the pressure will build on Arsenal. The Emirates crowd can turn from supportive to anxious pretty quickly when things aren't flowing.
West Ham's best chance comes from forcing turnovers in midfield and getting the ball to Bowen in space. One moment of quality from their captain could be enough to nick a point or even all three.
Final Score Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United
We're backing Arsenal to win this one, but it won't be as comfortable as some might expect. The match will likely follow a familiar pattern: Arsenal dominating possession but struggling to break down West Ham's organized defense in the first half.
Arsenal will eventually score through a set-piece or a moment of brilliance from Saka or Ødegaard just before halftime. West Ham will grab a goal on the counter early in the second half to make things nervy, with Bowen most likely to find the net after catching Arsenal's defense too high.
But Arsenal's quality and depth will tell in the final 20 minutes. Expect Gyökeres to grab a brace, with his physical presence proving too much for West Ham's center-backs as they tire.
Goal Scorers: Viktor Gyökeres (2), Bukayo Saka | Jarrod Bowen
Key to Victory: Declan Rice's performance in midfield could be the difference. If he can break West Ham's initial press and spray accurate long passes, Arsenal will bypass the congested midfield and create more chances in dangerous areas.
Based on recent form, historical data, and tactical matchups, here are our recommended bets for this London Derby:
Arsenal to Win (1/4 or 1.25) ✓ RECOMMENDED
The Gunners are overwhelming favorites for good reason. Home advantage, superior form, and historical dominance make this the safest bet. While the odds aren't generous, combining it in an accumulator could boost returns.
Over 2.5 Goals (5/6 or 1.83)✓ VALUE BET
Recent meetings between these sides have produced plenty of goals. Arsenal scored 5 at the London Stadium last season and 6 the year before. Even when West Ham win at the Emirates, it's rarely 0-0 or 1-0. Both teams like to attack, making this an attractive option.
Viktor Gyökeres Anytime Goalscorer (11/10 or 2.10) ✓ STRONG PICK
Arsenal's new striker has been clinical in front of goal and will be the focal point of their attack. Against West Ham's vulnerable defense, he should get multiple chances.
Correct Score: Arsenal 3-1 (10/1 or 11.00)✓ VALUE BET
This scoreline reflects Arsenal's expected dominance while acknowledging West Ham's counter-attacking threat. It's happened before in this fixture and offers decent value.
Both Teams to Score (4/5 or 1.80)✓ GOOD OPTION
West Ham have scored in four of the last five meetings, even in heavy defeats. Bowen's pace gives them a genuine threat on the break, making this a solid insurance bet.
Bukayo Saka to Score or Assist (4/6 or 1.67) ✓ RECOMMENDED
Saka has been involved in goals consistently this season. He's Arsenal's most dangerous winger and West Ham will struggle to contain him for 90 minutes.
Consider combining Arsenal to Win + Over 2.5 Goals for enhanced odds around 7/4 (2.75). This reflects the most likely game scenario based on recent meetings.
For a riskier accumulator, try Arsenal 3-1 Correct Score + Gyökeres Anytime Scorer for significant returns if it comes off.
Value Bet Alert:Arsenal to win both halves at around 11/8 (2.38) could be worth a small stake, though West Ham's resilience early on makes it less certain than a straight win.
Viktor Gyökeres (Forward, £11.0m) - CAPTAIN PICK
The Swedish striker offers the highest ceiling for this gameweek. As Arsenal's primary attacking outlet, he should be heavily involved in goals against a leaky West Ham defense. Strong captaincy option if you don't own Haaland.
Bukayo Saka (Midfielder, £10.2m) - ESSENTIAL
Saka has points in almost every gameweek and is almost matchup-proof at this stage. He'll be on set-pieces alongside Ødegaard and should rack up attacking returns against West Ham's shaky defense.
William Saliba (Defender, £6.0m) - GREAT VALUE
Even with our prediction of West Ham scoring, Saliba offers excellent value. He's almost guaranteed 90 minutes, picks up bonus points regularly due to his passing stats, and has attacking threat from set-pieces. One of the best defensive picks in FPL.
Jarrod Bowen (Midfielder, £8.5m) - DIFFERENTIAL CAPTAIN
Bowen is captained by less than 2% of managers but has proven he can haul even in difficult matches. He's on penalties, has pace to burn, and has scored at the Emirates before. If you're chasing in your mini-league, he's a bold differential option.
Martin Ødegaard (Midfielder, £8.8m) - Better value elsewhere despite his quality. Saka and Gyökeres offer more FPL upside from the same team.
West Ham Defenders- Avoid entirely. They're conceding goals regularly and unlikely to keep a clean sheet at the Emirates.
Here are the key numbers that could define this London Derby:
Arsenal's Set-Piece Dominance
Arsenal scored 20+ goals from set-pieces last season, more than any other Premier League team. West Ham's zonal marking has been vulnerable to intricate routines, making corners and free-kicks potentially decisive.
West Ham's Counter-Attack Success Rate
West Ham create 35% of their chances through counter-attacks—the third-highest in the league. However, Arsenal's tactical fouling (they commit the most "professional fouls" in the Premier League) is designed specifically to stop these transitions.
Possession Battle
Expect Arsenal to control 65-70% of possession based on season averages. The question isn't whether they'll dominate the ball, but whether they can convert that dominance into goals.
Shot Quality
Arsenal generate an average xG (Expected Goals) of 2.1 per home game, while West Ham produce just 0.9 xG away from home. The quality of chances should heavily favor the Gunners.
UK Broadcast: Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event
USA: NBC, Peacock Premium
Streaming: Sky Go (UK), Fubo TV (USA), DAZN (Canada)
Kick-off Time: 3:00 PM BST / 5:00 PM EAT
This derby has all the ingredients for drama. Arsenal need the win to maintain their title challenge, while West Ham are desperate for a result to ease growing pressure. The Gunners have the quality, home advantage, and tactical edge to get the job done.
But as we've seen in recent seasons, West Ham know how to frustrate Arsenal and catch them cold. If the Hammers can stay organized for the first half and limit Arsenal to half-chances, they might just pull off another shock result at the Emirates.
Ultimately, we're backing Arsenal's superior squad depth and attacking firepower to make the difference. Arteta's side should start quickly, score from a set-piece, and control the game despite a West Ham goal that makes things interesting for a spell.
The real test for Arsenal isn't just winning—it's winning convincingly and proving they have the mentality to grind out results when the going gets tough. This is exactly the kind of match that separates title contenders from also-rans.
Our Verdict: Arsenal 3-1 West Ham. Comfortable home win after a competitive first hour.
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What time is Arsenal vs West Ham kick-off?
The match kicks off at 3:00 PM BST on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Emirates Stadium.
How can I watch Arsenal vs West Ham?
UK viewers can watch on Sky Sports, while US fans can stream via Peacock Premium or NBC.
What is the Arsenal vs West Ham head-to-head record?
Arsenal have won 38 times to West Ham's 9, though the Hammers have won twice at the Emirates in the last two seasons.
Who is Arsenal's top scorer this season?
Viktor Gyökeres leads Arsenal's scoring charts following his summer arrival from Sporting CP.
Will Declan Rice play against his former club?
Yes, Rice is expected to start in midfield for Arsenal against his former team West Ham United.
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