Arsenal v West Ham United
Saturday 7th April
Emirates Stadium
Kick off: 3pm
Team News:
Matty Upson and Danny Gabbidon are striving to get back to fitness
after their respective calf and groin injuries and are therefore
unlikely to feature. Nigel Quashie is still struggling with a
damaged foot, despite coming through a reserve game on Monday,
while Calum Davenport is also suffering with an injured foot and is
unlikely to take part.
Emmanuel Eboue faces a late fitness test as he struggles with a
groin problem but Gilberto (hip) and Jeremie Aliadiere (foot) have
recovered from the injuries that sidelined them last Saturday. Long
terms absentees Thierry Henry, Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie
will miss out.
Background:
Tomorrow's game is set to be the 100th League meeting between
West Ham United and Arsenal, of which the Hammers have won 26,
Arsenal have won 43 and 30 games have ended in a draw.
Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premiership, two points behind Liverpool, who beat them 4-1 last week. If the Hammers can win at the Emirates they will be the first away team to do so all season and will inflict on Arsenal their third consecutive League defeat; a run the Gunners haven't repeated since December 2006.
The Hammers, meanwhile, are hoping to win three in a row for the first time this season. The last meeting between the two sides was memorable, with Marlon Harewood scoring a late winner in November and Arsene Wenger refusing to shake hands with Alan Pardew at the final whistle.
If the Hammers can win, it will be their third victory in a row
against Arsenal and their first league double over the Gunners in
over 40 years.
Stats:
The referee for tomorrow's game is Graham Poll from Tring who
has officiated for the Hammers twice this season: the 2-0 defeat at
Portsmouth in October and the 3-3 home draw with Fulham in
January.
Arsenal are the Premiership's most dangerous club in the
final 15 minutes, when they've scored 17 of their 52 goals this
season. Hammers were the last team to beat Arsenal at home when
they won 3-2 at Highbury in February last year.
Tickets and travel:
Tickets for the fixture are sold out. For information on travelling
to the Emirates Stadium click
here .
Weather:
The forecast for tomorrow is bright, with sunny intervals predicted
and highs of up to 18C.