West Ham have PL Arsenal encounter after Europa League exit
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The Gunners are odds-on at 3/10 with Coral to beat the Hammers in their Premier League opener and go into this match on the back of a successful pre-season plus a Community Shield win against Chelsea.
Arsenal won both matches against the east London outfit last term. At the Emirates Arsene Wenger’s side triumphed 3-0 with Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini scoring.
The former two are 3/1 and 5/1 respectively to break the deadlock, while the Frenchman who is likely to start from the bench, is 9/1 in the anytime market.
With Alexis Sanchez being rested and Danny Welbeck still injured, Wenger must decide who to play up front, though Giroud will likely get the nod, with Theo Walcott, an awesome enhanced 11/2 match special to score two or more, operating from the right wing after five in his last five against the Hammers.
For Slaven Bilic’s side, Dimitri Payet will make his Premier League debut. The French attacker created 135 chances in Ligue 1 last season – the most in Europe’s top leagues, though is 5/1 in to net in the anytime market.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 14 matches against West Ham, who have the worst opening day record of any Premier League team, losing nine.
With Enner Valencia injured and Andy Carroll not fit enough to play, the Hammers must rely on Diafra Sakho, who started last season well. The striker is 11/4 in the anytime market, however, it was Cheikhou Kouyate who netted in the home fixture as the Hammers succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, and he is 8/1 anytime.
Bilic has described new loan signing Manuel Lanzini as “our David Silva” and, as a result, he is 5/1 to net anytime, while right back Carl Jenkinson is ineligible against his parent club.
When asked whether his side can win the Premier League this term, Wenger was positive and the Gunners can set a precedent against the Hammers. “I believe yes, all going well, and us maintaining our game,” he said. “That’s important as well – that we develop what we do well and do not stand still.
“That means we develop our cohesion, our passing game. If we are capable to keep the cohesion and the solidarity we have at the moment through the 38 games, we have a good chance.”
Coral’s top tip: Walcott scores two or more @ 3/1
