Arsenal v West Ham: Visitors fear another Poldi pasting

Betting Tips | Article posted on April 15th, 2025

“Arsenal have kept only one of their last 12 opponents quiet at any venue, and West Ham have fired a mere two blanks in ten.”Best Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.9210/11

Michael Lintorn expects West Ham to net at the Emirates, but Lukas Podolski to hurt them again…
Arsenal v West Ham, Tuesday 19:45, Sky Sports 1, Match Odds: Arsenal 1.4740/85, West Ham 8.415/2, The Draw 4.84/1
The stage seems set for West Ham to strike a further blow to Arsenal’s wavering top-four bid. While they have enjoyed nine days relaxing since running Liverpool close, the hosts were sapped physically and mentally at Wembley three days ago in their FA Cup semi-final shootout win against Wigan.
Additionally, the Irons have revealed themselves to be nocturnal creatures recently, winning their last three midweek fixtures and memorably drawing the one prior to that 0-0 at Chelsea. Arsenal by contrast haven’t triumphed in any of their last five midweek encounters.
However, West Ham often appear to be in promising positions both before and during clashes with the Gunners only to disappoint. The north Londoners have won the last seven editions of this derby despite trailing in four, including all three since Sam Allardyce’s side returned to the top tier.
The prospect of away captain Kevin Nolan missing out to a hamstring injury is also a concern. Though the prolific attacking midfielder is a polarising figure at the Boleyn, he has been superb since returning from the second of two reckless suspensions in late January, and is their top scorer again.
Both teams to score
Between March and mid-February, Arsenal conceded just once in 12 games at the Emirates, keeping seven clean sheets in a row at one point. Since that sequence was ended by one of many Steven Gerrard penalties in the FA Cup, it started a run of six home matches without a shutout.
Arsene Wenger’s men have kept only one of their last 12 opponents quiet at any venue, and West Ham have fired a mere two blanks in ten. Factor in that they have netted in three straight meetings with Arsenal and you have quite the case for both teams scoring.
To score
Wenger’s decision to replace Lukas Podolski rather than Yaya Sanogo when bringing on Olivier Giroud 68 minutes into Arsenal’s struggle past Wigan was greeted with jeers, but the long-term benefits of his early exit could become apparent against West Ham.
The German forward has been decisive in his last two clashes with the capital’s claret-and-blue club. He scored the equaliser and provided three assists in last season’s 5-1 home win then came on with his side 0-1 down at the Boleyn this term and grabbed a goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory.
Best Bet: Back both