Football

The Arsenal manager worked under Guardiola at Manchester City before taking charge at Emirates Stadium in December 2019, and is now in the middle of a title race in the Premier League with his former mentor.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Friday's game between the Gunners and City and the Etihad Stadium, Arteta said he was inspired by Guardiola, and compared his impact on football to that of Johan Cruyff.

"I feel gratitude, first of all, because he inspired me as a player, and he inspired me and gave me the opportunity as a coach," the Spaniard said. 

"I wouldn't probably have had the career that I had as a player, the understanding of the game or the purpose that I had as a player if he hadn't been at that time at Barcelona.

"And I wouldn't be sitting here and having that willingness and that love for coaching if we hadn't crossed in my life and he hadn't given the opportunity that he gave me. That's it."

Arteta spent three years as a player in Barcelona's C and B teams before leaving for Rangers in 2002, while Guardiola was a part of the Blaugrana's first team at the same time.

"I was looking at him and I just wanted to do it what he was doing," Arteta explained. "And I loved the way he played and the way he was transmitting on the pitch and his understanding what was happening on the pitch. It was an inspiration, since I was 18 years old."

Guardiola helped turn Barca into a dominant force as a head coach, before successful spells at Bayern Munich and City, and Arteta said he has picked up a lot from working with him closely.

"I think the influence that Pep has had on football in the past 20 years, it's just incredibly powerful," he said. "He changed the game, like Johan did in the past... we have been inspired by a lot of things that he's done. 

"Everyone has to build his own career and his own pathway. A career is not for six months, or a year, or two years. Let's see and let everybody develop the way that they should."

Erling Haaland's 100th Manchester City goal had put the hosts in front in the ninth minute, only for Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes to turn the game on its head.

Despite their goal advantage at the break, the Gunners also entered the interval with a man less after Trossard was given his marching orders for a second yellow card. 

The visitors withstood an endless wave of City pressure, facing 28 shots in the second half before John Stones netted in the eighth minute of injury time. 

While Arsenal will leave the Etihad disappointed with not taking all three points, Arteta lauded his players for their efforts against "the best team in the world".

"I am so proud of the team. We played the game in a difficult context. Playing against the best team in the world," Arteta said. 

"After what happened, we went 2-1 up - it was a different story and I prefer not to make any comment about that [Leandro Trossard's red card].

"Obviously, it is already a miracle we played 56 minutes at the Etihad with 10 men. It is unbelievable what we have done."

However, Arteta was far less effusive about Michael Oliver's decision to show Trossard a second yellow card for delaying the restart after fouling Bernardo Silva.

Since the Spaniard's first game in charge of the Gunners, he has seen 17 players red carded in the Premier League - at least four more than any other club.

"It is very obvious, I don't need to talk about it. I think the red card is very clear, very obvious what people think," Arteta continued. 

"It is not my job to come here and judge what happened.

"My job is to survive in one of the most difficult environments there is in football for 55 minutes and try to get things done to survive.

"The rest is not my job, but it has already happened twice in five games, which is very worrying to see in the best league, the Premier League.

"[The red card] makes the situation impossible. It is very, very hard to play with 11 players, with ten it is impossible.

"With ten you have to defend your six-yard box time and time again."

It was a frustrating afternoon for the reigning champions, with Pep Guardiola's side restricted to very little by Arsenal's stern defensive resolve. 

The Gunners averaged just 12.5% possession after the break, with City failing to make their advantage count until the last kick of an enthralling encounter. 

In Arsenal's attempts to halt the City onslaught, a number of players went down with cramp, much to the frustration of the home faithful packed inside the Etihad. 

"I don't know how many [Arsenal] players went down with cramp, but that can of course happen in a demanding game," Guardiola added. 

"We crossed and crossed and had Ruben [Dias], Manuel [Akanji], Erling [Haaland] but when you cross they have Declan Rice, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, so it is so difficult.

"There were ten players there. In the end, we got what we deserved.

"Maybe I would have done the same because it is with ten men. You have to ask Mikel [Arteta] what the tactic was.

"They were good with the long balls into Kai Havertz who is so strong and they go for the second balls.

"In the end we were patient, had the chances and got the goal. That's all."

A dominant first-half display was rewarded with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, only for the visitors to turn the encounter on its head after the break. 

James Justin's deflected header halved the deficit after the break, before the Foxes full-back struck a stunning volley that crashed in off the post. 

But Arteta's side eventually prevailed in second-half stoppage time, with Wilfried Ndidi's own-goal and Kai Havertz's fortuitous effort sealing a memorable victory. 

Despite squandering their early advantage, the Gunners head coach showered praise on his players as preparations now turn to the Champions League on Tuesday. 

"I'm very happy with the performance," he said. "I think we were unbelievable today. We deserved to win with many more goals.

"Starting the second half the way we did, conceding the first goal made things harder and then, with the equaliser, the team showed unbelievable character to keep pushing, creating chance after chance.

"We suffered more than we should have, but this is football. [I am] really happy with the team."

Arsenal were made to work for their victory after registering 36 shots, their joint-most on record (since 2003-04) in a single Premier League game. 

But Ndidi’s own goal was the 16th 90th-minute winning own-goal scored in Premier League history, with Arsenal benefitting from five of these - more than any other side.

However, the Gunners' display showed the winning mentality instilled in them since Arteta's appointment, something he highlighted as a standout from the victory. 

"We felt it should have been many more, and it wasn't, and suddenly it is 2-2, but we had to deal with a very good team with difficult circumstances, and we stayed really composed," he said. 

"We had a lot of clarity, understanding what we had to do, and we kept doing what we had to do, and we earned the right to win it."

The Gunners kickstarted their Champions League campaign with a point, but the result could have been much different if not for Raya's stunning intervention.

Atalanta had the opportunity to take the lead six minutes into the second half when Ederson was brought down by Thomas Partey inside the area. 

Mateo Retegui assumed responsibility from 12 yards, only to see Raya dive to his right to save before springing back to his feet to deny the Italian's header on the follow-up. 

"I witnessed two of the best saves I've ever seen in my career from David in that moment," Arteta said.

"If you can't win, you have to take the point. We started well, then we lost control and were very inconsistent. We didn't suffer defensively, apart from the penalty."

Raya's heroics even drew praise from Arteta's opposite number, Gian Piero Gasperini, who described the double save as "unbelievable".

"He's a cat. The first save is good but the rebound is unbelievable. The goalkeeper has been crucial," Gasperini said. 

The Spaniard became just the fourth Arsenal goalkeeper to save a spot-kick in the Champions League, after Richard Wright, Jens Lehmann and Lukasz Fabianski (all two).

Raya has now also saved four of the last eight penalties he has faced in all competitions, including shoot-outs, having conceded 19 in a row beforehand. 

But the Arsenal goalkeeper remained modest in light of his involvement on what proved to be a difficult night for the Gunners.  

"It was just a penalty, and I was lucky to go the right way," Raya started.

"I was unlucky that the rebound went straight to him, but I was quick enough to get up and save it.

"It is fantastic to be able to keep the clean sheet and to help the team to get at least a point.

"We know this is a tough place to come, they are a magnificent team and put a lot of pressure on us.

"We made it very difficult for them as well, they did not create many chances, the penalty and that's it.

"It's a point away from home in the first game of the Champions League. We could have played better, but I thought we managed the game well.

"We weren't at our best so if we cannot win the game, let's not lose it."

Despite the point at the Gewiss Stadium, Arteta was left wanting more from his players, who struggled in the attacking third against last season's Europa League winners.

The Gunners attempted just six shots against Atalanta, their fewest in a Champions League away game in 10 years, since having just five shots against Borussia Dortmund in 2014.

Arsenal have also now failed to score in three consecutive Champions League away games for the first time since February 2007, while they’re winless in four-straight games (D2 L2) on the road in the competition for the first time since September 2011 (D1 L3).

With a trip to Premier League champions Manchester City this weekend, Arteta is looking for a response from his squad. 

"We had moments with the ball but we never got it into dominance or threat," he said.

"The first 25 minutes we read their approach really good. After that we lost control of the game."

The Gunners swept aside Bournemouth as Saka's penalty opened the scoring before late second-half finishes from Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice sealed another much-needed victory.

With two games to spare, Arsenal have equalled their Premier League win tally from last season (26), only in 1930-31 (28) and 1970-71 (29) have the Gunners won more games in a single top-flight campaign.

That is in large part thanks to Saka, who became the first player to score 20 goals for Arsenal in a season (all competitions) since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2019-20 (29 goals).

He is also the first Englishman to do so for the club since Theo Walcott in 2012-13 (21 goals) and Arteta was quick to praise star winger Saka.

"The level of consistency compared to last year is very similar," the Arsenal manager said at his post-match press conference. 

"There are areas he's better in. I see a different edge to him in the way he competes. He loves winning more than three months ago."

Kai Haverz won Saka's first-half penalty, though Bournemouth may feel the Arsenal forward triggered contact with goalkeeper Mark Travers.

The Cherries also had a goal disallowed at 2-0 down when Dominic Solanke was adjudged to have fouled David Raya before Antoine Semenyo turned into an empty net.

A lengthy VAR check followed both decisions but Arteta refused to comment on either incident, suggesting he had not seen them back yet.

"The honest answer is I haven't seen any of the incidents because I knew you were going to ask me," he added.

"They said do you want to see it and I said no so I can give you an honest answer!"

All 10 of Arsenal’s outfield starters attempted at least one shot in this game, the first time this has happened in a Premier League game for the Gunners since January 2022 against Burnley.

Gabriel Magalhaes almost got in the act but his strike was ruled out late on for offside, before Rice managed to add gloss to a dominant performance.

Rice was playing for West Ham last season as Arsenal capitulated in the title race against Man City, though the England international is hoping for a different outcome this time around.

"I wasn't here last year but I can sense that we are embracing it," the Arsenal midfielder told TNT Sports as Man City prepare to host Wolves later on Saturday.

"Man City are a machine and they don't lose many. Anything can happen in football. Surprises can happen and miracles can happen and we just have to stay focused."

Arsenal will continue to go about their business in hope of Man City slipping up, the Gunners have won 14 of their 16 Premier League games in 2024 (D1 L1), scoring 51 goals and conceding just eight in reply.

Indeed, the Gunners have won the most points in the competition since the turn of the year (43), but Arteta's side remain reliant on favours from elsewhere in the title race.

Arteta's side have drawn consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April 2023 and have now won only eight of their 16 league matches this season.

The Gunners dominated in terms of chances, accumulating an expected goals figure of 1.42 from 13 shots, but were frustrated by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the Toffees' stubborn backline.

Arteta said: "It's very disappointing not to win the game. We fully deserved to win the game.

"We conceded no shots and we dominated play. When we generated big chances we didn’t score a goal.

"It doesn't matter [that Everton had 10 days to prepare]. Look at the intensity we generated in the second half.

"We dominated the game so much."

Pickford made five saves, with a superb, instinctive stop from Bukayo Saka's volley early in the second half a standout.

Saka was withdrawn in the second half of a victory at the Kassam Stadium on Monday that set up a fourth-round tie at Manchester City.

Arsenal face fierce rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday and the sight of Saka limping off was a concern for the leaders.

But Gunners manager Arteta revealed the England winger is "fine" ahead of the short trip to do battle with Spurs this weekend.

Arsenal outclassed League One side Oxford following a lacklustre first-half display, Mohamed Elneny opening the scoring before the in-form Eddie Nketiah helped himself to a clinical quickfire double.

Vieira came into the starting line-up as one of seven changes made by Arteta and whipped in a brilliant free-kick for Elneny to break the deadlock with a header, then set up Nketiah for the second goal.

The midfielder has endured a frustrating start to his Gunners career due to injury, but Arteta is in no doubt he will prove to be a shrewd signing.

Arteta told ITV Sport: "He has the quality. He is a really creative player, and he can decide games in the final third. He made a difference."

Nketiah has scored four goals in as many games since the World Cup in the absence of the injured Gabriel Jesus, taking his tally for the season to seven.

Arteta said of the striker's form: "It is what we want from every player. I am delighted. You have to be scoring goals, and he is doing it."

He added: "We have only one [striker]. And to cope for that many months until Gabby's back is not easy. We have to make the most out of the players we've got."

Arsenal emerge from the second international break of 2024-25 one point adrift of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with 17 points from seven matches. 

With four goals and an assist, Havertz has been a key factor in their positive start, excelling in his new false nine role and scoring a crucial equaliser as they fought back to beat Southampton 3-1 before the hiatus.

Asked if Havertz was now playing with greater confidence, Arteta said: "You can tell. He takes the ball and he runs with the ball. 

"He's on the high press, he goes full gas, the way he holds the ball, the positions he takes in the box. When he plays as a nine, you don't know where he is, that's his football brain. 

"His focus now is, 'I'm going to win the game, I'm going to do it', and that's a different thing.

"He wants more and he's not satisfied with what he's doing because there is still, I think, another level from him."

Opponents Bournemouth are 14th with eight points, having suffered a demoralising 1-0 defeat to previously winless Leicester City two weeks ago.

After that game, boss Andoni Iraola told BBC Sport: "It's difficult to explain, you need to score. We had a disallowed goal, hit the post, the crossbar, we had enough chances to win.

"We have to give merit to their offensive side but on the other side we are missing very clear chances. There are chances that you cannot miss altogether. 

"We have to be more clinical and it is hurting us. All the games apart from Liverpool we have created more chances, but we are not getting the points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo

Bournemouth have had more shot-ending high turnovers than any other side in the Premier League this season (18), while only three sides have faced fewer such shots than the Cherries (six).

Semenyo, who leads all Bournemouth players for goal involvements (four – three goals, one assist) and successful dribbles (12) this term could have a key role to play on the counter.

Arsenal – Kai Havertz

Havertz has been involved in 20 goals in his last 21 Premier League appearances (13 goals, seven assists). 

His first goal for Arsenal came in this exact fixture last season, as he converted a penalty in a 4-0 victory for the Gunners. Could he be in for more joy on the south coast?

MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN

Arsenal are unbeaten in all 10 of their games in all competitions so far this season (seven wins, three draws) – they last had a longer unbeaten run from the start of a campaign in 2007-08 (first 21).

They are chasing a landmark victory, as their 3-1 win over Southampton last time out was their 1,999th top-flight triumph. Victory here would see them become the second English side to reach 2,000, after Liverpool (2,065).

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have lost 11 of their 14 Premier League games against Arsenal, though all three exceptions have been at home (3-3 in January 2017, 2-1 in January 2018, 1-1 in December 2019).

But a repeat should not be expected here. Each of Bournemouth's last 10 Premier League wins have been against sides in the bottom half of the table. 

Andoni Iraola's men are winless in their last 11 matches against sides in the top half since beating Manchester United 3-0 in December last year (four draws, seven losses).

Arsenal boast a tremendous record against the Cherries lately, too. Since Bournemouth returned to the Premier League in 2022, the Gunners have won all four of their meetings with the Cherries by an aggregate score 13-2, netting three or more goals each time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bournemouth – 16.1%

Arsenal – 65.2%

Draw – 18.7%

Tempers flared in the 2-2 draw between the Premier League title rivals at the Etihad Stadium last week.

Ahead of this weekend's fixtures, Guardiola said City would go to "war" with Arsenal, who joined the reigning champions on 14 points after Saturday's games.

While City drew 1-1 at Newcastle United, Arsenal clinched a 4-2 victory over Leicester City thanks to two stoppage-time goals.

After that match, though, Arteta was still asked about Guardiola.

"I've admired him since I was 10 years old," Arteta said on Saturday.

"I respect him profoundly. I'm so grateful for everything he did for me and continues to do for me.

"If someone wants to damage the relationship, that's not in my hands.

"The feeling [of affection] is profound. [Guardiola] knows it, the staff know it because I still [speak] with them today, and with the board, the ownership – with everyone."

Arteta was a coach at City between 2016 and 2019, until he left to replace Unai Emery in charge of the Gunners.

Arteta worked under the tutelage of Guardiola as his assistant from July 2016 until departing to replace Unai Emery as Arsenal head coach last December.

Earlier this month, Arteta had an unhappy return to the Etihad Stadium as the Gunners were beaten 3-0 by City when the Premier League returned from its coronavirus hiatus.

He has a chance to avenge that defeat before the end of the campaign after the teams were drawn to face one another in the FA Cup semi-finals, with Arsenal overcoming Sheffield United and City defeating Newcastle United to make the last four.

Arteta recognises the challenge Arsenal face but acknowledges to win the biggest prizes Arsenal have to overcome the best teams.

"We have spoken a few times in recent weeks. Facing them again in the semi-final is a tricky one but look at the level of the teams who are involved in the competition," Arteta said. 

"If you want to win the title, you have to beat the best teams and if we want to do that we have to beat City."

Arteta may no longer work under Guardiola but says he is still able to seek his counsel.

"Yeah, he's a person that I have huge respect and admiration [for] and we talk about a lot of things," he added. 

"When I need advice or I want him to support me he's always there and willing to help me. For me it's great to have someone like him around."

Since leaving City for Arsenal, Arteta has sought to blood the youngsters within his squad.

Bukayo Saka has particularly flourished under Arteta, while big things are expected of academy prospect Folarin Balogun.

Both youngsters are out of contract in June 2021, with Saka linked to the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, while Southampton are said to be monitoring Balogun's situation.

But Arteta is confident of tying both players down to long-term contracts.

"I am not worried because I know that the club is doing their best to try to keep them," he added. 

"Hopefully we can have some good news about them very soon. They know my opinion on them and how much I like working with them, the intention that I have in the future with them. 

"I see them really committed and hopefully we can find the right agreement for both parties and move on, because I think there's a great future ahead of us with these kids."

The Gunners have been hampered by injuries throughout this season, and they have concerns over Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of Wednesday's match at the Emirates Stadium.

Fellow defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are already sidelined, while Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey also missed training on Tuesday.

Arsenal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, failing to make up ground on pacesetters Liverpool.

Arteta, though, says they cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves, telling reporters: "It is what it is. We need to accept the reality and move forward.

"We have to manage a lot of the players. Some of them probably aren’t going to be fit. Some are still a doubt. We have 24 hours to make decisions, hopefully the right ones."

In more positive news, Kieran Tierney – who is back in training after six months out with a hamstring injury – could make his first European appearance for Arsenal since November 2022, with Arteta pleased with the left-back's determination.

"He's ready and training really well and he's going to have an opportunity for sure, the way the team is looking at the moment," he said of Tierney, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad.

"He's going to do that for that reason and because he's earned it. The way he's behaved, the way he's been with us, he's willing to do it. When that happens you have to give opportunities to those kinds of players."

Arsenal are seventh in the Champions League standings, only ahead of Monaco – who began their campaign by upsetting Barcelona – by virtue of their superior goal difference.

"I'm really impressed. You see the run that they've been on in the Champions League. They're a real threat with a lot of qualities," Arteta said.

The Gunners took the lead in the first half when William Saliba headed in from Vieira's corner, only for their hosts to level in similar circumstances just past the half-hour mark at the Jose Alvalade.

Paulinho put Sporting in front after the break with a tap-in, but Hidemasa Morita's own goal seven minutes later ultimately secured Arsenal a draw to take back to Emirates Stadium for the return leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

The draw puts Arsenal – who have only lost at home twice all season – in a decent position ahead of the second leg, but Arteta feels they can do better, even considering the somewhat unfamiliar look to his starting XI.

"We are conceding too many simple goals," he told reporters.

"We spoke about the importance of boxes, especially in a competition where you're in or out. [On Thursday], we didn't defend that well enough, and we have to be better at threatening the opponents as well.

"But of course, you have an opponent there. We've played some really emotional games recently.

"We made a lot of changes and sometimes that takes time to get that cohesion, and you could feel it in the first 15 minutes that it needed some time to adapt and click.

"If we don't expose them, though, that's never going to happen."

He added: "When you concede two poor goals like we did away from home in Europe, it's very difficult to get a positive result.

"The game had different phases because we gave too many simple balls away in our own half and gave them the capacity to [exploit] transition moments, which they are good at.

"In other moments we had total control of the game and we lost a little bit of threat, especially with the four players we are missing in our frontline.

"There were some positives because we showed a lot of resilience to get back into the game, but we need to defend our box much better and be better on Sunday."

Vieira's performance was a surely one of those positives.

The Portugal international was given only his 13th start of the season, but his delivery for Saliba's opener was his sixth assist already – only Bukayo Saka (nine) has more for the Gunners this term, and he has played almost 1,600 minutes more than Vieira.

Arteta clearly values the former Porto midfielder.

"I'm really happy with him," he added. "I think he deserves more minutes than he's had, especially in the last two months.

"Obviously he had a difficult start because he was injured for two months after a surgery, and wasn't at the level that we want.

"You saw tonight he was probably our most dangerous player. He was always making things happen. He's a player that I absolutely love."

Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino were on target for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium but Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah both equalised to ensure Arne Slot's men would leave with a point.

There was a noticeable shift in momentum when Arsenal, already without the suspended William Saliba, lost Gabriel and Timber to injuries after the break.

Asked by Sky Sports for an update after the game, Arteta said: " Well I don't know exactly what happened (with Timber) but he said he cannot carry on and big Gabi as well, so I don't know."

Prompted on Gabriel specifically, he said: "I don't know."

Arteta felt his side were the better side even accounting for the injuries, adding: "Even with the changes I thought we were the better team, we deserved to win the game.

"But obviously we didn't so there are learnings to take from that especially when we concede both goals, the second one the transition moment, we ended up in the final third then 10 seconds later we are two-on-one in our box at this level against this team, obviously you cannot give this away."

Saka acknowledged that losing Gabriel was a momentum shifter in the game but said the incident cannot be used as an excuse by the Gunners, who are now five points off leaders Manchester City in third place.

"Yeah of course he's a big player for us, that's not an excuse we have to adapt and do our best whoever's on the pitch," he said.

"It's (the mood in the dressing room) a bit disappointed, credit to Liverpool they're a good team but we just felt like we didn't show our best selves for the full 90 minutes."

Saka had also missed the past two matches with injury and he was chomping at the bit to be involved.

"I hate missing games, it was really frustrating to be on the side watching, I just had this game on my mind. I was happy to be back out there today."

The Gunners produced one of their best performances of the season in a 5-1 thrashing of Sporting CP on Tuesday in the Champions League.

Arteta knows the challenge will be to continue that form in England's top division, where they sit fourth – trailing leaders Liverpool by some nine points.

"That's what we need to do. We need to find consistency," the Arsenal manager said. "You want to be challenging for the big things? You have to be consistent.

"Win and win again. [Sporting] was a very different game but we reacted really well, let's move on now."

West Ham delivered their best result of this campaign, too, in their last outing after a 2-0 away victory over Newcastle United on Monday.

That victory lifted the Hammers up to 14th in the table and somewhat eased the mounting pressure on Julen Lopetegui, who will be suspended on Saturday due to an accumulation of bookings this season.

"The only thing in our control is to play football, attack and defend well, and combine play better," Lopetegui said of the Newcastle win.

"We continue with this mentality. I am happy for the players because they can see we can do well as a team. I am happy for them."

On his ban, he added: "I am not happy. But more importantly, the players will be on the pitch. A win is always important. It shows we can compete and trust in ourselves."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Ham – Tomas Soucek

No player has scored more Premier League goals for West Ham this season than Tomas Soucek (three), who formed a dominant midfield duo with Carlos Soler on Monday at Newcastle.

Indeed, 17 of his last 18 strikes for the Hammers have either put them one goal ahead (12) or drawn them level (5) in the match.

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka

Only Mohamed Salah (16) has been involved in more Premier League goals this season than Arsenal’s in-form Bukayo Saka (12 – four goals, eight assists).

In fact, Saka – who found the net against Sporting on Tuesday – has both scored and assisted in three different games this top-flight term, with only Salah again doing so more (four).

MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN

Arsenal are the favourites heading into this London derby considering their recent head-to-head record against Saturday's hosts.

The Gunners have lost just one of their last 16 Premier League away games against West Ham (W10 D5), winning this exact fixture by a remarkable 6-0 scoreline last season.

West Ham have also lost more games in this competition overall (36) and at home (15) against Arsenal than they have versus any other opponent in the competition.

Their problems have not just come against Arsenal, too, given West Ham have lost their last two home London derbies in the top flight, going down 2-0 against Fulham and 3-0 against Chelsea.

That form in derby-day fixtures is in stark contrast to Arsenal, who have lost just two of their 26 Premier League matches against fellow London clubs since the start of the 2022-23 season (W18 D6).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

West Ham win – 18.5%
Draw – 20.3%
Arsenal win – 61.2%

Arsenal handed Ruben Amorim his first defeat as United boss on Wednesday, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba on target as both goals came from corners. 

The Gunners have utilised this weapon well under Arteta, scoring more goals from corners (22) than any other team in the Premier League since the start of last season. 

It was also the first time the Red Devils had conceded two goals in this manner since a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in 2014 (two), with Samuel Eto'o scoring both. 

After the match, former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov labelled Arsenal as the "new Stoke City", though Arteta took those comments as a compliment towards his side. 

"We want to be the kings of everything," Arteta said. 

"On set pieces, the best in the world; on high press, the best in the world; attacking in open spaces, the best in the world. Best atmosphere and stadium - the best at everything.

"Before, we didn't score enough, we didn't challenge, we didn't win big games for 20 years. We want to be the best at everything."

For the ultimate comparison, Stoke's Premier League ratio under former manager Tony Pulis was 43.1%, with 81 set-piece goals from a total of 188 goals.

Arsenal appointed Nicolas Jover as their set-piece coach in July 2021, with the Gunners scoring 26 goals from such routines in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season. 

Along with that, 16 of those goals came from corners, matching the all-time top-flight record set by Oldham Athletic in 1992-93 and West Brom in 2016-17. 

Arteta was asked when he realised the importance of set-pieces in the modern game, with the Arsenal boss citing his time at Everton as a player as to where that began. 

"Probably when I was a player, because I understood at Everton how important they were and how difficult it was for the opposition," Arteta added. 

When I came here as well, we had a period in some big matches where we suffered and were out. I went to City and immediately realised we had to do something about it.

Nwaneri struck either side of half-time in a game that saw the Gunners' youngsters star at the Emirates to help them advance to the fourth round of the EFL Cup. 

Jack Porter (16), Josh Nichols (18) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (18) also made their full debuts, while fellow teenagers Maldini Kacurri (18) and Ismeal Kabia (18) came off the bench to play their part. 

Goals from Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling - who scored his first Arsenal goal on his first start for the club - and Kai Havertz also contributed to the comfortable triumph. 

Arteta's side will face Preston North End in the next round, the stage they reached last season before being beaten 3-1 by West Ham at the London Stadium. 

But the Arsenal head coach was quick to laud his young players, particularly Nwaneri, who became the youngest player to appear in the Premier League against Brentford in 2022 at the age of 15 years and 181 days old. 

Now 17, Nwaneri has made four first-team appearances for the Gunners, with Arteta explaining that the teenager has surpassed his early expectations. 

"On the second one I was really happy for him because he scored. I'm very happy because I know the reaction of his teammates if he wouldn't," Arteta said. 

"So, I think overall, again, I think he was really good. I think it was a really strong performance for him. I think it really feels part of us.

"You can tell that he's playing with that confidence, that belief and the understanding of what he needs to do on the pitch.

“To start in the Premier League is another step. In his journey with the first team, he is always ahead of what everybody expected and I expected too.

"He deserves that, and he is part of us, so he will have the minutes. So, very impressed."

But it was also a positive night for one of Arsenal's senior players, with Sterling opening his account for his new club on his first start for the Gunners. 

Sterling contributed an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.85 to Arsenal's 3.03 total, with his three shots on target more than anyone for the hosts. 

With Arsenal's next assignment a home game against Leicester in the Premier League, Arteta believes Sterling is making the right steps in pushing for a first league start. 

"Yeah, it was very good. I think he's getting better and better. I think physically you can tell that he's making steps," Arteta continued. 

"The moment the game opened up a little bit, you know what he can do, how he can deliver. He was involved in a few goals, so a very positive night for him."

Pedro Neto slammed in from distance at Stamford Bridge, 10 minutes after Gabriel Martinelli had put the Gunners ahead.

Arsenal squandered a golden chance late on, when Leandro Trossard nudged wide from William Saliba's cross, leaving Arteta rolling on the touchline in frustration.

But Arteta, who believes Arsenal "dominated" Chelsea despite the Blues registering 17 shots and 1.28 expected goals (xG), singled out the defending for Neto's equaliser as particularly frustrating.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: "The disappointment of not getting three points is bigger [than being satisfied] and it will probably be bigger after watching it back.

"I think we dominated them, we were the better team in many phases and situations in the game and after going ahead, very disappointed in the way we conceded.

"It was so poor. It is not [at] our standards and we don't accept [it].

"It is a second phase set piece and we were disorganised. We didn't reorganise quickly enough and you can't allow the pass that way. You need the quality of Neto to do it but our standards were not good enough."

Arsenal have gone four consecutive Premier League games without a win for the first time since April 2023 (D2 L2); the Gunners had picked up all three points in 21 of their previous 25 league matches before this (D3 L1).

This was the fourth time that Arsenal have faced 15+ shots in a Premier League game this season, already twice as many times as they did so across the whole of the 2023-24 campaign (twice).

Arteta was at least buoyed by the return to fitness of Martin Odegaard, who assisted Martinelli on his first appearance since September. Declan Rice, who missed Wednesday's loss to Inter in the Champions League, also played despite injury concerns.

"[He] has been out for six weeks and barely trained with the team," Arteta said of Odegaard, who played the entire match.

"To be able to play at this level in the Premier League tells you how much he looks after himself and the leadership and character he has. Everything flows better with players like this. We clicked much better. You could see everything was flowing but again it is about winning.

"What we have found is that every day we have had to change something big, because we've had problem after problem.

"Normally the team goes down but this team has unbelievable energy and spirit to play."

The draw left Arsenal in fourth, nine points back from Premier League leaders Liverpool heading into the final international break of 2024.

The Gunners, who are third in the table and only behind Chelsea on goal difference, have momentum following their 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday, stretching their winning streak across all competitions to four matches.

Arsenal have bounced back brilliantly after a run of three matches without victory, though they were beaten 2-1 by Fulham in this fixture last season.

And Arteta is wary of the Cottagers as a result.

"We want to have the right to win games," the Spaniard said following the win over United. "If we perform the way we perform right now, we are going to win a lot of games.

"But now, it is about Fulham, we have to go there, and we know the experience of last season.

"We're going to have to prepare really well to earn the right to win there and continue to do that. The rest, we don't know.

"The will to win is there. We have won four in a row, but it doesn't matter. We have to go to Fulham now and be better than them to try to win the game.

"It's a crazy schedule, we're going to need everybody and, mentally, be very strong because you're going to have to go through those moments."

Fulham returned to winning ways on Thursday with a 3-1 victory over Brighton lifting them to sixth place.

Alex Iwobi scored a brace against the Seagulls - only his second double in 267 Premier League appearances - and the former Arsenal midfielder highlighted his desire to get on the scoresheet more often, ahead of facing his former club.

"We wanted to get a win on the board [against Brighton] after our last game against Spurs [1-1 draw]," he said. "[There is] no better place to do it than at our place.

"I should be getting more goals, but it was good to get them for the team.

"We see the ability [of the team] in training. This performance [against Brighton] gives us a boost going into Arsenal, who are on a good run at the moment."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham - Harry Wilson

The Wales international netted just once in his first 21 Premier League London derby appearances for Fulham.

However, he has scored three goals in his last three such matches, and he is one the Gunners have to keep an eye on.

Arsenal - Bukayo Saka

Saka has been involved in 14 goals in his last 14 London derby matches in the Premier League (seven goals, seven assists).

The England international's tally of 17 assists in such games is beaten only by Cesc Fabregas (24), Dennis Bergkamp (23) and Frank Lampard (18).

MATCH PREDICTION: ARSENAL WIN

Since losing 2-1 to Fulham in the corresponding match last season, Arsenal have won seven of their last eight Premier League London derbies.

After netting five times at West Ham last weekend, the Gunners have scored five or more goals in five different away matches in all competitions in 2024. They are aiming to become the first English top-flight side to do so six times in a single calendar year.

Arsenal have also found the net in each of their last 18 Premier League showdowns with Fulham, stretching back to a goalless draw in February 2009.

However, Fulham are unbeaten in their last eight league London derbies (W4 D4), their longest such run since a run of nine between February 2000 and September 2001, a streak that was ended by a 3-1 home loss to Arsenal.

Fulham boss Marco Silva has won four of his 10 previous meetings with Arsenal across all competitions (D1 L5) with each victory coming with a different team (Olympiakos, Watford, Everton, Fulham) – he could win back-to-back games against the Gunners for the first time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Fulham - 18.5%
Arsenal - 61.3%
Draw - 20.2%

That was after the 17-year-old midfielder played a starring role in his side's 3-0 victory away to Preston North End in the last 16 of the EFL Cup, curling in a wonderful effort for the second.

Nwaneri scored his first senior goals with a brace in the 5-1 win over League One Bolton in the previous round and looked in great shape again on Wednesday.

"He's a big talent, he's got the right attitude and he's got the right players and context around him," Arteta told BBC Sport.

"We need to make sure that we build brick by brick in the right tempo, in the right order, but we have some player there."

Nwaneri has already made four substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, having come off the bench against Tottenham, Leicester, Bournemouth and Liverpool.

In September 2022, meanwhile, he became the youngest player in history to feature in the Premier League after coming off the bench against Brentford at just 15 years and 181 days.

According to his manager, the pace of his further development will be down to him.

"He's going to really dictate how fast that's going to go, but I'm really happy with him," Arteta added.

"There's so much personality there. He wants to impose himself, he wants every ball, he wants to make things happen.

"He's very respectful, his work ethic is tremendous and he loves what he does, you can tell that. I think he is showing every day what he is capable of.

“You see his team-mates, they are giving him the ball all the time, that's a great sign. So we have some player there."

Saka was taken off in the 81st minute, having earlier received treatment on a problem with his leg, while Rice left the pitch 10 minutes earlier having been playing with a broken toe.

While their injuries represent a problem for Arteta, both Saka and Rice were included in the England squad to face Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

It could be a blow for England interim manager Lee Carsley, with Arteta doubtful they will be able to contribute.

"It doesn't look good because for two players of that importance to say they want to come off is unusual," Arteta told reporters after the match. "I don't expect them to be fit [for the international break] because if not, they don't come off."

Saka has already missed two games for Arsenal this season, having picked up an injury during the previous international break. The Gunners have had to deal with numerous injuries to key players, including that of Martin Odegaard, who made his first start for the club since August on Sunday.

"What I'm praying for is that after the international break, we have the team fully physically equipped, that they are available and that they are fit because it's been a nightmare for eight weeks," he added.

"Doubt after doubt, issue after issue, not only with the ones that are not able to play but with the ones who are able to play."