A counter-attacking gameplan is never the worst idea for a West Ham United side travelling to the home of a Premier League title-challenger.
But, as Arsenal cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over the Hammers in October, a chronic lack of pace or pressing in Nuno Espirito Santo’s side greatly hampered their ability to soak up the pressure and spring quickly.
Nuno has masterminded some of the biggest shock wins in recent Premier League history. Now reunited with his old boss at West Ham United, Adama Traore famously scored a brace at Manchester City during a 2-0 Wolves victory at the Etihad.
If we are to get a RESULT vs Arsenal, how do you think we’d do it? 🧐
His Nottingham Forest side were the only team to beat Liverpool at Anfield during their title triumph of 2025/26.
When it comes to setting up a team to defend deep and flood forwards in transition, there are few better than Nuno. Looking back at the team he deployed at the Emirates seven months ago, however, it is easy to see why there was never really any chance of a performance to rival that of Wolves at the Etihad or Forest on Merseyside.
West Ham United could not execute Nuno Espirito Santo’s gameplan at Arsenal
Niclas Fullkrug was, typically, anonymous up top. Lucas Paqueta, for all his qualities, has never been particularly quick. And Crysencio Summerville, in the middle of a 14-month goal drought, still had a very unhelpful habit of squandering counter-attacks by darting down more blind alleys than a delivery driver with a wonky sat-nav.
As Mikel Arteta prepares to take his Arsenal side to the London Stadium on Sunday, though, West Ham at least appear somewhat better suited to Nuno’s low-block, quick-burst gameplan.
Taty Castellanos is far quicker across the ground than Fullkrug, and more adept when it comes to pressing from the front. Faith is rapidly draining in Pablo Felipe. But, for all his faults, the January signing does possess the ability to win the ball back high and disrupt the rhythm of the opposition.
Arteta credited Martin Zubimendi for breaking down the massed ranks of West Ham defenders at the Emirates. His piercing through ball created the opening for Declan Rice’s opener that day. This time around, Nuno has two centre-forwards – Castellanos and Pablo – who would be more than happy to stick to Zubimendi like glue while attempting to force mistakes from their two ball-playing central defenders.
Crysencio Summerville will be crucial against the Gunners
Imaging you’re in Nuno’s shoes; Who are you bringing in to face Arsenal? 👞
Summerville is yet to rediscover his pre-injury ruthless streak. But, compared to the October vintage, this version is more decisive, dynamic, and occasionally deadly. In short, you would back him to make the right decision these days.
With opportunities likely to be at a premium against Arsenal, Summerville’s new-found focus in the final third could conceivably be the difference between a shock result and a potentially relegation-securing loss.
And then there is the jet-heeled joker up Nuno’s sleeve. Adama Traore has only played around 120 minutes of league football since joining from Fulham. Yet, Traore is tailor-made for occasions such as this. Wind him up and watch him go.
There may even be an argument that Traore could be utilised as a right-wing back against Arsenal, with Jarrod Bowen tucked in behind Castellanos.
West Ham are still considerable underdogs going into Sunday’s fixture. But, with greater pace and energy in the frontline, there is at least some hope of a famous win which would see Nuno add another sizeable scalp to his collection.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
