Arsenal star Bukayo Saka appears to have let slip news of a major boost for West Ham ahead of the big London derby clash.
West Ham welcome league leaders Arsenal to the London Stadium for a huge clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners are chasing a shock Premier League title while West Ham – perhaps just as surprisingly – are battling against relegation.
The fact West Ham find themselves in the thick of of the battle for survival means the pressure is just as much on the hosts as it is Arsenal.
And given West Ham’s dismal record against the top sides over the last 15 months under David Moyes, that does not bode well.
If West Ham are to get a positive result from the game, keeping Declan Rice’s England teammate Bukayo Saka quiet will be key.
Arsenal’s ‘Starboy’ is justifying his moniker yet again this season as he leads the Gunners’ title charge.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka appears to let slip news of a major boost for West Ham ahead of big London derby clash
Another player who has been fundamental for the north Londoners is Oleksandr Zinchenko.
West Ham wanted to sign the Ukraine star. But he brought his title-winning class and mentality to Arsenal instead.
His incisive, high quality passing and leadership have been a huge difference for Mikel Arteta this season.
Now Arsenal star Saka appears to have let slip news of a major boost for West Ham ahead of the big London derby clash.
Cynics will say it won’t make a difference but Premier League games are often decided by fine margins
There have been doubts over Zinchenko’s availability for the game against the Hammers.
But ahead of the game, Saka has removed Zinchenko from his fantasy football team.
Premier League players’ FPL teams have been the source of some controversy. Pep Guardiola has been very outspoken on the matter in the past calling the involvement of players and staff at clubs ‘unethical’.
Arteta might have a stronger word for it if Zinchenko is out and he deems Saka’s slip to have given West Ham any sort of advantage.
In this instance it may well give Moyes a much clearer idea of how free-kicks and corners need to be defended and how Arsenal might set up. Or how the Hammers approach the match from an attacking sense and whether Jarrod Bowen comes inside or hugs the touchline.
Cynical West Ham fans will say it won’t make the blindest difference given the gulf between the two sides.
But these fine margins can often decide games at the top level.
We’ll find out soon enough.
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