West Ham United have hope in Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal, according to leading pundit Gary Neville.
While West Ham are edging closer towards relegation, Neville does not believe the result of Sunday’s clash against the Gunners is a foregone conclusion.
What a sorry old mess 😪 How have we let it slip AGAIN?!
Though many will be tipping a Premier League title-chasing Arsenal to beat West Ham at the London Stadium, Neville does not sound so sure.
Neville has personal experience of West Ham denting title dreams ahead of Arsenal clash
Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville said: “I think the game that Arsenal are most likely to drop points in, I’m doing the game next Sunday, you’ll be doing it as well I’m sure [to Peter Drury], that’s the game I fear most – West Ham.”
A pensive looking Neville added: “Yeah, it’s a horrible [one]. I mean, I’ve got my own personal experience down at West Ham near the end of a season.”
He went on to say while looking as if unhappy memories of Manchester United’s draw away at West Ham that denied them the title in 1995 were resurfacing: “I just think West Ham, it’s something. They’re fighting for their lives, they need points.
Naturally, West Ham fans are pessimistic about their Premier League survival chances right now.
Still, West Ham have broadly been strong at home in recent weeks. Indeed, the last time they lost a Premier League game at the London Stadium was back in early January.
How do you FEEL about West Ham wanting to keep Nuno next season? 😳
Suggesting the London Stadium is now a fortress would, of course, be unwise. It is worth mentioning, however, that Bournemouth, Manchester United, Manchester City and Everton have failed to win there in recent months.
Arsenal’s recent record at the London Stadium
The bad news is that Arsenal have scored at least five goals on their last two visits to east London.
They have come in 5-2 and 6-0 wins over the last two seasons respectively, so the most recent omens aren’t all promising.
Still, West Ham do have history in denting their title hopes. Back in 2023, the Hammers fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.
The Irons have recorded just one Premier League win against their London rivals at the venue.
They have lost five of their nine league meetings in east London, while drawing the other three.
It has not been an easy fixture for West Ham over the years but they simply have to find something on Sunday.
If they don’t, relegation goes from looking likely to appearing like a nailed-on certainty.
This really is time to step up.
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