01 May 2022, 14:00
It’s always been said that football results are notoriously hard to predict because a lot of the time they simply don’t make much sense. Ask any Arsenal fan looking back at games over the previous few weeks, and they’ll tell you this better than anyone.
From a worrying dip to miraculous highs
Having seen their club go from three consecutive losses against teams they should have beaten to then notch impressive wins against Chelsea and Manchester United, Gunners fans have been through a wide range of emotions recently. They come into this game against West Ham somehow still in the driving seat for a top four finish, having thought they’d handed control over to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Thankfully for Arsenal, Tottenham themselves have struggled to find consistency and a recent loss to Brighton similarly put a dent in their hopes when they had been looking stronger in recent weeks. Considering Arsenal’s confidence coming off the back of arguably their two most impressive wins of the season, it may be the perfect time for them to play another strong team in West Ham; a club that may have one eye on an upcoming Europa League semi-final.
Young players learning harsh lessons – and bouncing back
Losing three games they were expected to win could be a blessing in disguise for Arsenal’s squad – still the average youngest in the league – as they hope to grow into a force that can challenge for more than just a top four place next season. Bukayo Saka is a slight concern for this game having limped off against Manchester United, but manager Mikel Arteta is hoping to have him back to fitness as soon as possible.
Saka scored in both of those recent important wins, while Emile Smith Rowe got another goal to add his season’s tally against Chelsea and even former captain Granit Xhaka won his way back into fans’ hearts with the third against Manchester United. Suddenly things are starting to look rosy again at the Emirates – but they must remember there is still more work to be done before the end of the season.