Premier League: West Ham v Arsenal match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Upton Park

(GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal have been struggling with aerial balls into the box of late, conceding their last four goals in this fashion, and find themselves up against Big Sam’s promoted West Ham side who will, no doubt, be putting in high balls aplenty to unsettle the Gunners’ back line.

Arsene Wenger's would-be title challengers suffered their first defeat of the league season last weekend, going down 2-1 at home to Chelsea but his side bounced back on Wednesday with a 3-1 win against Olympiakos in the Champions League.

The Hammers, meanwhile, have not been beaten in their last four Premier League matches and they can extend that to five if they manage to get a result against Arsenal on Saturday.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

West Ham 0 Arsenal 3 (Van Persie 2, Walcott), Premier League, January 2011

Arsenal 1 (Song) West Ham 0, Premier League, October 2010

Arsenal 2 (Denilson, Fabregas) West Ham 0, Premier League, March 2010

STATS...

Arsenal lost five of their 10 domestic games after Champions League ties last season, also going down to defeat in each of their away games following continental competition.

West Ham have won both of their games against London opposition so far this term, defeating Fulham 3-0 and QPR 2-1.

The Gunners have the joint-best (with Chelsea) defensive record on their travels in the Premier League, having conceded just once on the road so far this term.

West Ham have not beaten their north London opponents since April 2007, losing seven of their nine meetings since.

ODDS...

West Ham to win: 3.90

Arsenal to win: 1.95

Draw: 3.50

TV: Live on ESPN at 5.30pm and highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm