A short trek across the capital awaits Premier League challengers Arsenal on Sunday, as the Gunners seek revenge over London rivals West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's men added another twist to the title tale with a 3-1 beating of leaders Liverpool last weekend, whereas the Irons succumbed to Manchester United's superiority in a 3-0 defeat.
Match preview
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Subjected to another rude awakening upon his return to one of his former clubs, West Ham boss David Moyes cut a gloomy figure as Man United put three past West Ham without reply last Sunday, where the Red Devils' stars of tomorrow stole the spotlight.
A clinical Rasmus Hojlund finish preceded two efforts from South American starlet Alejandro Garnacho at the Theatre of Dreams, although West Ham were not without their moments in Manchester, leaving Moyes to profess that the 3-0 scoreline "flattered" his old employers.
Regardless, a sixth match on the bounce without a win for the Irons - who are yet to triumph in any tournament since the turn of the year - saw Moyes's men drop below Man United into seventh place in the table, albeit with just a two-point gap to make up to the Red Devils.
However, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion could both force the Hammers out of the European positions with triumphs in their Saturday affairs, but a return to home comforts gives the Europa Conference League holders reason for optimism, as they have not lost any of their last six Premier League games at the London Stadium.
Only Manchester City and Everton have left West Ham's turf with three points in the bag so far this season, but not since their days at Upton Park in the 2015-16 campaign - when Slaven Bilic was at the helm - have the hosts strung together a seven-match unbeaten home run in the Premier League.
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The third time is often the charm, and it certainly was for Mikel Arteta's ruthless Arsenal against Liverpool last Sunday, as the Gunners erased painful memories of their FA Cup loss to the Reds and throwing away a one-goal lead to draw at Anfield just before Christmas.
The Emirates extravaganza pitted the two meanest rearguards in the division against one another, but both sides swapped their previous defensive diligence for penalty-box blunders, as Gabriel Magalhaes firstly netted a comical own goal to bring Liverpool level after Bukayo Saka's opener.
However, Gabriel's howler soon paled into insignificance, as a shocking mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker presented Gabriel Martinelli with an empty net, before the latter failed to keep his legs closed at his near post, and Leandro Trossard took full advantage to rubber-stamp a glorious Gunners success.
After experiencing a run of just one win from seven games for the first time in the Emirates hotseat, Arteta's Arsenal renaissance has seen the Gunners march to three successive top-flight victories to move to within two points of Liverpool, although Manchester City - who kick off against Everton on Saturday lunchtime - are still ahead on goal difference for the time being.
The North London titans must channel their third-time charm once again this weekend if they are to conquer their capital foes, though, as West Ham's most recent win in any competition was their 2-0 Emirates beating just after Christmas, prior to which they also extinguished Arsenal's chances of EFL Cup glory with a 3-1 London Stadium victory.
Team News
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An unwanted alteration had to be made on West Ham's end during the loss to Man United, as goalkeeper Alphonse Areola handed the gloves over to former Arsenal FA Cup winner Lukasz Fabianski for the second half due to a head injury, which he sustained in a collision with Kurt Zouma.
However, Moyes affirmed after the game that the Frenchman's withdrawal was merely a precaution, and he should be fine to guard the sticks in the London derby, but Lucas Paqueta (calf) and Michail Antonio (knee) will not take part.
Moyes was able to reflect on the positives of his side's performance at Old Trafford and should therefore keep changes - if any - to a minimum, thus forcing Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips to try to make an impact from the bench after a difficult start to life in an Irons jersey.
As for Arsenal, the Gunners produced a dominant display against Liverpool even without the services of Gabriel Jesus, whose knee is giving him grief yet again, although Arteta expressed hope that the Brazilian's latest problem would not sideline him for more than a few days.
The perennially-targeted Bukayo Saka should also shake off a kick to the ankle to make himself available, but Oleksandr Zinchenko came off at half time against the Reds with another calf injury, so Takehiro Tomiyasu - back from the Asian Cup and set to sign a new contract - is primed to return at left-back.
Thomas Partey (thigh), Jurrien Timber (ACL) and Fabio Vieira (groin) represent Arsenal's three long-term absentees, and by virtue of his man-of-the-match display against Liverpool, Jorginho has done all that he can to reprise his midfield role with ex-Hammer Declan Rice.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Johnson, Ward-Prowse, Kudus; Bowen
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
We say: West Ham United 1-2 Arsenal
As much as Arsenal deserved to defeat the Premier League leaders last weekend, they were aided by some uncharacteristic defensive blunders from their visitors, and not since November have they managed to keep a clean sheet away from home in all competitions.
Furthermore, West Ham have had Arsenal's number so far this season and are seldom outclassed at the London Stadium, but the rejuvenated Gunners have found the killer instinct that eluded them in December's home loss to the Irons, so a measure of vengeance - and a fourth successive win - should be theirs on Sunday.
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