Paul Merson has predicted that Arsenal will overcome West Ham on Wednesday evening as the Hammers look to win two games on the trot for the first time this season.
David Moyes secured his first win as West Ham manager last time out against Chelsea, with an early goal from record signing Marko Arnautovic securing a 1-0 win over the defending champions.
West Ham remain in the bottom three after that win, now level on points with West Brom in 18th, and one behind Crystal Palace who climbed out of the drop zone with a dramatic 2-1 win over Watford on Wednesday.
The Hammers have a horrific record against their neighbours to the north, having won just once in their last 18 Premier League meetings.
And Merson thinks that the Hammers will continue this poor record and remain in the bottom three after Wednesday’s fixture, predicting a 3-1 away win for the Gunners.
In his predictions on Sky Sports, Merson said: “West Ham are a bag of revels. I watched them play at Everton, and they were absolutely slaughtered. They were so poor. They then could have got a result at Man City, then they beat Chelsea.
“I still think Arsenal will win this, because Arsenal do have joy at West Ham, and they put so much into that win over Chelsea they might not have much left in the tank.”
OPINION
West Ham’s win over Chelsea was probably the most unpredictable result of the season so far. Chelsea were in good form coming in, and have recovered well with a win over Huddersfield on Tuesday. West Ham were in disarray and Moyes had yet to secure three points in charge. However, record signing Arnautovic stepped up at the right time to give them a vital win. That win is even more important considering the run of games they are currently in, with a win over Arsenal unlikely.