Mikel Arteta is urging Arsenal to find consistency as they prepare for their crucial Premier League match against West Ham on Saturday. The Gunners are coming off an impressive 5-1 victory over Sporting CP in the Champions League, a performance that has lifted their confidence ahead of this weekend's derby. However, Arteta is keen to ensure that the team's strong European form translates into consistent results in the league, where they currently sit fourth, nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
"We need to find consistency," Arteta said in his pre-match comments. "To challenge for the big things, you have to be consistent. It's about winning and winning again. We need to show that level of performance week in, week out."
Arsenal's form has been somewhat erratic in the Premier League this season, with several notable wins but also frustrating losses that have put them in a difficult position in the title race. With West Ham's visit coming at a crucial time, Arteta understands the importance of building momentum to stay in contention for a top-four finish.
West Ham, on the other hand, come into this match with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United, which has lifted them to 14th place in the standings. The victory came as a much-needed boost for manager Julen Lopetegui, who will be absent from the touchline on Saturday due to a suspension from accumulated bookings. Despite the absence of Lopetegui, West Ham will be feeling confident, especially after Tomas Soucek's dominant performances. The Czech midfielder has been a key figure for the Hammers this season, scoring three Premier League goals so far, with 17 of his last 18 goals directly influencing the result.
West Ham's recent form has been mixed, but their win against Newcastle will provide confidence that they can challenge Arsenal, especially at home. However, Arsenal have been strong in recent away fixtures and boast a solid record against West Ham, having lost just one of their last 16 league encounters away to the Hammers. In fact, Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over West Ham last season is still fresh in the memory of fans, and they have historically dominated their London rivals.
Arsenal have also been particularly effective in London derbies, losing just two of their last 26 league matches against fellow capital clubs, dating back to the start of the 2022-23 season. This makes them the clear favorites heading into the weekend's encounter, despite the unpredictability of derby matches.
West Ham will be without their manager, but they will be buoyed by Soucek’s leadership and the recent good form of other key players such as Carlos Soler. Arsenal, however, will be looking to their own stars to make the difference, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus expected to lead the charge. The Gunners will also be hoping that Arteta’s emphasis on consistency will ensure they take all three points from this London derby and close the gap to the top of the table.
As both teams prepare for Saturday’s showdown, the match promises to be a crucial one for both sides. Arsenal will be keen to maintain their momentum and stay in the race for a top-four finish, while West Ham will be determined to continue their climb away from the relegation zone. For Arsenal, it’s all about showing that their European form can be replicated domestically, and for Arteta, finding that elusive consistency will be key to making a serious challenge in the Premier League.
