Five Reasons West Ham Can Beat Arsenal

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• Arsenal’s form really isn’t all that great.

Despite a high place in the league table, the North London club drew three straight games before beating Bournemouth last weekend, and just lost in the League Cup to Southampton. They have also struggled with teams that, on paper, they should have beaten. West Ham fans can find hope in the 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough and even in the 0-1 Arsenal win against Burnley. This team struggles against opponents that are lower than them in the table. A tough London derby is just the recipe for an Arsenal team to let off the gas and allow the Hammers to grab a win at home.

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• West Ham has something to prove.

Slaven Bilic seemed embarrassed by the team’s performance against Manchester United in the League Cup after drawing at Old Trafford only a few days before. While the draw against Manchester United in the Premier League was a valuable point, the League Cup was never a priority for the team and as soon as the result seemed out of reach, the players reacted accordingly. With West Ham on the wrong end of the table, a strong result at home is exactly what the team needs to prove that the draw against Manchester United last weekend wasn’t a fluke.

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• Now is the time for the players to put up or shut up.

The January transfer window is coming up and players will have to fight to keep their spots on the team. You can count on one hand the number of players that are untouchable at this point in the season, and with everyone from the keepers to the strikers having tough seasons, it stands to reason that many players might be coming and going in the next few weeks. The team has lots of players on the fringe of the first team, and a good performance might keep them in the side. Poor performances could lead players being sold in the window to trim the squad, so every player should know that any appearance could be their last for the club.

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• Fletcher will get a boost from scoring against Manchester United

Ashley Fletcher has gotten a great boost from scoring against his former club Manchester United on Wednesday, and looks to possibly get a good run in the squad. While West Ham have had problems at the back this year, unbelievably, only two goals have been scored by strikers all season for the Hammers. With Fletcher scoring one of those goals in the midweek, this could be all the young player needs to be inspired to play up to his potential.

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• Andy Carroll is back.

Reportedly, Andy Carroll is back to full fitness, and looks to play against Arsenal. Last year, Carroll destroyed the Gunners, and with him being out of action since August, he will have lots to prove and may pick up the Hammers and put them on his back and lead the Hammers to a famous win on the weekend.