Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, team news and updates asArsenal look to build on last week’s 3-1 win against Liverpool when they travel to West Ham at 2pm.
14:30, 28‘
Arsenal come close yet again…
It feels as though the visitors might make a breakthrough shortly, after Odegaard’s effort deflects just wide of the goal.
It was hard to tell where that one was going to end up, as it spun away from Areola – who had already committed to going to his right.
14:26, 23‘
Areola makes a stunning save!
Huge chance for the visitors but what a save from West Ham’s Areola! Trossard flicked a header over the bar from close range just moments before calling the goalkeeper into action with a fierce volley.
The Belgian’s effort looked destined to hit the net but the Hammers shotstopper produced a superb save to keep the score level.
14:20, 16‘
Kudus nearly taps home from close range
The Ghanaian very nearly swept the ball into the back of the net but is denied after some smart defender from Kiwior.
A swift counter-attack from the Hammers saw Kudus waiting for a cross at the far post but the Arsenal defender gets back just in time.
14:18, 14‘
Hammers battling back
After a strong opening 10 minutes from Arsenal, West Ham have begun to assert themselves in this match.
The Hammers are seeing a lot more of the ball but still need to work out how to feed Bowen, who looks up against it this afternoon.
West Ham booking
Edson Alvarez is booked for a foul on Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal getting into their rhythm…
While they’ve not created anything clear-cut yet, the Gunners are beginning to find their rhythm in these opening stages.
They’re dominating possession and just need to find a final ball to really cause the hosts some problems.
Quick start to the match
It’s only been a few minutes but already you get the sense this will be an exciting affair.
West Ham have already looked to break through the Arsenal defensive line twice, while Odegaard is looking to dictate attacks for the visitors.
KICK-OFF: West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
We’re underway at the London Stadium!
Five minutes until kick-off…
Not long until things get underway at the London Stadium, as both sides head back into the changing rooms after the warm-ups.
The Gunners opted to prepare in the ‘Arsenal x Ian Wright’ pre-match top which is certainly different to what we normally see.
Zouma: ‘We know they’re going to be prepared’
West Ham defender Kurt Zouma has admitted that today’s clash with the Gunners will be ‘tough’ for the Hammers.
‘Obviously, we play the game to win. Especially at home in a London derby, you want to provide for the fans and for ourselves.
‘This game is going to be different. We know they’re going to come prepared and we are prepared as well.
‘Hopefully, we get another win, but it’s going to be tough. We’re ready for it’.
The scene is set…
Warm-ups are underway…
We’re just 25 minutes away from kick-off and you can really feel the atmosphere building in the London Stadium.
With a lot at stake for both sides, the sun shining down and the fact it’s a London derby all coming into play… it’s fair to say we can expect a thriller this afternoon.
Liverpool fans believe that manager Jurgen Klopp mocked Arsenal with his celebrations after his team’s victory over Burnley.
Klopp’s side bounced back from their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal as they beat Burnley by the same scoreline on Saturday.
The Liverpool boss usually fist-pumps towards the Kop in celebration at the full-time whistle but on this occasion he elected to perform fist pumps to three sides of Anfield.
Click below to read more…
Merson: ‘Arsenal have got to keep winning!’
Ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson insisted that the Gunners have to keep winning ‘week in, week out’ to maintain their title charge.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: ‘Absolutely, otherwise last week goes out the window. You had a big advantage yesterday, Man City and Liverpool playing first, it puts the pressure on.
‘They have to win this game. They’ve got to keep winning week in, week out. This is a big football match today, no doubt.
Arteta: ‘Smith Rowe turned his ankle in training’
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Emile Smith Rowe has missed out on the match after picking up an ankle injury in training midweek.
He also revealed Jorginho, who excelled in the match against Liverpool, was ‘struggling’ after the game and so only makes the bench.
David Moyes urged Kalvin Phillips to get back to Declan Rice’s level as the two England midfielders meet at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Phillips, on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season, has struggled in his two West Ham appearances so far, after arriving with minimal first-team minutes under his belt.
Rice, who left for Arsenal in a club-record £105million move last summer, made his first return to his former club in a 3-1 League Cup defeat in November, and gave away a penalty in the Hammers’ 2-0 Premier League win at the Emirates in December.
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The visitors have arrived…
Arsenal will be looking to get vengeance on the Hammers after suffering defeat to them just two months ago, which sparked a dismal winter period.
They’ve since bounced back from that slup and have recorded three wins on the bounce, meaning they’ll be full of confidence heading into this clash.
LINE-UPS: West Ham vs Arsenal
West Ham XI: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Johnson, Ward-Prowse, Kudus; Bowen
The line-ups will be with us very shortly, ahead of this thrilling derby at the London Stadium.
The home fans are already begin to pile into the stadium, as they hope to see their team end their winless run that extends back into 2023.
Early arrivals at the London Stadium
The tale of the tape…
As it stands, the hosts sit eighth in the Premier League table but can go as his as sixth if they pick up three points this afternoon.
However, David Moyes’ side haven’t won a match since their 2-0 victory at the Emirates back in December – having drawn four and lost two since then.
The Gunners, meanwhile, are third in the table after beating Liverpool and currently sit five points behind Jurgen Klopp’s men.
A win today would bring them level with Manchester City, however the reigning champions have a significantly higher goal difference.
It’s fair to say that the last week has been dominated by discussions on Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s celebrations after beating Liverpool last Sunday.
The Gunners players and staff rejoiced on the pitch and in the changing rooms after the match, which many said they took too far.
Despite the debates, you can imagine that if the visitors pick up all three points this afternoon, we’ll be seeing plenty more jubilation from the Gunners squad.
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Good afternoon!
Welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog covering this afternoon’s London derby as West Ham prepare to host Arsenal at 2pm.
The Gunners will be looking to build on their victory over Liverpool last weekend, while the Hammers are hoping to bounce back from defeat against Man United.
We’ll have team news in just under half an hour and plenty more updates to come… so don’t go anywhere!
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