West Ham face a stern test on Wednesday evening as they travel to face Champions League chasing Arsenal on the back of four consecutive Premier League defeats.
The Hammers’ loss of form has seen them slip to just six points above the relegation zone with just eight games to play and Slaven Bilic’s side still face huge tests between now and the end of the season.
Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will still have to be faced after the Arsenal clash, whilst the Hammers will be wary that Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Middlesbrough below them all have games in hand.
It’s crunch-time for the Hammers now and a visit to the Emirates Stadium isn’t want the troubled club would want to face on the back of their poor recent form – and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson doesn’t think things will get any easier.
“I like Slaven Bilic, I think he’s a good manager, but it’s just one of those seasons.”
“West Ham are struggling at the moment, and you’d expect Arsenal to win this game with the way the Hammers are playing.”
“The last 20 minutes against Man City for Arsenal was like an Emirates Cup game, like Austria v West Germany in the World Cup many years back. It was like: “That’s a draw, we’re both happy with that.” Neither side wanted to lose.”
“West Ham are struggling, so I’m going with Arsenal.”
The Hammers last beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on the opening day of last season but that victory was their only win in the last 18 clashes with the Gunners.
