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West Ham United vs Arsenal: Team news and what managers said
10th May, 2026 07:15 AM
After the jubilation of reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal turn attentions solely to their quest to claim the Premier League title, with the first of their final three fixtures seeing them head to West Ham United on Sunday, May 10, 2026, starting at 4:30 pm (UK time).
A giant step towards a first league championship in 22 years can be taken should the Gunners leave the London Stadium victorious, a venue where Mikel Arteta’s men have triumphed 5-2 and 6-0 on their past two visits, while Arsenal have lost just one of their last 17 away league games at the Hammers.
But Nuno Espirito Santo’s current side are battling hard to preserve their 14-year stay in the top-flight, and have not lost on their own turf since January 2026. The result of this game will have huge consequences at the top and bottom of the division, as the finishing line gets ever closer.
West Ham’s problems
It has been a season of two halves for West Ham, who swapped Graham Potter with Nuno Espirito Santo in September 2025. After three wins from their opening 21 games, a January 2026 recruitment drive saw £47 million spent on attacking midfielder Pablo and striker Taty Castellanos, plus Chelsea defender Axel Disasi joined on loan.
The reshuffle has paid dividends, with 19 points claimed from their last 13 games, helping them unroot themselves from the relegation zone during April 2026. However, last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Brentford saw them leapfrogged by Tottenham Hotspur as the duo embark on what looks like a straight shootout to avoid Championship football next season.
Despite that reverse last week, the Hammers are unbeaten in their last six home matches stretching back to January 2026. They held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at home in March 2026, and are seeking three home wins in a row after recent successes against Wolves and Everton.
What managers said
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal: “We’ll have time to prepare and get ready for the final, but now the focus, the attention, the detail, the energy, everything has to be put into West Ham. There is nothing else there, and we made it very clear. We need to stay present, live the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we’ve shown all season, or more, because we are closer and closer. Everything that we do now is going to matter to win it or not.”
Nuno, West Ham: “I think they need confidence, especially the players in our frontline. Things will change. Sunday is the day. We’ve been working well; committed and focused. We realise the importance [of the game]. We are getting ready. We are going to be ready. Being at home is good for us, especially recently. Our fans are being really, really helpful. It’s always nervy; especially in the final games of the season, there is always anxiety. It’s up to us to try and control our nerves and deliver what we want.”
Team news
After Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz returned to the matchday squad in midweek, Arsenal’s only injury concerns surround Jurrien Timber, who continues to rehab a groin injury sustained against Everton six weeks ago, and Mikel Merino, who has been out since January 2026 after foot surgery.
Incredibly, at this stage of the season, Nuno has virtually a fully fit squad to pick from, with only former Gunner and third-choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski unavailable with a back injury.
