Premier League preview: Arsenal v West Ham

Arsenal will entertain West Ham United on Wednesday in a bid to stay in touch with those above them in the English Premier League.

Arsene Wenger’s side are sixth on the table, four points behind fifth-placed Everton and seven points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth.

Alarmingly for Wenger, Arsenal have taken just one point from their past three matches, with defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City on the back of a draw against lowly Southampton.

As a result, Arsenal are equal on points with Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion and only one point above ninth-placed Swansea City.

“There are a lot of teams that have got stronger this year, so we need to step on the gas,” midfielder Theo Walcott told the Arsenal website.

“We have a tough game at home against West Ham, so we need to be ready. It is a massive game, we have home support and we need to start clocking up points there.”

West Ham, who this week insisted Nicolas Anelka would not be joining the side in January, are 12th in the standings.

Former Chelsea and Real Madrid striker Anelka, however, would be a handy addition for West Ham, who have failed to score in seven of their past nine league matches against Arsenal.

West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers last time out, though manager Sam Allardyce remains confident in his squad.

“I’m frustrated that we didn’t clinch a win but in terms of our efforts to try and win I can’t ask for any more,” he said.

“Technically and tactically we did exceptionally well because we had the energy to do so. Unfortunately our final ability to score a chance is the one thing that’s lacking.”