West Ham and Arsenal will both go into their upcoming showdown with an added layer of concern after the Premier League made an official announcement.
It may only be game week seven in the Premier League but the stakes are already ridiculously high for both West Ham and Arsenal.
The Hammers have beaten the Gunners at the Emirates the last two seasons running to derail their title ambitions.
Mikel Arteta has spent big to strengthen his squad to go one better this term and Arsenal look a serious threat to Liverpool’s hopes of retaining the title.
West Ham have very different problems.
So much riding on Arsenal vs West Ham just seven games in
After a terrible season where both Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter failed to inspire, Potter has been given the boot by the Hammers and replaced with Nuno Espirito Santo.
Avoiding relegation is the clear objective for Nuno after just one win from the opening six games of the campaign.
The Portuguese got things off to a positive start when he injected some much-needed fight and passion into the West Ham team as they drew 1-1 at Everton on Monday night.
Things don’t get any easier for West Ham, though, with Arsenal up next.
Certain things are inevitable in life. Death, taxes and West Ham conceding from corners.
The Irons made it eight for the season already in the draw at Everton – a new record for this stage of a Premier League season and well on course to break the unwanted season-long record of 16.
So the last thing Nuno and the Hammers need after taking a positive step forward is to face an Arsenal team dubbed ‘Set Piece FC’.
The Gunners are so good from set plays that West Ham should be worried.
With Liverpool losing to Palace and facing a tough trip to Chelsea this weekend, Arsenal will be looking to try and go into the international break top of the fledgling table.
West Ham and Arsenal will be worried by Premier League announcement
That would really set a marker down for the rest of the campaign.
West Ham meanwhile will be delighted if they can escape with a draw as the last thing Nuno will want is his players taking two steps back and dwelling on a hammering for two weeks.
With so much at stake already – and plenty of needle in the game – it will take a strong official to oversee the important clash.
But both Arteta and Nuno will be worried for very different reasons — and it could have a big say in how the clash plays out.
Arsenal will not want any mistakes which could end up costing them in what promises to be a tight title race.
Relegation could come down to fine margins too and West Ham have put themselves right in the mix.
Set-pieces are going to be key and Arsenal will undoubtedly target Alphonse Areola and the two centre-backs from every corner, free-kick and long throw.
So Nuno will want the referee to be strong on any obstruction of the goalkeeper and other little tricks.
On the flip side, Arteta will be hoping Brooks keeps an eye on holding in the box from West Ham defenders, something they have been playing a risky game with prior to Nuno’s arrival.
Because the Premier League have appointed a referee for the game who has not taken charge of a single top flight game this season.
Championship regular John Brooks has been confirmed as the referee for the Arsenal vs West Ham clash at the Emirates, it has been confirmed.
Arsenal vs West Ham is referee Brooks’ first Premier League game of the season
The Leicestershire-born official was promoted to Professional Game Match Officials Limited’s Select Group One four years ago.
Brooks has officiated in the Premier League over that time but this will be his first top level match of the season having only taken charge of two Championship and one Carabao Cup match so far.
The ref has taken charge of five Arsenal games and the same number of Hammers matches.
The Gunners have only won two of those matches, losing the other three. Brooks has dished out nine yellow cards in those Arsenal games and one penalty.
The Hammers have won two and drawn one of their games overseen by Brooks with 10 bookings, one red card and a penalty.
Michael Oliver will be on VAR duty for the game while Brooks will be assisted by Simon Bennett and Matthew Wilkes in north London.
