Though Mikel Arteta opted to focus on West Ham United’s appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo, and the impact he will have post-Graham Potter, the Arsenal boss will not need any warning about Saturday’s dangermen.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta knows a fast start could be crucial as Arsenal look to emerge victorious against ‘top manager’ Nuno at the Emirates Stadium.
The Spaniard is still stinging from successive home defeats against this weekend’s opponents. The latter a rare bright spot in the otherwise gloomy Potter era.
And while West Ham United are clear underdogs against a team who have failed to beat only Liverpool and Manchester City so far in 2025/26, Monday’s 1-1 draw at Everton demonstrated the new-found solidity and occasional verve of Nuno Espirito Santo’s outfit.
Comfortably their most complete performance of the season. Yet, a point rescued by the most familiar of faces. Nuno feels a Jarrod Bowen-inspired West Ham can never be written off.
With Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville starting the season strongly and the electrifying El Hadji Malick Diouf going from strength to strength, for all of Arsenal’s threat at set-pieces, the prospect of the Hammers hitting their hosts on the break is likely to give Arteta a few pre-match flutters.
Arsenal reporter wary of ‘incredible’ Malick Diouf ahead of West Ham United visit
Nuno enjoyed huge success with Nottingham Forest while constructing a team upon a solid low-block and rapid transitions, making the most of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi’s pace alongside a pair of energetic full-backs.
The way West Ham drew level at the Hill Dickinson Stadium certainly had shades of Nuno’s Europa League-qualifying Forest.
Malick Diouf channelled his inner Gareth Bale as he charged from the edge of his own box to within touching distance of Everton’s penalty area. Diouf then produced an ‘extraordinary’ cross, one which Bowen converted despite Michael Keane’s best efforts.
Against an Arsenal team expected to keep possession and push their backline up the pitch, opportunities for another breakneck transition should present themselves this weekend.
“Nuno’s long-term philosophy is built around being defensively compact, sitting deep, and launching fast, direct breakaways,” former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke writes in the Gunners’ official matchday programme, via their official website.
“Examining the attributes of the players he has inherited, it seems likely that West Ham will play in a similar manner under his supervision.
“The Hammers have speed and ball-carrying prowess out wide via Bowen and Crysencio Summerville. Inside them, the creative Lucas Paqueta and Matheus Fernandes also have the ability to unlock any defence.
“In El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters, they have full-backs who can impact matches inside the final third with intermittent overlaps. Left-back Diouf has been eye-catching, displaying incredible pace and top-class crossing ability.”
Diouf outshone Bukayo Saka when Senegal beat England
Diouf has the most assists of any full-back in Europe’s top five leagues heading into the weekend.
With three from six starts – he was denied a fourth against Everton due to Keane’s touch before Bowen’s rasping finish – the £19 million Senegal international will have to showcase another side of his game this weekend.
Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka has four goals and six assists in his last seven Premier League meetings with the Hammers.
But after Diouf shut down Saka when Senegal stunned England at Nottingham back in June, the former Slavia Prague sensation will need to be at the top of his game at both ends of the pitch if he is to silence the Gunners winger while also posing a threat on the counter.
