West Ham vs. Arsenal Preview

Sam Allardyce will be deciding today whether or not Andy Carroll is fit enough to start against Arsenal on Saturday. Carroll returned from a hamstring problem in West Ham's win at QPR on Monday but he is short of match fitness and Allardyce is nervous about exposing him to further injury risk.

Arsene Wenger howver will be hoping that defender Per Mertesacker will be available after a virus. If so, the Carroll-Mertesacker battle could be a very interesting one to watch. 

West Ham will also expect Winston Reid to have recovered in time for the match, after he was accidentally knocked unconscious by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen on Monday. However there will be more concerns over full back Joey O'Brien who pulled a hamstring early in the first half against QPR. George McCartney and Matt Taylor will be waiting in the wings to replace him at left back. Jack Collison and Alou Diarra are still out with long term injuries.

Likely West Ham First 11: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, McCartney, Diame, Nolan, Noble, Vaz Te, Carroll, Jarvis

Subs: Henderson, Tomkins, Taylor, Benayoun, O'Neil, Maiga, Cole

The Facts:

• West Ham have won both of their games against London opposition so far this term, defeating Fulham 3-0 and QPR 2-1.
• The Hammers have picked up more bookings (15) than any other side in the Premier League so far this season. 
• Carlton Cole is two appearances away from the 300th of his career.
• West Ham have not beaten their north London opponents since April 2007, losing seven of their nine meetings since. 
• Arsenal lost five of their 10 domestic games after Champions League ties last season, also going down to defeat in each of their away games following continental competition.
• Arsene Wenger is into his 17th year as the Gunners' manager after celebrating the 16th anniversary of his appointment last Sunday.
• If Arsenal are victorious, it would represent the 350th win of Wenger's reign.
• The Gunners have the joint-best (with Chelsea) defensive record on their travels in the Premier League, having conceded just once on the road so far this term. 

My prediction: West Ham's recent home form, plus the inclusion of Andy Carroll and Winston Reid, may just be enough to snatch a point from the Gunners.

West Ham 1 Arsenal 1