Barclays Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Saturday, 20 March 2010 Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary BBC London DAB, DSAT & Online; BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day. Live on ESPN
TEAM NEWS
**Arsenal will welcome back captain Cesc Fabregas for the visit of West Ham following the midfielder’s return to training this week.**Alex Song will be available after suspension and Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky is also set to return.
West Ham duo Herita Ilunga (tendon) and Mark Noble (arm) returned to training this week and could be in line for a recall at Arsenal.
Fit-again Benni McCarthy and Guillermo Franco also hope to be involved.
Arsenal
Injured: Djourou (knee), Gallas (calf), Gibbs (foot), Ramsey (leg), Van Persie (ankle)
West Ham
**Suspended: **Da Costa (two matches)
Doubtful: Ilunga (tendon), Noble (arm)
Injured: Boa Morte & Hines (both knee), Faubert (hamstring)
MATCH PREVIEW
Arsenal’s title credentials have been written off more times than the Comeback Kid, but Arsene Wenger’s side will go top of the league - for a day at least - if they beat lowly West Ham on Saturday.
“With eight games - four at home, four away - left, we are still in the race, so let’s have a go”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
An uncanny knack of scoring last-minute goals - five in their last four league outings - has helped transform the Gunners from title also-rans to Sir Alex Ferguson’s tip as the biggest threat to Manchester United’s crown.
The Premier League’s top scorers go into Saturday’s game chasing a sixth successive win and boasting the best home record in the top flight.
West Ham head to North London in search of only their second Premier League away win of the season. Gianfranco Zola’s struggling side hover just three points above the drop zone and are winless in their last three.
The Hammers were the first side to defeat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, a 1-0 success in April 2007, but have failed to win any of their last nine Premier League London derbies.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• This is the 123rd meeting between these sides. Arsenal have won 51 to West Ham’s 33.
• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five league matches against West Ham, although the last two were draws.
606: DEBATE
Have your say on this match
Arsenal
• The Gunners are looking for their sixth consecutive Premier League win.
• Their tally of 71 league goals this season is the highest in the top flight.
• In their last four league matches, Arsenal have scored five goals in or after the 90th minute.
West Ham
• West Ham have not won any of their last nine Premier League London derbies.
• The Hammers haven’t won a league game away from home since the opening day of the season.
• They last came from behind to win a league match in December 2008, beating Stoke 2-1.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Arsenal
Fabregas: 17 goals (14 league);
Arshavin: 11 goals (9 league)
West Ham
Cole: 9 goals (9 league); Diamanti: 8 goals (7 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant referees: Phil Sharp & Peter Kirkup
Fourth official: Lee Probert
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
**Arsenal **(W2-1 v Hull, a): Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Vermaelen, Clichy, Denilson, Diaby, Eboue (Walcott 65), Nasri (Eduardo 76), Arshavin, Bendtner. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Silvestre, Traore, Merida, Eastmond.
**West Ham **(L1-4 v Chelsea, a): Green, Spector, Upson, Gabbidon, Daprela, Ilan (Diamanti 83), Parker, Kovac, Behrami, Dyer (Stanislas 68), Mido (Cole 67). Subs Not Used: Stech, McCarthy, Tomkins, Collison.
MOST RECENT MEETING
FA Cup third round:
West Ham 1-2 Arsenal (3 January 2010)](http://www.paklinks.com/sport2/low/football/fa_cup/8433917.stm)
West Ham scorer: Diamanti 45
Arsenal scorers: Ramsey 78, Eduardo 83