MIKEL ARTETA AIMS TO BANISH WEST HAM'S HAUNTING HOME RECORD
Mikel Arteta's 300th game in charge. Can the Gunners end West Ham's winning streak at home?
Mikel Arteta is desperate to keep West Ham from winning three straight games at home when he takes control of Arsenal in his 300th game on Saturday.
The previous two seasons have seen Arsenal's title dreams dealt a crushing blow by their London rivals.
The north London team may take the lead in the standings, at least for a few hours, before Liverpool, the current leaders, play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Arteta acknowledges that his iconic game against West Ham, who are currently led by Nuno Espirito Santo, is crucial to his team's hopes of winning the championship.
"That's what we want, to continue to play and flow and dominate games in the manner that we are doing," Arteta stated as his squad enters the match fresh off historic victories against Newcastle and Olympiacos in the Champions League.
"It will be a crucial fixture. We also learnt in the previous two seasons that we need to make up for our two losses to them here, and tomorrow is another chance to do so.
We'll have to play against a new manager, and we're familiar with Nuno's style of squad setup.
"Creating momentum is the key. The game tomorrow is a crucial one for us, and there are crucial times in the season.
"That's why from the beginning we need to generate that and go for it, because after we have a two-week break with the international week."
Arteta advances to his triple century with the best victory percentage of any Arsenal manager, 58%.
However, the Spaniard has yet to equal the prize collections of forebears like George Graham and Arsene Wenger.
"Even with that winning rate, we haven't won major trophies," he said. That tells you the level, then.
You must thus follow the previous steps, although at this stage they are insufficient.
"It is far more challenging and requires a lot more work. We attempt to concentrate on achieving that. "Winning on Saturday is the goal, and things will fall into place."
After Gabriel Magalhães left the game against Olympiacos in the middle of the week due to a minor injury, Arsenal will check on him.
Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Noni Madueke continue to be chronic absentees.
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The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
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