West Ham United

West Ham may have had a poor start to the season, but they are chasing a third straight victory over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. BBC Sport explores some of the key themes before Saturday's match.

Arsenal have only lost four of their past 42 home Premier League matches, but half of those have been inflicted by West Ham on their past two visits.

The Hammers are now looking to become only the second side to win three successive Premier League away games against the Gunners after Manchester City managed six from March 2018 to February 2023 - while Arsenal have won only two of their past six against their east London rivals, albeit 6-0 and 5-2 victories at London Stadium.

Both clubs have suffered vastly differing starts to the season. Arsenal's only defeat in nine matches was a narrow loss at Liverpool and they secured another victory against Olympiakos in midweek to make it two from two in the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta, who will be taking charge of his 300th Gunners game, made six changes from the side that beat Newcastle as he again showcased the squad depth he now has at his disposal.

Beleaguered West Ham began life under Nuno Espirito Santo with a creditable draw at Everton on Monday, despite their new boss having just two training sessions with his players. It was their first point in the Premier League since the end of August.

Despite a tumultuous run under Graham Potter, the Hammers have actually only lost one of their past five Premier League away games (W3, D1) and their last 10 top-flight points have all come on the road.

Much of the tactical battle in this fixture is expected to come down to corners as Arsenal, the set-piece kings, face the team that concede the most.

Nine of the Gunners' past 14 Premier League goals have been scored via seven corners, one free-kick and one penalty, and the record of Arteta's side stands alongside the past masters of the set-piece in Tony Pulis and Sean Dyche.

These stats must give West Ham fans sleepless nights given their well-documented struggles with corners this season, having let in eight, five more than any other top-flight club.

To further emphasis the gulf between these London rivals, Arsenal are undefeated in 31 of their past 34 league matches - and in that same period of games West Ham have lost exactly half their top-flight fixtures.

Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the upcoming international break.

The Three Lions face Wales in a friendly on 9 October, before a World Cup qualifier against Latvia on 14 October.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer is absent after suffering an injury, while there is no place for Manchester City's Phil Foden or Jack Grealish, who is on loan at Everton from City.

Dan Roan
Sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

A decision on whether to scrap the Premier League's controversial Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and adopt an "alternative system" is "coming up", says chief executive Richard Masters.

The current regulations, introduced in 2015-16 to prevent clubs from overspending, allow losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle.

However, they have been criticised by several top-flight teams for limiting their ability to invest.

BBC Sport has been told a decision on any changes is likely to be made at a meeting in November.

In February, clubs chose to continue with PSR for the current season.

However a squad cost ratio (SCR) system of financial control was adopted by the Premier League on a shadowing, non-binding basis.

SCR is similar to Uefa's existing financial rules and allows clubs to spend up to a percentage of their total revenues on squad-related costs.

Nine of the league's 20 clubs already have to comply with Uefa's SCR as a result of qualifying for Europe. Both Chelsea and Aston Villa were fined by Uefa in July for breaching the rules.

Asked about SCR at the Leaders sports conference in London, Masters said: "We are talking to our clubs about an alternative system. That's not to say we don't think the PSR system works."

He added: "It's about closer alignment with European regulation, which is squad cost ratio, which is a revenue test. In Uefa, it's now set at 70%. Our system will be 85% because we always want our clubs to have the ability to invest.

"The Premier League has been built on the back of investment in which international capital flows [are] coming in. We don't want that to be to be stifled off."

Read more here

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He described his first week in the job as "hard work", adding: "I think everyone at the club is making a big effort to help. We're getting things going, getting to know each other better."

• On team news: "Today, we worked with 22 players and tomorrow we make the decisions. Let's wait and see. [Jean-Clair] Todibo trained - he wasn't involved all of last week, now he is. With the exception of George [Earthy], all the players are available. I think it will be four to six weeks for him.

• On his long-term ambitions: "I'm thinking only about tomorrow for now!"

• He said he wants to bring the club and its fans closer together: "They were there in Liverpool and helped us and they'll be there on Saturday. It's up to us to give back to them. The issues [like fan protests] are too soon for me to go into - it is not up to me. I am worried about the bond with the team and the fans. When that's there, the players and everyone feels joy."

• He was asked about James Ward-Prowse, who he dropped from the squad in his first match in charge: "We are trying to know the players as soon as possible so we can make proper solutions. James was not involved. Let's see after more training sessions. It is about what the team needs and wants - it is going to be a long season."

• Opponents Arsenal are known to be strong from set-pieces, which Nuno accepted was a "big problem" for his side: "We have been working and I think we improved in the last game. There is still a problem with the second phase but it is something we are trying to address."

• Max Kilman, who Nuno has worked with before, is set to make his 200th club appearance and Nuno described the defender as an "important member" of the squad: "He can help in terms of relationships because he knows how we want to approach things, with our work ethic. He has been very helpful. I'm delighted for him."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Arsenal v West Ham from 15:00 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live

West Ham, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are interested in Parma's 23-year-old Argentine striker Mateo Pellegrino, but the Italian club do not want to sell him before next summer. (TuttoSport via Parma Live - in Italian), external

Southampton are planning to offer West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse the chance to return to St Mary's in January. (GiveMesport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham Under-21s went down to 10 men at Reading when Ezra Mayers was shown a red card after Callum Marshall had put them in front.

The Royals then made the most of their numerical advantage as Jacob Borgnis, Mark O'Mahony and Jeremiah Okine-Peters gave them a 3-1 victory.

Despite the defeat, the Hammers remain top of Southern Group D after two games, but level on points with Swindon Town who have a game in hand.

West Ham "are completely devoid of identity", said The Observer's Rory Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"They look like they have thrown a bit of money around and there is no common sense thread to it.

"But also, all the stuff that made them West Ham has gone. They have a soulless stadium that the fans hate and it doesn't have the same hostility feel as Upton Park.

"There are no real local players in the team any more, so it doesn't have that representative feeling of east London and there is no style of play.

"There is nothing to hang on to if you are a West Ham fan, or make you think there can be long-term success.

"They strike me as the club who are struggling with their identity the most in the Premier League."

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "They have brought Nuno Espirito Santo in to stop them getting relegated, but there are still 33 games left and they are in that mindset.

"At the moment, the club is a real mess."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's 1-1 draw at Everton in Nuno Espirito Santo's first game in charge of West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Rob: A very good second-half performance. El Hadji Malick Diouf and Crysencio Summerville were fantastic down the left and really stretched the defence. A solid start from Nuno. We looked so much more effective then under Graham Potter - quick and decisive in our turnovers and aggression in tackles. Positive start and hopefully the start of things to come.

Richie: An honest effort. With Potter in charge we would have lost that game. Still going to be a long old season though... Arsenal away next.

Jamie: Definite signs of improvement. Clear issues defending set-pieces, but a huge shift in mentality. We were the much better team after conceding, which is a huge change from every other game. Good signs.

Matt: Really enjoyed the second half and the return of the counter-attacking football that made us so fun to watch in the 2021 Jesse Lingard season. Let's hope our fans wait at least a few years this time before forgetting how bad we were and whinge about our football not being the 'West Ham way'.

Kevin: Better but early days and still a very poor goal conceded.

James: Promising considering Nuno has only had a few days to work with the players. Summerville was excellent and Jarrod Bowen delivered as always. Good to see Freddie Potts get some minutes too.

Ian: It's good to see some technical know-how and effort from the lads, you could see the enjoyment within the players.

• Not a West Ham fan? Follow your Premier League club on BBC Sport

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Sport: "We did a lot of good things. We competed well but there is a lot of work to be done. We started the second half on the front foot - the desire was there."

On the character his side has: "We have to build on that. Now it is about keeping it simple and trying to give the boys a good identity. We will get there in terms of identity and character, but now it's keeping it simple. The clear message was how we have to approach the game. It is a tough place to come and Everton are a good team in a good moment."

On the players he has: "It's too soon. It is three days, we are in the process of knowing each other."

On being back in management: "It's nice. It's what we live for - to compete."

West Ham captain and goalscorer Jarrod Bowen, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's a big point for us. We had chances to win the game. They had chances as well so, on reflection, it's probably a fair result. It speaks to the character of the team after going down 1-0.

"We've got a really good group here that really want to work hard and change our fortunes, and I think you saw that. We've had Nuno for two days and I thought we put in a really good performance. It's about time, putting the work in and listening to the new gaffer. We're heading in the right direction and tonight's a good start."

Did you know?

• West Ham have conceded eight goals from corners in the Premier League this season, as many as they did in the whole of 2024-25. They have also conceded seven headed goals, more than twice as many as any other side in the competition.

• Bowen has now been involved in 11 goals in his past 12 league games (eight goals, three assists).

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Nuno has taken over a West Ham side in the middle of a horrible run of form, having lost four of their first five games, and he will hope this draw marks the start of an improved new era.

While West Ham's build-up play was often underwhelming, forward Crysencio Summerville and left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf were bright sparks down the Hammers' left.

Dutchman Summerville carried the ball well and looked to stretch the Everton back-line out of position, while Diouf was too much for Toffees right-back Jake O'Brien to handle at times and his cross led to Jarrod Bowen's equaliser.

West Ham's goal immediately made them much more threatening as they took the game to Everton, picking up their first points in the Premier League since the end of August.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

David Moyes names an unchanged Everton side from the team who narrowly lost the Merseyside derby in their last Premier League game on 20 September.

Everton XI: Pickford, Keane, Tarkowski, Beto, Ndiaye, O'Brien, Mykolenko, Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Gueye, Garner.

Subs: Travers, Patterson, McNeil, Barry, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Aznou, Iroegbunam.

Nuno Espirito Santo makes two changes for West Ham in his first match in charge.

James Ward Prowse is not included in the squad, while Callum Wilson drops to the bench.

They are replaced by Soungoutou Magassa and Callum Wilson, who were both among the substitutes for the Hammers' 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace last time out.

West Ham XI: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Summerville, Paqueta, Fullkrug, Diouf, Mavropanos, Fernandes, Bowen, Magassa.

Subs: Hermansen, Julio, Wilson, Guilherme, Rodriguez, Scarles, Potts, Irving, Marshall.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

The contractual conditions surrounding Graham Potter's exit from West Ham have been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about West Ham' form.

Most correspondence focused on whether Potter will now receive a lucrative compensation package after his sacking.

The details of Potter's contract are not known.

However, what is known is West Ham initially wanted to offer him the job to the end of last season and then review – and Potter said no.

That can only lead to the conclusion there is compensation that will need to be paid.

To 'normal' people, it is a colossal amount of money being paid to someone who has essentially failed at their job.

But clubs could not get a manager without giving them a contract, so they know the deals they are entering into and the consequences if it does not work out.

Also, the figures involved are relatively minor given clubs get over £3m per place in the Premier League.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Holly Turbutt
Fan contributor

West Ham Network's Holly Turbutt says that putting such an abrupt stop to Graham Potter's project feels "brutal".

"As much as I wanted Potter to succeed, once belief in that project is gone, it makes sense to move quickly," says Holly.

Find more from Holly Turbutt at West Ham Network, external

This is your West Ham page. On the app? Hit the bell icon to get notifications on club news. On a desktop? Hit follow and you'll see more Hammers content.

With West Ham lingering in 19th in the Premier League, the Hammers have opted to bring Nuno Espirito Santo in as Graham Potter's managerial successor.

Nuno boasts a system that aligns well with the current squad, but the interpersonal skills he brings to the job may be just as important in getting the club out of their current situation.

Match of the Day presenter Gabby Logan and ex-England captain Ellen White discuss the appointment of Nuno and what fans want to see from their new boss.

The irony here is that a win for former West Ham boss David Moyes, who their fans wanted to get rid of, could end Graham Potter's time in charge of the Hammers.

It's hard to see any other outcome, to be honest. Everton are still short of a goalscoring striker but they have stacks of creativity and should have more than enough chances.

My 606 co-host Roman Kemp described the Hill Dickinson Stadium as a fortress last week. I feel like he went a bit early there, but they should still be too strong for West Ham - I am not sure the Hammers have the stomach for a fight.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have struggled to build out from the back under pressure and, in trying to score through longer possessions, they have not created dangerous chances with ease.

For the past few seasons the Hammers have looked brightest when attacking in transition, making the most of their best players' strengths, in particular Jarrod Bowen.

Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest would break quickly using the pace of their front four to attack space. This would suit players like West Ham's Crysencio Summerville, Lucas Paqueta and Bowen.

If Nuno wants to prioritise defensive solidity initially, he may start with a five-at-the-back system, but it would be unsurprising to see him deploy his more commonly used 4-2-3-1.

Despite having a general system he opts for, Nuno changes the roles of the players in his system based on their qualities.

Using the wingers as an example, Nuno would ask Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga to play wide.

Against Fulham last season the wingers were Elliot Anderson and Nicolas Dominguez, who were instead encouraged to move infield given their skillset.

Nuno will look to his strongest players, looking to create a team that allow them to do what they do best.

El Hadji Malick Diouf's impressive quality as an attacking full-back this season will therefore likely be utilised, with Nuno opting for defensive security elsewhere on the pitch.

Niclas Fullkrug, Summerville, Soungoutou Magassa, Mateus Fernandes, Paqueta and Max Kilman are all players who also make more sense being used in Nuno's transition-heavy system.

In analysing Nuno's Forest, it is also important to recognise the intelligent tactical tweaks he opted for last season, dispelling the myth that he is strictly a park-the-bus-and-counter coach.

Forest beat Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-finals last season using five midfielders: Danilo, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Ryan Yates and Dominguez.

Elanga and Hudson-Odoi were benched for natural midfielders, which allowed Nuno's men to block the central areas of the pitch, nullifying Brighton.

These game-specific tweaks often within his general system are a sign of Nuno's adaptability in recent months.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Appointing Nuno Espirito Santo is the common-sense decision.

West Ham are in the relegation zone and, though it may irk fans to read it, not too good to go down.

Nuno's pragmatic approach is a far cry from what Graham Potter was trying to implement and what Hammers fans would ideally see from their team, but needs must for West Ham at the moment.

Nuno has vast experience in ensuring his teams stay in the Premier League - he did it with Wolves and again with Nottingham Forest.

Sources close to the situation have told BBC Sport that steps towards the 51-year-old's appointment started before the game against Crystal Palace.

Primarily on an exploratory basis, the Hammers were keen to determine whether he would be willing to return to work so soon after losing his job at the City Ground.

The initial response was encouraging, he intimated he was open to it.

There were others in the frame, too. Slaven Bilic - a former Hammers player and manager - was also considered. He would have been a romantic appointment and, perhaps it goes without saying, he would have jumped at the opportunity to return to east London.

According to sources close to Bilic, he was already planning his coaching team.

Mark Noble - the club's sporting director - would have been sounded out about taking on a coaching remit, while former Hammers defender James Collins was in line for a return to the club.

Intriguingly, it is understood Bilic would have been willing to take the job on a deal that ran until the end of the season - making him an attractive proposition to David Sullivan, who is believed to have preferred a short-term appointment.

Defeat by Crystal Palace sharpened the mind. Potter's reign was effectively over and a matter of when not if.

The focus at the start of this week centred on Nuno. Sources indicated Sullivan, at least at that point, maintained his preference to make an appointment until the summer while offering a 'huge bonus' should the new man keep them in the Premier League.

But as one well-placed source said to BBC Sport: "Why would Nuno agree to that?"

His stock is high. He transformed Forest from a club threatened with relegation to one playing in Europe this season. His body of work at the City Ground is, effectively, why West Ham have appointed him.

Indeed, despite the obvious ease of appointing Bilic, talks with Nuno had been ongoing since the start of the week.

BBC Sport sources indicated on Wednesday that Sullivan was minded to meet Nuno's requests, and it is understood agreement on a three-year deal was finally reached on Friday evening.

Read the inside story of Potter's sacking and Nuno's appointment

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Nuno Espirito Santo's appointment as West Ham United's new head coach.

The turnaround from Graham Potter's departure was quick, but do you think the former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest boss is the right man to solve the club's current problems?

Here are some of your thoughts:

John: It's too early to know what impact Nuno will have. We all thought Potter was the answer, but perhaps our player acquisitions need scrutiny.

Simon: I like Nuno. I think he will steady the ship, with particular attention to detail in central defence and the goalkeeper position. He will make us harder at the back and we will build from there. A good appointment at last!

Roger: Yet another manager - when are the owners ever going to learn? They could have bought a top class striker, and possibly a top class central defender for the money they have wasted on a procession of mediocre managers.

James: A good appointment and the right time to make a change. Nuno will hopefully imprint his ideas quickly and get the team pushing up the table. I'm just glad this has come about now, rather than further down the line when it could've been too late.

Iain: Nuno was the last manager Potter beat as West Ham manager before he too was sacked. So now we've appointed two sacked managers this season, the current losing to the prior. It bodes well for a tragic club in crisis, with an appalling board run by the Brady bunch!

Jon: This just proves that Karren Brady and David Sullivan can't run a football club. They have made some horrendous decisions when it comes to management appointments. It's time for them to sell up, move on and get West Ham back in a stadium which they can call home.