At his pre-match presser, Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, described the Premier League match against West Ham United as “important”, saying, his side “have to win” to keep their title hopes alive.
A London Derby between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on Sunday 10 May, 2026 at 16:30 (WAT). Arteta will be looking to emerge victorious against Nuno Espirito De Santo’s Hammers to keep their quest for their first Premier League title strong after more than two (2) decades.
On the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 final, the Spaniard said, according to arsenal.com, whether Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG), he already “knew the level of the opposition that we had to face”.
At his pre-West Ham press conference, Arteta said:
On fresh injury worries…
“No, everybody finished the game well and nothing to add.”
On Champions League final against PSG…
“It is what it is. We knew the level of the opposition that we had to face, either way, Bayern Munich or PSG. We know the quality that they have, and that’s it. But obviously, we’re also very confident that when we get to that moment, we’re going to deliver what we need to.”
On his feeling and messaging to the Gunners and supporters…
“Stay present, live the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we’ve shown all season, or more, because, as you said, we are closer and closer, and everything that we do now is going to matter to win it or not.”
On the London Derby against West Ham United…
“Understanding the context of the game for both clubs, it’s huge, obviously. We know the importance of it, we know what we want, and what we have to do to win the game.”
His feeling since reaching the UCL final…
“I was in a really high emotional state after the game, obviously, because we know what it means to everybody, to the club.
“You have to believe me, straight after that, my concentration, my focus, my energy was, ‘ok, West Ham, what do we have to do on the mental side, physically, tactically, technically.”
Arsenal will head into the game against West Ham as League toppers with seventy-six (76) points, they are trailed by Manchester City, who have gathered seventy-four (74) points, while, West Ham United are sitting in the red zone, on the 18th spot, with thirty-six (36) points. All three (3) after thirty-five (35) games.
The Gunners will face the Les Parisiens in the UCL final in Budapest, Hungary. The English side saw off Atletico Madrid with a narrow 2-1 aggregate win to reach the final.
Photo: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager
