This week I spoke to Arsenal fan, Sam Shethran for our regular opposition Q&A
1) Where will Arsenal finish this season? Can they finish higher than Spurs? Do you still believe in Arsène Wenger?
I genuinely expect Arsenal to finish above Spurs this season, I predict we will come 2nd behind Leicester as Spurs have a mental weakness and have done for many years when ahead of Arsenal, within the season they show promise but always fall behind Arsenal by the end of the season. It’s happened for nigh on 20 years now and I expect the same again.
2) Which three teams do you think will suffer relegation this season?
Relegation for Aston Villa, Sunderland and Norwich.
3) How do you rate West Ham’s manager Slaven Bilic and his first season in charge of a Premier league team?
I am very impressed with Bilic – his purchases have been spot on and he clearly motivates his players to play with passion and pride.The killer test will however be his second and third season in the league…
4) West Ham sit in sixth place after briefly occupying third but what league position can West Ham realistically achieve this season under Bilic?
Realistically West Ham will come 5th at best. Man City will nail 4th place but the Hammers can outdo Man Utd.
5) If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you choose and who would you replace to slot them in to your first team?
I would take Mark Noble and replace Coquelin as the former shows greater technical ability and more passion and had greater fitness this season.
6) Who is the better player this season? Payet or Ozil? Be honest ;-)
Honestly Özil is the better player. The amount of assists he creates is ridiculously high and it would be far higher if the team around him wasn’t so terrible at finishing simple chances off. As a gooner I am not afraid to say that Özil is too good for Arsenal, Wenger has failed him by not buying better players to support him. To have Giroud up front as the main striker is shameless when we could have had Suarez, Higuan or Benzema if we stumped up a few extra million. Payet is not in the same league just because of a few good performances in one season and a few decent free kicks. A solid player though of course.
7) Do you understand what the ‘West Ham way is’ and what it means to Hammers fans. Do you have an Arsenal way and if so what is it?
The West Ham way is similar to what the Arsenal way is. West Ham want young local East London players passing and moving off the ball the way Arsenal actually do it and the way Barcelona have perfected it.Big Sam Allardyce certainly didn’t play the West Ham way!
8) What is Arsenal’s achilles heel this season?
Arsenal’s defensive fragility has been our Achilles heel and has essentially cost us the league. We needed a better CB than Pers and CDM than Coquelin.
9) 14 Supporters’ Trusts came together to petition the Government for a public inquiry about West Ham’s occupancy of the Olympic Stadium but does the fact that West Ham got a good deal bother you personally as a football fan?
It does not bother me at all as Man City got a similar deal at the City of Manchester (now Etihad) and nobody cared so much about that. As long as someone uses the world class facilities the state paid for I am happy. The fact it will be used for athletics is the integral point for me.
10) How do you expect Arsenal to setup against West Ham on Saturday/ Team/formation prediction?
Arsenal will play 4-5-1 with Welbeck up too alone.
Cech (back from injury)
Monreal, Gabriel, Kosclieny, Bellerin
Ozil, Sanchez, Iwobi, Coquelin, Elneny
Welbeck
11) West Ham have not lost since August at the Boleyn ground what is your score Prediction for Saturday?
Arsenal will win 3-1 and I will be there in the away end with a bet slip in my hand being smug :-)
My thanks to Sam Shethran who is @shethran_banter on twitter
I agree both sides will score but I hoping a 2-1 win to keep our 230 day unbeaten record at the Boleyn ground alive.
Come on you Irons! Sean @WestHamFootball on twitter
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UPDATE: If you’re getting to Upton Park via the A13 tomorrow, you may want to read THIS? travel advice.