West Ham United vs Arsenal: Why to back Bukayo Saka to score or assist at 10/11

After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal's focus now turns back to the Premier League and trying to win their first title in 22 years.

Their next opponents are West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the hosts fighting for something themselves as they aim to avoid relegation to the Championship.

It will not be an easy game for the Gunners with it being a London derby away from home and West Ham fighting for their lives, so their best players must step up in order to try and get them the victory that would edge them closer to the title.

One of those is undoubtedly “starboy” and recent matchwinner Saka, who scored the goal that sent Arsenal through 2-1 on aggregate against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in midweek.

Should Martin Odegaard miss out on the starting XI again, Saka is likely to captain the side once more against West Ham, and will want to lead by example on the pitch.

Nonetheless, this article details why you should back Bukayo Saka to score or assist at 10/11.

Can Bukayo Saka guide Arsenal to glory?

Saka loves playing against West Ham more than any other side in the Premier League.

Indeed, the England international has been involved in more Premier League goals against the Hammers than any other opponent (G5, A4), with these nine goal contributions coming in his last eight appearances against them.

In terms of this season, only Viktor Gyokeres (G14, A1) has recorded more goal involvements than Saka (G7, A4) in the Premier League in an Arsenal shirt, and that is despite the latter missing a chunk of the campaign with injury.

Two of those (G1, A1) also came in the Gunners' most recent 3-0 win at home to Fulham, where Saka only played 45 minutes as Arteta continues to manage his minutes.

Adding those to his goal against Atletico, it is clear that the winger is getting back to his best, and is only gaining more fitness and sharpness as he plays more minutes.

Saka also ranks top in the Arsenal squad for average shots (2.3), key passes (two) and crosses (1.3) per league game, as well as shots (66) in general.

All of these stats, coupled up with Saka's recent form and historic success against West Ham, suggests that backing him to score or assist could provide good value.

Bukayo Saka's record against West Ham

Not only has Saka got a great record against West Ham in terms of goals and assists, but also in victories.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has won eight of his 11 match-ups with the Hammers in the Premier League (D1, L2), and has only beaten three other sides more in his career.

Two of those were Arsenal's previous two visits to the London Stadium, where they emphatically won 5-2 and 6-0.

This suggests there could be more goal contributions available for Saka on Sunday.