West Ham United vs Arsenal Fouls bOOST

The narrative for this one is there for all to see. Declan Rice left West Ham for Arsenal in the summer and this will be his first visit back to the London Stadium since his departure. It makes for interesting reading and his record of late suggests he won’t be going any easier on his former team-mates.

The England international commits 0.86 fouls per 90 and has been fouling more regular recently. In his last 10 games, he’s fouled at least once on 7 occasions and has committed 12 fouls in that period.

West Ham have a number of exciting attacking options this season, many of whom were bought with Rice’s transfer fee, and their fluid style will mean both Arsenal and Rice will have their hands full.

Rice will most likely be directly up against James Ward-Prowse, who draws an average of 0.55 fouls per 90 and has been fouled in 2 of his last 3.

More of a direct threat might come from Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen. The Ghanian has been excellent this season and draws a huge 2.99 fouls per 90. Bowen seems to be everywhere with West Ham and will cause issues for Rice and his Arsenal team-mates, he averages 1.27 fouls per 90.

Many will see Edson Alvarez as Rice’s direct replacement after the Mexican arrived from Ajax in the summer. This season for West Ham, Alvarez has committed 1.36 fouls per 90.

The midfielder forms a solid partnership with team-mate Tomas Soucek and both will have a busy afternoon as they aim to maintain West Ham’s strong home form. In the last 10 games, Alvarez has committed 11 fouls and 1+ fouls has landed in 7 of those games.

Arsenal’s are likely to be unchanged from last weekend’s win over Liverpool. That means Alvarez is likely to pick up Kai Havertz, who likes to drop deep, and draws 1.73 fouls per 90. Jorginho has came in to the Gunner’s side and showed his experience in recent weeks, he draws 1.45 fouls per 90 and will give Alvarez and his midfield partner a tough afternoon at the London Stadium.