Pep Guardiola shouts ‘Come on you Irons’ as he urges West Ham to disrupt Arsenal’s Premier League title charge
Pep Guardiola shouted “Come on you Irons” as he urged West Ham to slow Arsenal’s title charge after Manchester City kept up the pressure with a 3-0 win over Brentford.
Following goals from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, and Omar Marmoush, Guardiola concluded his post-match press conference with a pointed message ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming game at the London Stadium.
Jamie Braidwood10 May 2026 14:20
Declan Rice returns to lead Arsenal’s title challenge at West Ham
“Dec’s been outstanding for us, he’s one of our leaders, one of the main players without a doubt. And what he’s doing for the club, for the team, is just very powerful,” Arteta said of his midfielder, whose £100m move from West Ham three years ago keeps on looking better and better for Arsenal.
Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season for club and country when he lines up against his former employers on Sunday, having finished runner-up to Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes for the recently announced Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award.
He scored a stunning strike in Arsenal’s 6-0 win at West Ham a couple of years ago.
Jamie Braidwood10 May 2026 14:02
Nuno Espirito Santo: ‘Difficult to play Arsenal because they are very good’
“They are a very talented team that is fighting for huge things and achieving huge moments. They have reached the final of the Champions League and are fighting for the Premier League title.
They are a tough opponent, but we are at London Stadium and that always gives us a plus of energy and especially for us, we have to give our all. There is no hiding. Being at home is good for us.
“Especially recently, our fans are giving us extra, so they’ve been really helpful. It’s always nervy in these final games of the season. There’s always anxiety in the games so it is up to us to control our nerves and deliver what we want.”
Jamie Braidwood10 May 2026 13:45
West Ham’s home form vs Arsenal’s recent record at London Stadium
West Ham are currently enjoying their longest Premier League unbeaten run at the London Stadium. They are unbeaten in six, winning three and drawing there, and last had a longe run in their final season at Upton Park.
Arsenal, though, have won handsomely on their last two visits to the London Stadium. A 6-0 thrashing in 2023/24 was followed by a 5-2 win last season.
(PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood10 May 2026 13:28
‘West Ham need to go for it against Arsenal’
In normal circumstances, you would think that West Ham’s best possibility of a result would be to sit tight and frustrate Arsenal. It’s worked well for Nuno so many times this season. It’s been proven to work well in some key games against Arsenal.
And that would be fine if West Ham had enough fixtures left for a point to feel really valuable. But they don’t. They need wins, especially when faced with a resurgent Spurs. At some point, West Ham have to go for it.
And that’s against an Arsenal who look more willing to go for it than at any point over the past four months. How couldn’t they when you consider the boosts that Arteta’s side have enjoyed over the past week alone?
(Getty)
Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer10 May 2026 13:10
Bukayo Saka can propel Arsenal to Premier League title with his ‘aura’, says Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta believes Bukayo Saka’s “aura” can propel Arsenal to Premier League glory with his side just three matches away from a first title in 22 years.
“Obviously his role has grown around the club, around the team and on the pitch towards the opponent as well,” Arteta said after Saka inspired Arsenal to wins over Fulham and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg.
“You sense that. He has got a presence now, he has got an aura. He has got something special.
“He is a different player, he is a player that can change a game at any moment. And creating that fear in the opponent is something important.
“It’s been a joy. We know him on a human level. And on the football level, what he has provided to this club, and what he did the other night (against Atleti) was just remarkable.”
Bukayo Saka scored against Atletico Madrid (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood10 May 2026 12:52
Nuno Espirito Santo not thinking about next season
Nuno Espirito Santo insists he has given no thought to his future at West Ham whether they are relegated or not.
The West Ham board are understood to want Nuno, who signed a three-year deal when he was appointed in September, to stay on as head coach even if they do go down to the Championship.
“I’m going to be honest with you – I don’t have one second to think about next season,” said Portuguese coach Nuno.
“It’s so demanding what we have, the challenge, especially the game on Sunday, that’s what we have to focus on.
“I don’t have enough energy to think about what’s ahead. It’s tomorrow, then tomorrow, day-by-day.
“All the club, all the staff, the board, the players, the fans, we have our mission. It’s about Sunday and we just focus on Sunday.”
(Getty)
Andy Sims10 May 2026 12:35
Why West Ham vs Arsenal could be the most decisive game in Premier League history
Arsenal’s visit to West Ham on Sunday has the potential to be the most decisive Premier League game of the season, and maybe in the competition’s history, given the potential direct consequences. It could go some way to deciding the title, but also the final relegation spot.
Consider the cascading stakes. If Arsenal win, they will be able to see the trophy. It would leave fixtures against a relegated Burnley and a Crystal Palace preparing for a Europa Conference final three days later. There’s also the possibility of City being affected by a sense of the title drifting away.
On the other side, a West Ham defeat would mathematically secure Leeds United’s survival, the day before Daniel Farke’s side travel to Tottenham Hotspur. It’s impossible not to think Leeds’s intensity would be affected, and Spurs could secure another crucial win. That could be fatal for West Ham. It only ratchets up that pressure.
Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer10 May 2026 12:18
And what about Tottenham? How Arsenal can boost their north London rivals
If Arsenal can do Tottenham a favour and beat West Ham, Spurs would go into Monday night’s game against Leeds with the chance to move themselves four points clear of the bottom three with two games to go, and with a much healthier goal difference.
Tottenham would then require just one win from their final two games, or even two draws, to get over the line. Spurs go to Chelsea on 17 May before finishing their season at home to Everton.
Jamie Braidwood10 May 2026 12:00
When could Arsenal win the Premier League?
It’s advantage Arsenal in the title race. If Arsenal beat West Ham on Sunday and Manchester City fail to beat Crystal Palace at home, it would mean the Gunners would be able to lift the title at the Emirates with a victory over relegated Burnley in their final home game of the season.
This looks to be Arsenal’s trickiest game by far, as the Hammers are battling for survival. After that, the Gunners will play relegated Burnley and finish their season at a Palace team who will be preparing for a European final a few days later.
Sunday 10 May: West Ham (a) Monday 18 May: Burnley (h) Sunday 24 May: Crystal Palace (a) Saturday 30 May: PSG (Champions League final) 
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood10 May 2026 11:42