West Ham have the chance to do something very funny when they face Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

In what is being tipped as the game “that will define the season”, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side host the Gunners as they try to crawl to safety in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s team are gunning for their first league title in over twenty years.

After Manchester City’s slip-up against Everton on Monday, things are now back in Arsenal’s hands. They are five points clear of City, despite Pep Guardiola’s side having a game in hand. It has been a great week for the Gunners, who have also reached the UEFA Champions League final after defeating Atlético Madrid.

In contrast, the last week has been pretty dreadful for West Ham, who slipped back into the relegation zone after last weekend’s results. With three games left to go, many people – including many West Ham fans – have written the Irons off, as they must face an in-form Arsenal side in the relegation run-in.

The task is monumental. After a brief blip, Arteta’s side look back to their best. The Hammers have had a good 2026, but beating Arsenal, even at home, seems very unlikely. If Nuno’s side lose and Spurs beat Leeds this weekend, it could all but confirm the Irons’ relegation to the Championship.

But some supporters are still holding out hope. West Ham have a history of scuppering the title charges of other sides, including Arsenal. Most recently, the Hammers handed the Gunners one of their only defeats of the 2023/24 campaign after beating them 2–0 in North London. A few months prior, David Moyes’ team thwarted Arteta’s title charge with a 2–2 draw at the London Stadium.

That result helped the Irons stay up in 2023, and something similar is possible on Sunday – unlikely, but possible. If the Hammers could even nick a point on Sunday, it could prove huge for the team’s morale and their points tally come the end of the season.

What has been quite amusing to witness is the unification of English football in support of the Irons on Sunday. With the opportunity to cost Arsenal the league and relegate Spurs, the entire rest of the country is behind Nuno’s team this weekend.

Last weekend was a poor showing at Brentford. But the Irons are back in East London on Sunday for this huge tie. For all the criticisms thrown at the London Stadium, when the team’s back is against the wall ahead of a huge game, the fans can create a rocking atmosphere.

I may look like an idiot on Sunday evening, but despite everything, I am quietly optimistic about Sunday. One thing about supporting West Ham is that you never know what will happen next. Hopefully the Arsenal game will be one of those occasions, and the Irons will shock the world with a result.

COME ON YOU IRONS!