West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes says the Hammers do not fear Arsenal ahead of the London derby on Sunday afternoon.

The Hammers will host Mikel Arteta’s side at the London Stadium and Downes says his team won’t shy away from the challenge of trying to beat the league leaders:

“We are are due a result against a big team and I think it’s coming. We got a big win against Fulham the other day so it’s positives and we’ll take that into Sunday. Look at our team – our team is a good team. We don’t fear them, they are coming to our home, so we’re going to take them on and that’s it.”

Downes is certainly being bullish but, considering West Ham lost 5-1 to Newcastle in their last home fixture, you do feel he is being a bit foolhardy with his remarks.

The Irons are battling for every point they can get as they look to move away from the relegation zone so you would back them to be up for the fight.

However, Downes should be under no illusions that this will be a very tough game. Whether the 24-year-old will be in the first eleven anyway, it is unlikely, considering his last start in the league came against Tottenham almost two months ago.

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