English heavyweights Arsenal resume their Premier League duties with a trip to London to face struggling neighbors West Ham United on Saturday.
It will be another tricky test for Mikel Arteta and co. after their recent 5-1 hammering of Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners also won their last league encounter against Nottingham Forest by a 3-0 scoreline.
It was a much-needed relief for Arsenal as the result ended their four-game winless streak. They now occupy fifth place in the Premier League standings. The North London outfit are still nine points behind leaders Liverpool. They have a lot of work to do in order to compete for the prestigious title. Arteta’s team are just one point behind Manchester City, who will be travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool this weekend.
Meanwhile, West Ham emerged victorious (2-0) in their last Premier League game vs Newcastle United courtesy to goals from Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. They are currently placed at the 15th spot in the table. It was first piece of success since late August.
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The Hammers have taken seven points from a possible nine in their last three home games. Only once of their last four games against Arsenal has ended in a defeat.
In the most recent encounter between the two sides, Arsenal destroyed West Ham by a 6-0 scoreline in February. Sporting will be confident of troubling them in attack as they have scored a staggering 31 goals in their last nine games. Arteta has a strong group of players in his hands, a team that has fought well in recent times. Much of their medical room has been cleared, and they have all their key players available.
Martin Ødegaard’s return is a boost, and we expect the manager to field a full-strength team for this contest. All eyes will be on the lineup ahead of the blockbuster clash.
Here is how Arsenal could lineup against West Ham
Arsenal defence vs West Ham: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori
Raya will continue to serve his duties in front of the nets with the ever-reliable Timber offering defensive support on the left side of defense. Kieran Tierney’s return to training means that only Ben White (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) will be sidelined for this game.
Gabriel is a doubt after picking up a knock against Sporting CP in midweek and might be rested ahead of Arsenal’s next match against Manchester United.
Calafiori made it to the matchday squad against Forest and is also available to face the Hammers tonight. Oleksandr Zinchenko will also be available as a substitute.
Arsenal midfield vs West Ham: Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard
The main dilemma for Arteta will be about whom to select between Partey and Mikel Merino. Both players have been equally fantastic, but we see the former getting a spot due to his vast experience with this side.
Rice was an unused substitute in the Forest game, but he was able to shrug off his injury concerns to return back to training. He is likely to return to full fitness and make it to the starting lineup.
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Odegaard returned back to his original form with an inspiring display vs Forest. He will be key to Arsenal’s success in this competition.
Arsenal attack vs West Ham: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
Saka returned back after a slight injury issue and is available. Similarly, Havertz and Martinelli got a much-deserved break in the last league game and will be ready to deliver for the Gunners.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus will make the bench, and we expect the former to make an impact late in the second half.
Arsenal Predicted lineup vs West Ham: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
