The Premier League’s Christmas table-toppers for the second year running are back in action on Thursday night as Arsenal welcome West Ham to the Emirates for a festive London derby.
A gritty draw at Anfield ensured the Gunners remained at the summit for Christmas, and Mikel Arteta was undoubtedly content with a point considering the club’s woes at Liverpool’s cauldron over the past decade.
The Spaniard’s side have shown they’re capable of competing for the title again, and they’ll be intent on returning to winning ways on Thursday.
West Ham have ascended to the lofty heights of sixth in the Premier League table having won three of their last four. The Hammers brushed aside a typically indifferent Manchester United at the weekend, and they’ll be confident of challenging Arsenal in midweek after beating them in the Carabao Cup fourth round at the start of November.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Arsenal’s clash against West Ham.
Arsenal vs West Ham H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
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Kai Havertz picked up his fifth booking of the season at Anfield and will miss Thursday’s game. His absence could offer a rare starting berth for Emile Smith Rowe, with Fabio Vieira still nursing a groin injury.
There are no major changes on the injury front for the Gunners with Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, and Takehiro Tomiyasu all still out of action.
Leandro Trossard could replace Gabriel Martinelli in attack, while Jakub Kiwior is in contention at left-back.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Saka, Jesus, Trossard.
Illness ruled Nayef Aguerd out of the Man Utd victory, but even if he’s okay to return to the matchday squad, Moyes will likely stick with Kurt Zouma and former Gunner Konstantinos Mavropanos at the heart of his defence.
Michail Antonio is closing in a return from injury, but the striker won’t start Thursday’s game.
Moyes could name an unchanged side from Saturday’s win at the Emirates.
West Ham predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson; Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Soucek, Paqueta; Bowen.
West Ham’s form would indicate a fairly tight game at the Emirates on Thursday, and there’s no doubt the visitors could do some damage on the counter-attack through their red-hot forwards. Set-pieces could also be an issue for the hosts.
However, Arsenal’s performance at Anfield would’ve emboldened many regarding their title hopes, and the Gunners have been pretty imperious on home soil this term. Their attackers misfired against Liverpool, and this could be a get-right game for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal eventually won pretty comfortably in this fixture on Boxing Day last season, and a similar result could play out on Thursday.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 West Ham
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90Mins
