Arsenal vs West Ham United: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Arsenal will welcome West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium for a fascinating London Derby on matchday 19 in the Premier League.
The Gunners were top of the table in Christmas for a second time in a row after their 1-1 draw against Liverpool. Whereas the Hammers defeated Manchester United 2-0.
Match Preview
Arsenal drew 1-1 against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend. Gabriel Magalhaes’s header gave the Gunners an early lead in the fourth minute. However, Liverpool equalised through Mo Salah inside the 25th minute mark.
Both teams were looking for a win to go at the top of the table, but the game ended in a draw, and Arsenal remained at the top of the Premier League.
Moreover, if Liverpool had beaten them and Aston Villa had also won their game, Arsenal would’ve dropped to third position in the table.
The last time Arteta’s men played at home, they earned a comfortable 2-0 victory over De Zebi’s Brighton and Hove Albion.
West Ham United have already defeated Arsenal once this season at the EFL Cup. However, Liverpool thrashed them 5-1 in the next round.
The Europa Conference League champions are slowly looking to secure a spot in the top four as they currently sit sixth in the table.
The 2-0 win over Manchester United was a fifth top-flight win for West Ham in their last seven games. However, they did get demolished by Fulham 5-0 in their last London derby away from home.
West Ham suffered a 3-1 defeat last year on Boxing Day. But David Moyes’ men would want a positive result this time.
Arsenal team news
Jurien Timber, Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu will be out for the Gunners. However, the latter two will return before their clash against Liverpool in the FA Cup on January 7.
Kai Havertz will miss the game due to suspension and Jorginho is expected to take his place in the XI. Former West Ham player Declan Rice will also start the game.
Mikel Arteta’s side have got no new injury issues after their 1-1 draw to Liverpool last weekend.
West Ham United team news
Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet missed the clash against Manchester United. Cornet would not be fit for the clash, but Aguerd should be able to start against Arsenal.
Michail Antonio is sidelined due to a knee problem, and he is unlikely to be considered for the first team for now.
Arsenal vs West Ham United: Predicted line-ups
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Bowen
Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United
Mikel Arteta might have let go of West Ham in the EFL Cup, but when it comes to the Premier League, he will start his strongest XI against them.
West Ham will cause problems for the Gunners, but they will have a home advantage on their side in this clash.
