Preview:Arsenal v West Ham

The Premier League returns on Boxing Day after a month off due to the scintillating World Cup. Arsenal come to this game as lead leaders and look to carry on their good form from their first 14 games, while the Hammers are looking to get their second win in their last 5 games in the EPL. Sitting at the 14th, they will want to get off to a good start to help them push higher up in the table. But the Gunners should go into this game confident and are the favourites for this match.

H2H Record

Arsenal has won 8 out of their last 10 games against West Ham only losing once in a narrow 1-0 defeat and an entertaining 3-3 draw. In the pair’s last 5 encounters, Arsenal have scored 10 goals and conceded 5 showing their superior record against West Ham. Arsenal will come into this game confident that they can extend their record against the Irons.

Team News

Arsenal

Obviously, Gabriel Jesus is out until late February 2023 with a knee injury sustained during Brazil’s penultimate group game in the World Cup.

Zinchenko and Tomiyasu are doubtful for the game with muscle and hamstring injuries respectively, but can be expected to be participating in full training soon. Nelson and Smith-Rowe are out for a few days with Nelson receiving a knock in an Arsenal friendly fixture and Smith-Rowe getting ready to return to training after being out with a long term groin injury. Saliba is expected to miss the game due to his recent World Cup final loss in Qatar.

West Ham

Scamacca,Cornet and Antonio are all doubts for the fixture with Scamacca suffering an ankle injury and the other two are not likely to feature with thigh injuries.

Defensive duo Aguerd and Zouma are missing the game with injuries with a strain and a knee injury respectively.

Predicted Lineups

Arsenal are expected to continue their 4-3-3 lineup and West Ham should play their 4-2-3-1 formation.

Arsenal: Ramsdale,White,Holding,Gabriel,Tierney,Partey,Xhaka,Odegaard,Saka,Nketiah,Martinelli

West Ham: Fabianski,Coufal,Dawson,Kehrer,Cresswell,Soucek,Rice,Benrahama,Paqueta,Fornals,Bowen.

Match Prediction

Arsenal are coming up against a fragile West Ham outfit who haven’t kept a clean sheet in 6 games and are ranked 17th in goals scored, only getting 11 goals in the Premier League this season. While the Gunners have the joint best defensive record in the league with only 11 conceded. Arsenal will feel positive that if they can take their chances and defend with solidity they can come out of this match with a comfortable win. I predict a 2-0 victory for the league leaders.