West Ham vs Arsenal | Team News, Injury Updates & Suspensions

Let’s take a look at the team news as Arsenal visit the London Stadium to face West Ham on Sunday. The Gunners ride on the back of two morale-boosting wins over Chelsea and Manchester United, keeping their top-four hopes alive. On the other hand, the Hammers lost their Europa League semifinal first-leg to Frankfurt at home this week while their domestic run seems to be suffering too, having encountered two defeats and a draw in the last three Premier League games.

The London derby promises a lot of action with Arteta’s side coming back from 3-0 down to rescue a point in this fixture last season. The Gunners need to get this win with Spurs having a relatively easier fixture against Leicester. History dictates that Arsenal should be confident going into this game against West Ham, with 13 away victories which is also their most against any Premier League side.

Mikel Arteta will be looking to retain the core of the squad that beat Chelsea and Manchester United, except for bringing in some long-term absentees who have recovered from injury recently. The defence looks a bit weak at the right and left-back positions with Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares providing cover.

The midfield looks solid with Odegaard playing ahead of Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka. The trio of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah seem to be getting along well over the last week, contributing heavily to the team’s scoring form.

Injury List:

PFA Fans’ Premier League Player of the Month for March, Bukayo Saka is expected to be available for selection for the London derby after being photographed at the training ground alongside his teammates. Saka scored in the crucial games against United and Chelsea to help secure maximum points.

The two significant absentees are Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey, but Nuno Tavares and Mohammed Elneny have both slotted into the side well to maintain stability. Elneny and Xhaka have performed, arguably, better than people expected. Gabriel Martinelli may be utilised against a weakened West Ham defence.

The good news for Arsenal is that right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to be back in the starting line-up, after making a substitute appearance against United. He will provide the stability in defence that the North London side lacked against Brighton and Southampton.

Suspensions:

No suspensions in the Arsenal team this week.

Premier League Form:

West Ham United: LDLWL

Arsenal: WWLLL

Arsenal Probable Team</st>:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Probable Line-up: Aaron Ramsdale (GK); Cedric Soares (RB), Ben White (CB), Gabriel (CB), Nuno Tavares (LB); Granit Xhaka (CDM), Mohamed Elneny (CDM); Bukayo Saka (RW), Martin Odegaard (CAM), Gabriel Martinelli (LW); Eddie Nketiah (ST).

Predicted Score: Arsenal 2-1 West Ham

West Ham have scored in all games at home this season and against a weakened Arsenal defence, we will definitely see a goal from the Hammers. David Moyes will be looking for some rotation in the side as they prepare for a comeback in the second-leg of the Europa League. A defence plagued with injuries might see Declan Rice play at centre-back. So this means that Arsenal will have a lot more opportunities in the game.

Expect an early goal from Michail Antonio and an equaliser before the end of the first half from one of the trio (Nketiah, Saka, Smith Rowe). A second-half goal from Odegaard to seal the win. Thus, a well-rested Arsenal side should get another crucial three points against West Ham in their pursuit of European football.

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