Arsenal Want To Take First Place From Liverpool

Arsenal will aim to regain the top spot when they host West Ham United, with David Moyes eager to break his Emirates hoodoo.

Mikel Arteta was the happier of the two managers at Anfield as Arsenal left Merseyside with a crucial point in the title race. It was a game for Liverpool not to lose, but the result was a significant step forward for the Gunners in the context of the battle at the top. Arsenal next face West Ham United at home on Thursday.

Mohamed Salah’s strike midway through the first half responded to Gabriel Magalhaes’s early header. Both teams had their chances for the rest of the encounter but settled for a high-quality draw in the end. Following the Boxing Day action, Liverpool have moved to the top, and Arsenal will now aim to regain their spot at the summit when they take on West Ham United.

With two games coming in quick succession for the Gunners, they must aim for six points in those, starting with a tricky visit from West Ham. Mikel Arteta will want his side to keep momentum and maintain composure to showcase the class of a title-challenging side and will want another solid performance from his players.

West Ham continue to have a puzzling season, as their recent trajectory tends to show. David Moyes would have been delighted at their showing against Manchester United last weekend, where goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus sealed the three points, which also took the Hammers to the sixth spot.

Manchester United’s win on Tuesday meant the Red Devils leapfrogged West Ham. But even Brighton could go past them if they manage a win over Tottenham. However, Moyes will surely want them to regain the sixth spot with a stellar win over the Gunners, something the Scotsman has never done before in his managerial career.

It is a talking point about Moyes’s career, as he has yet to manage an away win at Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, or Chelsea. He will surely sense an opportunity to get one over the Gunners this time around as he takes his in-form side to the Emirates for a crunch festive meeting.

Team News & Tactics

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has no fresh concerns with his players, as he could welcome a few back into his matchday squad. Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho could return to the setup after missing a few games through respective fitness issues.

Some unconfirmed reports stated Thomas Partey was close to a return. But even if that is the case, Arteta is unlikely to select the midfielder so soon. The midfield is where they are missing most players, as Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz after he picked his fifth booking of the season.

Leandro Trossard should ideally replace the German in the middle of the park to partner with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Beyond that, Arteta may keep everyone from his starting eleven from Anfield, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba marshalling the central defensive zone.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus should all start up front for Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe could provide some firepower off the bench alongside Reiss Nelson. But beyond that, the Gunners have weak depth in defence, with only Jakub Kiwior and Cedric in a position to replace some of the starters.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

West Ham XI vs Arsenal

Key Stats

Arsenal have won their last eight home matches against West Ham in all competitions.

Arsenal are undefeated in 17 of their last 19 matches in the Premier League.

Arsenal are unbeaten at home this season in all competitions.

David Moyes is yet to win an away game against Arsenal in his managerial career.

West Ham have won their last two games in the Premier League without conceding a goal