A busy week in the Premier League title race begins at the weekend when Arsenal take on West Ham United on Saturday evening. The Gunners play three times in the space of eight days as the festive schedule heats up.
Following their short trip to the London Stadium, Mikel Arteta's men welcome Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium before travelling to Fulham next Sunday.
After 12 games, Arsenal are nine points off league leaders Liverpool. However, a congested schedule over Christmas presents an opportunity for ground to be made up in hope of winning the Premier League title.
West Ham host the Gunners in the 5.30pm kick-off after a tough start to the season. However, in their previous four games, Julian Lopetegui's men have picked up seven points from a possible 12.
Trips to the London Stadium have previously offered a difficult test for Arsenal and this one will be no different. With the injury problems at London Colney, Arteta could be without a number of first-team players.
Gabriel Magalhaes picked up a knock in the 5-1 Champions League win over Sporting CP on Tuesday and was taken off with just over five minutes of normal time to play. Arteta confirmed the Brazilian had some "discomfort" and on Friday, in his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard confirmed he would have to "wait and see" if the Brazilian is fit for the weekend.
Should Gabriel be out of the trip to West Ham, it would compound the problems in defence for Arsenal. Ben White is out for a number of months with a knee injury while Takehiro Tomiyasu is not set to return anytime soon.
Jakub Kiwior is the main contender to replace Gabriel in the heart of Arteta's defence alongside William Saliba. The Poland international has played five times in the Premier League this season, all coming off the bench.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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