Arsenal is back to good form in all competitions this season. The team is now in contention for the Premier League title competing in the top 5 of the League table. If the Gunners manage to defeat their next opponent they will push above the title holders Manchester City.
A tough away game is lined up for Mikel Arteta’s men as they face West Ham at the London Stadium. This will be a tricky fixture as West Ham beat an in-form Newcastle United 2-0 in an away format. The Hammers will be on a confidence rope as the match is set at their home.
Arsenal will take up this challenge as they are coming from an impressive win themselves. The Gunners beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League with a dominating scoreline of 5-1. This win has pushed the North London giants to the 7th position of the European championship table.
The next will be very important for Arsenal as the three points will bring them very close to chances of winning silverware this season. These crucial points can make a huge impact on the team’s position by the end of this campaign.
One problem that has annoyed the Gunners this season is injuries. There are many important players who have missed out on crucial games this season. The absence of these players has impacted Arsenal’s style of play. There is news that three players will miss out on the game against West Ham.
Three important players ruled out of Arsenal squad vs West Ham
Arsenal is set to face long-term setbacks in their defensive lineups. There is a major concern for the North London giants as three of their centre-backs will miss out on important games. Mikel Arteta will have to churn out a solution for this problem.
Gabriel Magalhaes is first on the list as he suffered an injury in the previous match. The Brazilian centre-back suffered a knock in the second half of the game against Sporting Lisbon. He was substituted after the 50th minute and will remain on the sidelines in the next match. Mikel Arteta spoke about Magalhaes’s situation in the pre-match conference he said-
“Gabriel is experiencing discomfort. We’ll have to wait and see”.
There are two more defenders who will be recording from Mikel Arteta’s side. Ben White is one player who is recovering from knee surgery. The English defender has been struggling with injuries this season and Jurien Timber has taken his place till February.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is also set to be out of the Arsenal squad because of his knee injury this season. The Japanese defender had exhausted his already injured knee which will now keep him out for the season. Riccardo Calafiori will cover the position for Tomiyasu.
William Saliba will be paired with Jakub Kiwior if Gabriel Magalhaes is ruled to be in recovery. Kiwior has made 5 appearances for the Gunners this season mostly as a substitute. The Polish international will start for Arsenal this season due to injury concerns as per now arsenal.
How will the Gunners square up against the hammers?
The next game is of utmost importance for Arsenal this season. The north London club will look to acquire the full three points rather than sharing a point each with West Ham. This game will not be easy as the match will slightly be tilted towards the Hammers.
West Ham defeated an in-form Newcastle United where the team scored two goals. This campaign has been the season of underdogs and Arsenal definitely would not overlook the Hammers. St. James Park will be a tough venue for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta is confident with his team and will soon surely seek out the gaps in the defence. The club has faced many injury concerns this season but has come out decently. They are squaring off well in the English League.
Arsenal have a chance to take a higher pedestal than the title holders Manchester City this season. Liverpool will host Pep Guardiola’s men at Anfield. If the Reds beat Manchester City it will push them down the Premier League table.
The Gunners are seeking victory against West Ham that will at least put them in the second position of the table. There will be a 9-point gap between the table toppers Liverpool and Arsenal if both teams get a win this weekend.
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