Arsenal
Arsenal will face West Ham United in their next Premier League game away from home
Arsenal travel to the London Stadium on Sunday, backed by the kind of momentum no other English side can match right now. The Gunners booked their spot in the Champions League final only a few days ago, seeing off Atlético Madrid to set up a massive date with PSG in Budapest on 30 May. Even with that on the horizon, Mikel Arteta doesn’t look like he’s about to ease off in the Premier League. I expect he’ll go with a fairly bold 4-2-3-1 here against a West Ham team that’s fighting for their life at the bottom.
The defensive setup
David Raya is a lock to start in goal, behind a back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Riccardo Calafiori. With Jurriën Timber, Mikel Merino, and Myles Lewis-Skelly all still sidelined, Arteta is admittedly a bit thin on cover in certain spots, but the starting unit is still top-tier. Saliba and Gabriel are arguably the most consistent centre-back duo in Europe right now, and Calafiori has looked more than comfortable filling in at left-back.
The midfield and attack
Declan Rice will anchor the midfield, and with Lewis-Skelly out, I’d expect Eberechi Eze to slot in next to him in that double pivot. Bukayo Saka is in brilliant form after that crucial goal against Atlético, so he’ll obviously be patrolling the right wing. Leandro Trossard should take the left side, with Eze given license to drift centrally, while Viktor Gyökeres leads the line following what’s been a really impressive debut season.
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Why does this XI get it done?
Arsenal have a fantastic record at the London Stadium lately, having not lost in their last six visits and won the last two there by a combined score of 11–3. Sitting at the top of the table and having scored in 13 straight league games, the motivation is clear. With just three matches to go and a first title in 22 years finally within reach, there’s no way Arsenal will take West Ham lightly. This XI has more than enough to go there and clinically pick up the points.
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Arsenal (4-2-3-1): David Raya – Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori – Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly – Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard – Viktor Gyökeres.
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