[4-2-3-1]: Sterling told to leave, Academy winger promoted and Bukayo Saka returns- Arsenal predicted lineup against West Ham as Raheem Sterling is out of Arteta’s plan and has been told to leave
Arsenal are aiming to eat into Liverpool’s nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table when they face West Ham in east London on Saturday evening.
The Gunners head into the bout off the back of two convincing victories after the November international break. After casting aside Nottingham Forest with aplomb, Mikel Arteta’s side produced their best performance of a tough season thus far in the Champions League on Tuesday night when they thumped Sporting CP 5-1 in Lisbon.
It was a statement performance and result, but Arsenal’s current deficit in the ‘title race’ means there’s little margin for error the rest of the way. We’re hoping for a Manchester City triumph at Anfield on Sunday – who’d have thunk it?!
They’re facing a West Ham team that’ll be buoyed by their 2-0 victory at Newcastle on Monday night. Julen Lopetegui has endured a pretty wretched start to his reign at the London Stadium, with the Hammers particularly struggling without the ball. The new boss will hope his side’s triumph on Tyneside is followed up with a positive result against a hungry Gunners outfit.
Here’s our preview of West Ham vs Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Arsenal team news
There are no fresh Arsenal injury concerns off the back of their impressive triumph in midweek. BEN WHITE was back in the matchday squad having recovered from a long-term knee injury, but he’s going to find minutes hard to come by in the coming weeks.
Arteta rotated his starting XI for the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, and he may be tempted to shuffle his pack in east London given that Manchester United visit the Emirates next Wednesday. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the boss opts for the same team from Tuesday night. Many would argue that is the Gunners’ strongest XI.
Takehiro Tomiyasu absent.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs West Ham: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard.
