Predicted Arsenal line-up vs West Ham United

Ed Davison | 25 December 2022 | Arsenal, Arsenal News, Matchdays | No Comments

Arsenal return to Premier League action after the World Cup break against West Ham United on Boxing Day.

The Gunners are currently five points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the standings and manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping that his team can sustain the form following the restart.

The Spaniard could be forced to make at least one change tomorrow. Gabriel Jesus underwent a knee surgery earlier this month and he is likely to be sidelined for another 10 weeks.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Aaron Ramsdale has started in goal during the last two friendlies against Juventus and Luton Town. The England international has played every minute of the club’s Premier League campaign. He is expected to start between the sticks against the Hammers.

There could be a solitary change in defence from the 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month. William Saliba has just reported for training after being part of the France squad that reached the World Cup final. He may not be ushered straight into the line-up.

Rob Holding looks likely to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence while Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko should occupy the full-back positions. Zinchenko was absent for the 0-0 draw against Luton, but Arteta clarified that he was only being rested.

In midfield, it should be the familiar pairing of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, who should be well prepared for the game following their early exits from the World Cup. Xhaka was at his creative best before the break and hopefully, he will continue where he left off.

Further forward, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are nailed-on starters in the left wing, number 10 and right wing positions respectively. Eddie Nketiah is expected to lead the attack after Jesus’ setback which came out of the blue.

Nketiah bagged five goals from seven games during the final weeks of last season and the Gunners need him to step up for the club to stay in the title hunt. Arsenal are actively on the search for another striker and seem to be considering a move for Joao Felix.

How Arsenal could line up against West Ham