Predicted Arsenal line-up vs West Ham, Smith Rowe returns

Arsenal will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host West Ham United in tonight’s Premier League derby at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have the opportunity to return to the top of the standings with a victory over David Moyes’ side. They are currently unbeaten in 14 league derbies in the top-flight.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya has established himself as the Gunners’ number one ahead of Aaron Ramsdale. He has missed just one game in the Premier League since the September international break. The Spaniard was ineligible to face his parent club Brentford. He is expected to start in goal tonight.

In front of him, it should be the same backline from the 1-1 draw at Liverpool. Ben White will continue at right-back with William Saliba partnering Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence.

Oleksandr Zinchenko had a mixed run of fortunes against Mohamed Salah last weekend but his creativity in the final third makes him an ideal fit for the Gunners in the left-back position.

Declan Rice stood out with another strong display at Anfield and he should continue in the number six role. It could be time for Emile Smith Rowe to feature in central midfield with Kai Havertz sidelined.

The £48 million-rated star picked up his fifth yellow card of the league campaign at Anfield and as a result, he will be serving an automatic one-game suspension against the Hammers.

Meanwhile, Smith Rowe has not started a game since the 5-0 win over Sheffield United after which he picked up a knee injury. He could be reinstated into the starting XI tonight.

Martin Odegaard will start in his preferred number 10 role but we anticipate a change out wide.

Gabriel Martinelli has been lacking confidence with his finishing lately and this could pave the way for Leandro Trossard to make the starting line-up from the left side of the attack.

The rest of the front line should stay the same for Arsenal. Bukayo Saka looks set to continue from the right wing with Gabriel Jesus leading the attack once more ahead of Eddie Nketiah.

How Arsenal could line up vs West Ham

Stats from Transfermarkt.com