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Predicted Arsenal XI vs West Ham: Unchanged from Anfield

By James Cormack

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal on the bench before the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal on the bench before the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table could be trimmed to three points by the time they kick off at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Man City will be expected to beat Leicester on Saturday evening and ramp up the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of their visit to West Ham.

The Gunners’ lengthy winning run was brought to a halt at Anfield last weekend, but a point on Liverpool’s home patch shouldn’t be scoffed at. Nevertheless, they’ve got to return to winning ways on Sunday, and here’s the starting XI Arteta is likely to pick against the Hammers.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs West Ham

Granit Xhaka battles Arsenal transfer target Declan Rice in the reverse fixture. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Granit Xhaka battles Arsenal transfer target Declan Rice in the reverse fixture. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – Fresh off his finest performance in an Arsenal shirt, Rambo will be hoping to secure his first clean sheet since 12 March as he goes in search of the Golden Glove.

Ben White (RB) – A shoo-in given Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury status. Would love to see him join Bukayo Saka in the final third as much as possible in a bid to overwhelm West Ham’s left-hand side.

Rob Holding (CB) – I don’t think we’re going to see William Saliba until the trip to the Etihad with Holding continuing to deputise at the heart of defence.

Gabriel (CB) – The Brazilian was excellent against Liverpool and there’s no doubt he’ll partner Holding at the London Stadium this weekend.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – There are some clamouring for a rare Kieran Tierney start, but there’s not a chance Arteta ditches Zinchenko down the stretch given his significance in possession.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – We should be seeing Partey at the base of midfield until the end of the season should he remain injury-free.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – Xhaka’s role in Liverpool’s comeback last week has been overblown, and I’m sure Arteta wouldn’t have been too peeved with his midfielder’s actions at Anfield. He’ll continue in the side on Sunday.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – The skipper’s display at Anfield was criticised and a narrative is beginning to emerge regarding his performances in ‘big’ games. Every game down the stretch is huge for the Gunners, and Odegaard will be wanting to dispel a few myths over the next few weeks.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – It was a rare quiet outing for Arsenal’s starboy on Merseyside last time out, but he’ll fancy his chances one-on-one against Aaron Cresswell on Sunday. Although, I’m sure David Moyes will have a couple of ploys up his sleeve to mitigate Saka’s threat.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) – It didn’t take long for Jesus to find his groove after returning from a three-month injury layoff. The Brazilian has scored three in his last two outings and will be hoping to continue his fine run of form in east London.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – Martinelli was dynamite in spells last weekend and has been unstoppable at times over the past month. The Brazilian continues to produce in the final third.