Predicted Arsenal lineup vs West Ham: Who comes in for Havertz?

Liverpool's victory at Burnley means Arsenal will need to win back their status as Premier League leaders on Thursday night.

The Reds' triumph saw them take a two-point lead at the summit, and the Gunners must now down a buoyant West Ham outfit in their next outing.

While Arsenal's recent record against their London rivals is impressive, David Moyes' team overcame the title hopefuls in the Carabao Cup fourth round at the start of November, and their recent upsurge in form has seen them climb up to sixth in the league table.

Mikel Arteta will be without the suspended Kai Havertz for West Ham's visit, but recent reports suggest Thomas Partey could be included in the matchday squad.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs West Ham

Here's how Arsenal could line up against West Ham on Thursday.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - Raya produced a fairly serene performance at Anfield. He's certainly rediscovered his steady form since his disaster at Kenilworth Road.

Ben White (RB) - White's a shoo-in for the foreseeable given Arsenal's current injuries.

William Saliba (CB) - Off the back of a supreme showing against Liverpool, Saliba will be tasked with slowing down the in-behind darts of Jarrod Bowen.

Gabriel (CB) - The Brazilian has a huge role to play in both boxes given West Ham's proficiency from set pieces.

Jakub Kiwior (LB) - Oleksandr Zinchenko's role in possession is diminishing given Arteta's change in shape, and the Ukrainian's shoddy showing on Saturday should convince the boss to make a switch at left-back. Mohammed Kudus is in red-hot form.

Midfielders

Jorginho (DM) - The Italian was back in the matchday squad at the weekend and will be available on Thursday. I think Arteta uses Jorginho at the base in a potential pivot with Declan Rice.

Declan Rice (CM) - The inclusion of Jorginho over Emile Smith Rowe means Rice will be asked to contribute more in advanced areas. Rice faces up against his former club for the first time in the Premier League.

Martin Odegaard (CM) - The absence of Havertz should alter Arsenal's possession dynamics once more and ensure Odegaard is stationed higher up field against a stubborn West Ham block.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - Saka wasn't at his best last time out, but he's the gamebreaker Arteta will turn to on Thursday to break West Ham's resistance.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - An imposing centre-back duo awaits Jesus on Thursday, but the Brazilian boasts the guile to outwit the West Ham defence in and around the box.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - The Belgian hasn't started a Premier League game since the win over Wolves. Gabriel Martinelli's poor showing at Anfield and recent unproductivity could see Trossard come back into the team.