Matchday 17 of the Premier League returns with several mouthwatering fixtures for fans all over the world with League leaders Arsenal taking on the hammers.
Mikel Arteta’s men could move eight points clear of Manchester City temporarily if they manage to edge past David Moyes’ men at home.
However, the hammers lie in 16th place and a defeat could mean a drop into the relegation zone despite all the great players they posses.
The winter transfer market could be an answer for Arteta’s men if they want to compete for the title with star man Gabriel Jesus ruled out with an injury from the World Cup.
Fifteen years ago, Arsenal found themselves top of the table at Christmas yet failed to win the title after a horrific injury to star striker Eduardo Da Silva and it looks the same for Mikel Arteta this season.
Arsenal moved five points clear of Man City in the last premier league game when they took on Wolves and are on a nine game unbeaten streak at home in the League.
The Gunners have not lost a game on boxing day at home since 1987 and will look to maintain this record.
The hammers failed to record a victory in their last Premier League games with a loss to Crystal Palace and Leicester City just before the World Cup.
West Ham overcame Cambridge United 4-2 and Udinese 3-1 before playing out a 1-1 draw with Fulham last Saturday and look to continue this fine run yet face greater opposition in League leaders Arsenal.
Arsenal have four wins and a draw in their last five Premier League games this season as the hammers however lie with just a win and four loses.
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Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus after his knee injury against Cameroon at World Cup which has him ruled out for the next three months.
Eddie Nketsiah however is likely to replace the Brazilian as Reiss Nelson as well is ruled out with a hamstring injury after the Juventus friendly.
Emile Smith Rowe and Oleksandr Zinchenko also find themselves missing out on this one with groin injuries and calf injuries respectively.
The hammers also have attacking players missing this this tie with Michael Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca ruled out with Calf and Ankle injuries respectively.
Defenders Nayef Aguerd and Aaron Cresswell fight uphill battles to be fit for the match but Maxwel Cornet might overcome a calf twinge, as Kurt Zouma remains out for the long term after undergoing knee surgery.
Arsenal will most likely look to control the game in midfield with Odegaard, Partey and Xhaka pulling up the strings.
Rice and Pacqueta return after their quarter final elimination from the World Cup and will look to counter Arteta’s tactics to grab all points for the hammers.
It looks to be interesting how Eddie Nketsiah fares in this tie coming up against this West Ham backline.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Kehrer, Dawson, Ogbonna, Palmieri; Rice, Soucek; Fornals, Paqueta, Benrahma; Bowen.
