A seven-point lead atop the Premier League desk will probably be Arsenal’s in the event that they beat West Ham on the Emirates Stadium this Boxing Day night. With Newcastle now occupying second place, maybe quickly, the first-placed Gunners can decide up the place they left off with a convincing efficiency below the floodlights.
It has been a rollercoaster World Cup break for Mikel Arteta’s aspect, now shorn of Gabriel Jesus for probably a few months following his knee harm. Eddie Nketiah leads the road in consequence with William Saliba match to begin for Arsenal.
West Ham, in the meantime, are balancing harm points up entrance themselves however do have Michail Antonio obtainable after an harm. Just one level off the drop zone, the strain is cranking up on David Moyes to ship the Hammers up the desk. Comply with all of the motion reside by way of Normal Sport’s match weblog, with Malik Ouzia offering skilled evaluation from the bottom!
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Malik Ouzia at Emirates Stadium
Martin Odegaard’s first contact is simply beautiful. That’s a number of occasions now he’s discovered a little bit of area between the traces however has needed to obtain the ball at awkward heights or with a bit an excessive amount of tempo on. It doesn’t appear to matter.
12 minutes: Xhaka latches onto Odegaard’s go and swings a proper boot at an effort that dribbles properly for Fabianski to say.
10 minutes: A robust first ten minutes for Arsenal however their left flank has been focused by West Ham, Bowen sending a nice cross in laborious and low. Ramsdale palms away.
9 minutes: An unlucky first reserving of the sport as Bowen will get the ball but additionally a lot of man, particularly Martinelli.
Malik Ouzia at Emirates Stadium
A let-off for West Ham and nearly the right begin from Arsenal, who’ve been on the entrance foot in these first couple of minutes.
Constructive early indicators when it comes to the link-up between Nketiah and Saka which may very well be fascinating as a result of Jesus has tended to be a lot stronger linking with Martinelli on the other flank.
7 minutes: Appropriate name.
Saka wasn’t offside because the preliminary go got here in however he did get a contact to flick it onto the offside Nketiah.
From there, a pleasant lay-off noticed the England winger thrash it dwelling – nevertheless it’s chalked off.
GGGGOO-NO!
4 minutes: Arsenal have the ball behind the online!
The flag is up although after Saka’s end however VAR will examine that…
Malik Ouzia at Emirates Stadium
It was a superb deal with from Declan Rice on Gabriel Martinelli and I believe loads of West Ham’s gamers would’ve been completely satisfied to play on there however Lukasz Fabianski nonetheless has mates in these elements.
2 minutes: A 4-2-3-1 formation for each groups with Nketiah flanked by Martinelli and Saka. Antonio up prime for West Ham.
A brief break as Martinelli feels the after-effects of a troublesome however truthful problem from Rice. He’ll keep on.
Kick off!
Right here we go…
Arsenal vs West Ham LIVE!