Merino starts, Gabriel decision made | Expected Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs West Ham United | OneFootball

Arsenal will be aiming for a second-straight Premier League win when they face West Ham United at the London Stadium this evening.

The Gunners have been in superb form since the international break with victories against Nottingham Forest and Sporting CP in all competitions.

They are nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, but have the chance to reduce the deficit before the Reds host Manchester City on Sunday.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

David Raya has been an undisputed starter for the league and European games. The Spaniard is guaranteed to keep his place in goal. He will be eyeing back-to-back clean sheets in the top-flight for the first time since August.

Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a knock during the closing stages of the 5-1 win versus Sporting CP. Manager Mikel Arteta did not provide a clear update yesterday. However, we fully expect him to make the XI for the London derby.

The Brazil international, who is close to signing a new long-term contract, should partner William Saliba in central defence with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori occupying the right and left-back positions.

There could be a solitary change in the centre of the park with Thomas Partey making way for Mikel Merino. Partey has been in good form lately, but Arsenal need to be cautious over his injury record.

Merino could get the nod to accompany Declan Rice, who was exceptional in the previous visit to the London Stadium. He provided two assists and scored a wondergoal against his former employers.

Further forward, no changes could be on the cards. Martin Odegaard should line up in the number 10 role with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli guaranteed to feature from the right and left wing.

The same can be said about Kai Havertz up front after his goalscoring return. Gabriel Jesus impressed with his link-up play versus Forest, but he was barely an attacking threat inside the opposition box.

How Arsenal could line up vs West Ham

Stats from Transfermarkt.com