West Ham vs Arsenal predicted lineups and team news | OneFootball

A derby in the capital draws the focus for the 5.30 kick-off in the Premier League as West Ham United host Arsenal at the London Stadium on Saturday.

West Ham vs Arsenal predicted lineups

West Ham (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Mavropanos, Emerson; Rodriguez, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Antonio

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Havertz, Trossard

The Hammers have struggled for consistency under Julen Lopetegui this season, but they head into this contest on the back of an impressive 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Monday night.

The Gunners, meanwhile, will be brimming with confidence after their stunning 5-1 victory over Sporting CP in the Champions League in Lisbon on Tuesday and, unsurprisingly, they will be favourites for success in this contest.

Gunners could be back on track with victory

A run of four Premier League games without a win has put a major dent in Arsenal’s title ambitions. But after returning to winning ways against Nottingham Forest last weekend the Gunners will be hoping that victory on Saturday can help reignite their domestic campaign.

Defeats at Bournemouth and Newcastle as well as draws with Chelsea and Premier League leaders Liverpool has left the Gunners nine points off the pace in fourth. But they are just one point behind second-placed Manchester City.

The abysmal form of Pep Guardiola’s men — Man City have lost five and drawn one of their last six in all competitions — has opened the door for Arsenal to climb further up the table. Despite not being at their best, defeat is no certainty for Man City when they visit Anfield on Sunday.

Therefore, a victory for Arsenal this weekend could be hugely important in the title race. If Arsenal win, they would close the gap on the Reds to six points.

Injuries have heavily affected the Gunners’ bids for a first title since 2004 in recent seasons and the absence of influential captain Martin Odegaard has been crucial in recent weeks. But he is back to full fitness and was magnificent in the win at Sporting on Tuesday.

Arsenal look to be back firing on all cylinders and, if they can perform on Saturday, then a precious victory could be secured.

West Ham vs Arsenal team news

West Ham will be without defender Jean-Clair Todibo after the Frenchman hobbled off at Newcastle on Monday night, meaning former Arsenal centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos could make his return to the starting line-up.

Striker Niclas Fullkrug is the only other major injury doubt affecting Julen Lopetegui’s squad selection, so Michail Antonio will be expected to lead the line once more for the Hammers.

Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, has no fresh injury concerns with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White the only two players remaining in the treatment room.

But the Spaniard may be tempted into making alterations after naming a strong squad in the midweek victory in Portugal, and so Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino could force their way into the first XI.