We may only be one game into the season, but Arsenal can still take some small satisfaction from being top of the table.
Having run rings around Fulham on the opening day, winning 3-0 at Craven Cottage thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Magalhaes and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mikel Arteta’s side picked up where they left off last term.
Gabriel impressed on his Arsenal debut, as did Willian. While the former excelled in the middle of Arteta’s back three and contributed to a clean sheet, the latter tallied two assists and was unlucky not to get a goal himself.
Arsenal are now gearing up for their first home game of the season against West Ham, who lost 2-0 to Newcastle at the London Stadium last weekend.
In his one meeting with David Moyes as a manager, just before football was suspended in March, Arteta came out on top with a 1-0 win. Arsenal beat the Hammers home and away in the Premier League last season, a feat they only repeated against Newcastle.
Going back further, Arsenal have won four out of their last five meetings with West Ham. The sole exception came in Unai Emery’s first season, when they were downed at the London Stadium by a thumping goal from Declan Rice.
Arsenal have some fitness issues to contend with, but Arteta is unlikely to make drastic changes to the line-up which faced Fulham.
Here’s how he could set up his side on Saturday.
Defence
David Luiz missed out against Fulham after suffering a neck spasm but, according to the latest update from Arsenal’s medical team, he’s “making good progress” and back in full training. Rob Holding, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney all performed well against Fulham, however, so Arteta has no need to rush him back immediately.
Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles excelled in the wing-back roles last weekend and should keep their starting spots.
With Emi Martinez joining Aston Villa earlier this week, Bernd Leno is the undisputed first choice between the sticks.
Meanwhile, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers, Sokratis and Pablo Mari remain sidelined. Sokratis and Mari should return to training later in the month, while Mustafi and Chambers are aiming for October.
Midfield
Despite Mohamed Elneny’s unexpected reintegration into the squad, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him lose his starting spot against West Ham. Dani Ceballos should be back up to speed after returning on loan from Real Madrid at the start of the month and, while nobody can fault Elneny’s work rate, Ceballos is the more dynamic midfielder.
While there were reports that Granit Xhaka might be a doubt with an ankle knock earlier this week, there was no mention of him in Arsenal’s latest medical update. Presuming Arteta is satisfied that he’s fully fit, he will start at the base of midfield.
Attack
Though Bukayo Saka would be the most obvious candidate for a start were Arteta looking to tweak his front line, it was hard to fault Aubameyang, Lacazette and Willian last weekend.
Eddie Nketiah would also be an option were Arteta looking to rotate, but he’s more likely to get a game against Leicester in the League Cup next week. With Willian ahead of him, Nicolas Pepe may also have to wait for his first start of the season.
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