Arsenal will take on West Ham in a crucial Premier League fixture, looking to gain ground on title contenders Liverpool. After Liverpool's draw against Aston Villa midweek, the Gunners have an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table to just five points. With Liverpool set to visit Manchester City on Sunday, Arsenal will aim to apply pressure on their rivals with a strong performance.
However, Arsenal faces some challenges, with several key attacking players sidelined due to injuries. Mikel Arteta must make a crucial tactical decision, particularly regarding whether to deploy Mikel Merino as a striker after his impressive performance against Leicester last weekend.
West Ham, on the other hand, has struggled under new manager Graham Potter, securing just one victory in their last five league matches. Their troubles have been compounded by the loss of Lucas Paqueta, who suffered an ankle injury during training this week. Despite these setbacks, the Hammers will be determined to cause an upset and climb the table.
With both teams having much at stake, this fixture promises to be a thrilling encounter that could have significant implications for the Premier League title race.