Gabriel and Thomas Partey are both in contention to start for Arsenal at West Ham
Arsenal have come out swinging with thumping wins over Nottingham Forest and Sporting since the end of the international break.
Next up is a trip to West Ham as the Gunners look to continue fighting their way up the Premier League table. Arsenal head into the weekend nine points off the pace, but Mikel Arteta will have a talented group of players to choose from at the London Stadium.
Here, Express Sport takes you through how the league’s fourth-place side is likely to line up…
David Raya has played every minute in the Premier League and Champions League so far this season, with back-up options Neto and Tommy Setford hardly getting a look-in.
Defence: Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
Arsenal’s main defensive concern surrounds the fitness of Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian was forced off late in the Sporting game and Arteta is yet to provide specifics about his condition. But he seemed to be in good spirits on the bench and walked onto the pitch to celebrate after the final whistle, suggesting that a speedy comeback should be in the offing.
With Ben White still out, Jurrien Timber is a shoo-in to continue at right-back, with Riccardo Calafiori on the left. Meanwhile William Saliba is one of the first names on the team sheet in central defence.
Midfield: Odegaard, Partey, Rice
Martin Odegaard was a huge miss for Arsenal during his time out injured, and it is no coincidence to have seen their form pick up since his return. The Norwegian is set to feature in a midfield three with Declan Rice, but the third player is up for debate.
The Gunners paid big money to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad this summer. While he could be a fixture of Arteta’s midfield in years to come, Thomas Partey is still marginally ahead in the pecking order and should get the nod.
Bukayo Saka has racked up 12 goal contributions in 11 Premier League games so far this term, making him untouchable on the right flank. Kai Havertz has not been quite so productive, but his goal against Sporting last time out should be enough to see him retain his spot up front against West Ham.
Of the three attacking positions, the left-wing spot is where things are most likely to be shaken up. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are both in the frame, and although Martinelli has not been at his very best this season, he may just have done enough to keep his Belgian team-mate at bay for now.
