West Ham United will look to pick up some good Premier League form following the World Cup break, as they take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day. 

After two phenomenal seasons, the Hammers have seen a significant drop in form since kicking off their 2022/23 Premier League campaign. Frustrating for fans, as just a handful of months ago, West Ham was a serious Europa League title contender; narrowly missing out after a semi-final loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. Currently, West Ham sits 16th in the league after playing 15 games. 

Players that had been inciting fear into opponents had essentially dropped off, like Jarrod Bowen, who for his heroics during the Hammers Europa League campaign, deservedly earned an international call-up back in May. Even the quality of Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta, players that David Moyes brought in over the summer, failed to truly shine. The Hammers lost three consecutive Premier League games before the World Cup break; fans will be expecting Moyes and the squad to return refreshed, with a new plan for the second half of the season. 

Their opponent, however, has had almost a direct opposite journey over the last few seasons. Arsenal has failed to live up to their Noughties' success, especially since the departure of long-term manager, Arsene Wenger, in 2018. But with former player and Pep Guardiola prodigy, Mikel Arteta, at the reigns, Arsenal are becoming a seriously-feared team. Arteta has received criticism over the years, but it appears he has finally found his feet as a head coach; guiding Arsenal to the top spot of the Premier League, five points clear of Manchester City.

The clever recruitment of Gabriel Jesus and Aaron Ramsdale has been imperative to the Gunners' success so far this season, impacting the game at their respective ends of the pitch. Ramsdale hails seven clean sheets so far this season, and with West Ham struggling to score goals, he will feel confident come Boxing Day. 

David Moyes and Mikel Arteta have known each other for many years, with Moyes calling Arteta his 'very good friend.' Of course, Moyes was the manager of Everton at the same time as Arteta, when the Spaniard signed in 2004. Arteta has been vocal about the impact Moyes had on all aspects of his career, expressing he was 'so grateful' for his 'huge impact.'

  • Team News

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta revealed in his pre-match presser that World Cup finalist William Saliba may be thrown straight into the team on Monday night. Although just playing 27 minutes for his country during the tournament, Saliba has been an immensely reliable player for the Gunners. 

The majority of Arteta's side is fit and healthy in preparation for the match, but a handful of attacking options are definitely out of contention. Emile Smith Rowe (groin), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Reiss Nelson (hamstring) have all been deemed unfit. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are on a return from injuries (calf and hamstring respectively), but a starting appearance for the duo is unlikely.

West Ham United

The Hammers are likely to line up at the Emirates without an out-and-out striker. Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio are in a race to be fit for Monday night, but Moyes admits the pair may miss out. Scamacca was forced off in West Ham's final friendly of the break against Fulham, after an audacious tackle from former Hammer, Issa Diop. 

Nayef Aguerd is also expected to remain in the stands, after suffering a slight injury and contracting a virus in Qatar whilst on duty for his country, Morocco. Although unlikely to make an appearance in North London, Moyes has said that Aguerd will be checked over prior to the game to determine his availability. 

  • Predicted Line-ups

Arsenal:

Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli. 

West Ham United:

Fabianski; Kehrer, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice, Downes; Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen.

  • Key Players

Arsenal: Martin Odegaard

The Gunners skipper has had a sensational start to his season. Currently his club's top scorer this campaign, Odegaard brings a depth of threat to the game. A true leader in the midfielder position with an impressive range of passing, he possesses a quality that Arsenal appears lost without. 

The Norweigan is one of only a handful that did not appear at the World Cup and has had six weeks to prepare for the Hammers. With both his attacking and defensive capabilities, West Ham will need to be on top form to mute the influence of Odegaard. 

West Ham United: Declan Rice

West Ham's captain extraordinaire has just concluded an incredible World Cup tournament with England, continuing his astonishing career trajectory. Rice has been very consistent in his performances for the Hammers, and similarly to Arsenal/Odegaard, West Ham is thrown off balance without his presence. 

Known for his leadership ability and dominance on the ball, Rice is as effective defending as he is breaking through the lines. He leads the Hammers in assists this campaign, and Arsenal will need to be cautious not to give him too much time on the ball. 

  • Match Details

Kick-off time: 20:00 (GMT)

Game location: Emirates Stadium

Where to watch: All Premier League games over the Christmas period are being streamed by Amazon Prime, available to all Prime members.