Arsenal return to the Emirates on Saturday as they get ready to host West Ham United while looking to apply more pressure on league leaders Liverpool, so let’s take a look at the latest team news.
The Gunners with a depleted attack found it difficult to break down Leicester City but were able to get the 2-0 win. That kind of resolve and perseverance will be needed at the weekend as well to get the better of the Hammers.
As for the team news, the major absentees are quite a few. Both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are out for an extended period of time. Apart from these two, the long-term injuries are for Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Both have had surgeries and in the case of the Japanese international, it might be the end of the year before we see him in action. The one bit of good news for Mikel Arteta is the return of Ben White as it finally offers the defence a little respite.
Arsenal Fever View:
The north Londoners have to focus on gaining as many points as possible and hope for Liverpool to slip up. That is the position they find themselves in. There is no point in talking about results that have already happened.
Arteta would be hoping that the team will be able to tide over until both Saka and Martinelli make a return. With the Champions League also to play for, it is not going to be easy but overcoming this challenging period will leave the team in good stead.
West Ham have not been in the best of form but still have a couple of players that can cause real damage. And their physicality is one of their best aspects so that is one factor the home defence has to be wary of.
Arsenal have been given a lifeline in the race for the league title with Aston Villa drawing against Liverpool. Though the deficit is still too big, the team and especially the players need to believe that they can get the job done. As long as they are able to put pressure on the leaders, anything can happen.
Read More: Who is Mikel Merino? Arsenal’s potential new midfield star
