Arsenal will hope to keep their recent league form going when they face London rivals West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
Since the end of the mid-season break, Mikel Arteta’s men have won both their home league games, looking sharper at both ends of the pitch.
It won’t be easy to replicate this weekend as David Moyes’ West Ham are in good form in terms of producing good performances on the pitch.
They were unlucky to not get a point against Liverpool at Anfield and followed up that impressive display by beating Southampton 3-1 last week.
So, even though Arsenal’s home record against the Hammers is exceptional, we could be in a for a cracking game.
In terms of injury news for the Gunners, Lucas Torreira joins Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney on the treatment table.
Shkodran Mustafi could be a doubt too after hobbling off in Europa League defeat against Olympiakos.
That all being said, here’s how we think Arteta may line his side up…
GK - Bernd Leno
Leno is Arsenal’s first-choice keeper and should be in goal against the Hammers.
He’ll be aiming to keep another clean sheet.
RB - Hector Bellerin
Despite showing some shaky form in the last few games, we think Bellerin will keep his place in the XI.
CB - Pablo Mari
Mari was brilliant on his debut against Portsmouth in the FA Cup. We think that performance alone deserves a place in the XI this afternoon for his league debut.
CB - David Luiz
Luiz has been Arsenal’s number one centre-back since the arrival of Arteta.
We think he’s set to be in the team against West Ham.
LB - Bukayo Saka
Saka has somewhat cemented his place at left-back with others injured in that position.
The youngster is probably one of the first names on the teamsheet these days.
CM - Granit Xhaka
Xhaka has held the midfield together well in the past month or so.
Arsenal fans will want his form to continue as they aim for a late push towards the Champions League places.
CM - Dani Ceballos
Ceballos has done well in the two league games he has started since the break.
Irrespective of Torreira’s absence, we think the Spaniard is now a starter.
RW - Nicolas Pepe
Pepe has been doing well, but we feel as if he needs to be more clinical in the final third.
The Ivorian is still a threat to opposition defenders, and West Ham already have a taste of that when he scored a beauty against them at the London Stadium. More of that today please!
CAM - Mesut Ozil
The previous game he played was against Olympiakos, where he was anonymous, to say the least.
The German, we feel, will need to be on it to help the team break down a well-drilled West Ham defence.
LW - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The captain got a well-deserved rest in the FA Cup.
He must be raring to go again against the Hammers.
ST - Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah has been in good goal-scoring form, and we think he should be ahead of Alexandre Lacazette in the pecking order.