EPL: How Arsenal Could Line Up Against West Ham On Boxing Day Clash

That’s down to a handful of injuries and players who participated in Qatar 2022.

Summer signing Gabriel Jesus will miss the match after undergoing knee surgery – which is expected to keep him on the sidelines until March meaning that Eddie Nketiah will step into his shoes for the time being.

Jesus is currently joined in the infirmary by Reiss Nelson, who suffered a hamstring injury in a friendly defeat to Juventus last weekend, while Emile Smith Rowe (groin) should not be risked just yet.

However, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are seemingly set to make their returns to the attacking line in any case, as Martin Odegaard wears the captain’s armband from the number 10 spot.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have resumed their effective midfield partnership, but William Saliba will need a once-over after reaching the World Cup final with France, albeit while playing just one match.

Saliba‘s lack of game time in Qatar could therefore see him given the green light to join Gabriel Magalhaes at the back, with Ben White occupying his regular right-back role after leaving the England camp early for personal reasons.

Kieran Tierney will likely take his place at left-back due to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s calf issue, as Aaron Ramsdale holds off the threat of the impressive Matt Turner to start in goal.

Reiss Nelson will also miss the match after picking up a thigh injury during the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat to Juventus last week.

Emile Smith Rowe is in contention to return to the fold following his recovery from a groin injury.

Despite missing all three of the north Londoners’ mid-season friendly, left-back Oleksandr Zinechenko is also a potential starter.

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But Kieran Tierney is likely to start ahead of the Ukranian, who is understood to be still dealing with the lingering effects of a calf strain.

Arsenal possible starting lineup vs West Ham:

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