(Football news) After the conclusion of the World Cup, the Premier League is back in action for Boxing Day. Arsenal are currently top of the table and 5 points above defending champions Manchester City. Their first game back will be against West Ham at the Emirates stadium. Not many people would’ve expected Arsenal to be on the top of the table at any point in this season but Mikel Arteta has managed to do it. This is the period which is the most tricky due to fixture constraints and World Cup fatigue. Arsenal don’t have a very deep squad and that is why they will definitely be looking to make a couple of signings in January. 

Arsenal will be without Gabriel Jesus who suffered an injury during the World Cup. There is no timeline on the Brazilian’s return but it won’t be anytime soon. Reiss Nelson is another absentee as he injured himself in the friendly against Juventus. William Saliba was with France till the World Cup final but he should start the match as he only played 27 minutes in Qatar.

Bukayo Saka is the Arsenal player who played the most minutes at the World Cup, it will be interesting to see how Arteta uses him. Emile Smith Rowe is also out while Oleksandr Zinchenko is a doubt. As for West Ham, Kurt Zouma is out while Michail Antonio, Gianluca Scamacca, Nayef Aguerd and Aaron Cresswell are all doubtful. 

West Ham are currently struggling at 16th in the Premier League having lost their last 3 matches before the World Cup. If there is one man who can turn things around for them then it is David Moyes. West Ham will need to keep Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka at bay which is an incredibly difficult task. This is the hammer’s toughest fixture till February and a result at the Emirates will be a massive confidence booster for them.

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