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West Ham Preview: Team News, Injury Updates and Predicted Lineups

by
Anthony Okike
August 9, 2015

Arsenal’s last home game against West Ham was triumphant

The Premier League kicked off yesterday and with it, the drama, excitement and the whole nine yards. While I was almost bored to death watching Manchester United against Spurs, the Chelsea vs. Swansea game got me off the edge of my seat because of the all-action display, especially from the away side. C’mon, have you seen Branislav Ivanovic destroyed like that before? Not to talk of Jonjo Shelvey’s audacious corner kicks that almost deceived the goalie twice. Someone, preferably Garry Monk, has to have a chat with Bafetembi Gomis about his celebration. Maybe he’s try so hard to get his own celebration in the next edition of FIFA coming up towards the tail end of the year.

The table has began to take shape with teams securing all important results and Arsenal would want to continue their great form with a home clash against West Ham. The Gunners showed that they could win dirty when they battled hard at Wembley to win the Community Shield against Chelsea so, they’d be hoping to resume business against a West Ham side that was recently dumped out of Europe by a Romanian side called Astra Giurgiu.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal have won their last 10 league and cup games against West Ham, including nine Premier League matches. West Ham will have to wary about Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott, that have scored five times against them. The Gunners would be hoping to secure the points that would give them an edge at the start of the new campaign.

Arsenal Injury / Suspension News

Alexis Sanchez (lacking match fitness), David Ospina (lacking match fitness), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (knee), Mathieu Flamini (ankle) and Danny Welbeck (knee)

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Arsenal 4-2-3-1 football formation

West Ham Team News

West Ham are winless in 12 Premier League away games (D5, L7) since a 2-1 victory at West Brom on 2 December 2014. However, in Dimitri Payet, they possess the most creative force in Europe last season, as the stats books tell us that he created 135 chances for Marseille last season. West Ham has a shambolic record at the Emirates, winning just once in their last eight visits. The game could see West Ham skipper, Kevin Nolan, make his 400th Premier League appearance. He currently has 99 goals and I’m hoping he doesn’t get his century today.

West Ham Injury / Suspension News

Carl Jenkinson (can’t play against parent club), Joey O’ Brien (knock), Winston Reid (knock), Matt Jarvis (knock), Pedro Obiang (knock), Andy Carroll (knee) and Enner Valencia (knee)

West Ham Predicted Lineup

West Ham United 4-4-2 football formation