West Ham United return to motion within the Premier League tomorrow afternoon in the hunt for a primary victory of 2024, however with title-chasing Arsenal travelling to the London Stadium, it definitely will not be a straightforward activity.
David Moyes’ facet are nonetheless in a good place in seventh place however final secured a win earlier than the brand new yr, dispatching – drum roll – Arsenal on the Emirates Stadium, having beforehand knocked the Gunners out of the Carabao Cup earlier within the marketing campaign.
Does Moyes have Arteta’s quantity? Do not be so positive. Arsenal have clicked into gear just lately and swept Liverpool apart final weekend, simply hours after Manchester United beat West Ham 3-0 at Previous Trafford.
Lucas Paqueta stays on the sidelines whereas Michail Antonio is nearing a return from a knee damage, although Sunday’s conflict will come too quickly for the veteran ahead.
With this in thoughts, Moyes would possibly make simply the one alteration to his staff, with restricted choices and an unwillingness to make drastic adjustments seemingly protecting the beginning XI largely the identical.
1
GK – Alphonse Areola
Alphonse Areola has statistically been the Premier League’s greatest shot-stopper this season and Irons supporters will probably be delighted after Moyes’ affirmation that he’s in line to start out after coming off injured on the Theatre of Goals final weekend.
Premier League Goalkeepers 23/24: Save Share |
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---|---|---|---|
# |
Participant |
Membership |
Stat |
1. |
Alphonse Areola |
West Ham United |
76.7% |
2. |
Alisson |
Liverpool |
75.3% |
3. |
Nick Pope |
Newcastle United |
73.6% |
4. |
Andre Onana |
Manchester United |
73.4% |
4. |
Jordan Pickford |
Everton |
73.4% |
Supply: FBref |
Arsenal will you should definitely pepper the hosts’ aim at any alternative – yielding the third-highest photographs whole (380) this season – and the Frenchman will probably be essential.
2
RB – Vladimir Coufal
Vladimir Coufal has provided 5 assists from 21 matches within the Premier League this season whereas additionally averaging two tackles and 4.4 ball recoveries per sport, as per Sofascore.
He’ll should be on his sport towards the fleet-footed Gabriel Martinelli, who has three targets from his final three within the high flight.
3
CB – Kurt Zouma
Kurt Zouma has been immense as soon as once more this season throughout his 19 Premier League appearances, with the membership captain making extra clearances than every other West Ham participant.
The imposing Frenchman might want to command his backline and outmuscle his opponents to make sure that the house facet preserve a way of management.
4
CB – Nayef Aguerd
Nayef Aguerd has not loved the identical fruits this season however stays an essential member of Moyes’ staff, beginning all 17 league matches when accessible this time period.
The Moroccan additionally ranks among the many high 5% of centre-backs throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for targets scored per 90, as per FBref, and can open up a useful further dimension tomorrow afternoon.
5
LB – Emerson Palmieri
No West Ham participant has made extra tackles than Emerson Palmieri’s 64 within the Premier League this season and the skilled Italian’s fortitude will probably be paramount to his facet’s prospects within the forthcoming fixture.
His successful mentality and steely strategy are precisely what is required to stifle the specter of the dynamic Bukayo Saka.
6
CM – Kalvin Phillips
As soon as described as a “Rolls-Royce” midfielder by journalist Josh Bunting, it has been some time since Kalvin Phillips has lived as much as such effusive remarks.
He is struggled to impress throughout his first few matches for West Ham, becoming a member of on mortgage from Manchester Metropolis final month, however the £150k-per-week machine is industrious and combative and can make an enormous distinction if he’s on his a-game.
Regardless of his woes since departing Leeds United for Pep Guardiola’s undertaking, Phillips nonetheless ranks among the many high 2% of midfielders in Europe’s high 5 leagues for cross completion and passes tried per 90, together with his ball-playing capability giving Moyes one thing to think about forward of choice.
7
CM – Edson Alvarez
West Ham will face Declan Rice as soon as once more on Sunday afternoon after promoting the England worldwide to Arteta’s facet in a £105m switch.
Edson Alvarez arrived from Ajax because the alternative and has been wonderful thus far, described as “invaluable” by pundit Rio Ferdinand.
The Mexican covers a lot floor within the centre of the park and averages 2.5 tackles and 5.3 ball recoveries per outing.
8
RW – Ben Johnson
Missing choices up entrance, Ben Johnson was fielded at right-wing final day out and gave a superb account of himself, finishing 94% of his passes, taking three photographs and successful 5 of his eight contested floor duels.
The likes of Maxwel Cornet will probably be desperate to obtain a beginning berth however Johnson ought to hold his place.
9
AM – James Ward-Prowse
With Paqueta out injured, James Ward-Prowse will probably be anticipated to be the Hammers’ chief inventive power, and having provided ten assists from 32 fixtures since signing from Southampton in a £30m transfer final summer time, the 29-year-old has the instruments to just do that.
10
LW – Mohammed Kudus
What a signing. What a participant. Mohammed Kudus selected West Ham over Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea and the Irons trustworthy are eternally grateful for it.
The electrical Ghanaian will seemingly play from the left once more to accommodate Johnson on the alternate flank however he impressed with some enterprising drives and will discover success towards Arsenal.
11
CF – Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen will not be a striker however he hasn’t achieved a half-bad job because the focal frontman over current months, albeit now on a five-match dry spell within the Premier League.
Nonetheless, the 27-year-old has been in high-quality fettle with 14 strikes in all competitions and has a aim and two assists from two matches towards Arsenal already this season.
West Ham predicted line-up in full vs Arsenal: (GK) Alphonse Areola; (RB) Vladimir Coufal, (CB) Kurt Zouma, (CB) Konstantinos Mavropanos, (LB) Emerson; (CM) Kalvin Phillips, (CM) Edson Alvarez; (RW) Ben Johnson, (AM) James Ward-Prowse, (LW) Mohammed Kudus; (CF) Jarrod Bowen.