Winless in four straight games, dropping points at crucial stages, yet Arsenal find themselves second to Liverpool only behind on goal difference. It’s a London derby to look forward to on Boxing Day as Arsenal travel to the Boleyn Ground to take on West Ham in a bid to reclaim the top spot going into the new year. Liverpool play Manchester City late on Thursday and the Gunners would believe they can go into the second half of the campaign in the new year and the January Transfer Window with renewed belief to reclaim their lost glory, a silverware which has remain unsavoured for the past eight years.
A win tonight will mean that if either Liverpool or City drop points, Arsenal have every chance of getting back to the top of the table.
So what would be Arsneal’s strongest line up against the Hammers come on Boxing day? We here at Soccersouls have the answer.
Goalkeeping and Defence:
Szczesny is expected to start in the goal manning the Arsenal sticks and will have a strong defence to back him up. West Ham come into the game after a 1-3 reversal at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford last Gameweek and will be looking to make amends at home against their fearsome cross town rivals.
Bacary Sagna will take up the right back role as expected with Kieran Gibbs on the opposite slot. Both the full backs are expected to barge forward and overlap the midfielders to provide crosses into the box from either side. Speaking of the central defence, Laurent Koscielny could return for the trip to Upton park after sitting out the goalless draw with Chelsea due to a cut on his knee. However if the Frenchman isn’t fit yet, then Belgian Thomas Vermaelen will be taking up his place in the heart of the defence with German Per Mertesacker. Vermaelen after his solid display against Chelsea, would be confident enough to stop the Hammers today.