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Arsenal head to West Ham’s London Stadium knowing that three points is imperative in their bid to win the Premier League title.
A slip-up against Liverpool last weekend was the last thing Mikel Arteta’s side needed, especially as Manchester City appear to have slipped into their customary ‘destroy everybody in front of us’ mode that they tend to activate around March.
The cards are still in Arsenal’s hands though, with City only able to take the lead in the title race if they win their showdown at the Etihad Stadium on April 26.
Before that, Arsenal must beat a struggling West Ham side who are engulfed in a nine-strong battle against relegation, and they should feel good about their chances after losing just twice to the Hammers in the last 15 years.
Here’s how Arsenal may line up when David Coote blows his whistle at 2pm.
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GK: Aaron Ramsdale – Many questioned Arsenal’s decision to fork out £30m on Ramsdale after Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League in 2021. Nobody is questioning that decision now.
RB: Benjamin White – Considering White doesn’t like or watch football – he’s confessed as much on multiple occasions – he’s done a sterling job at full-back, a position that isn’t even natural.
CB: Rob Holding – Every Arsenal supporter in the land would want a fit William Saliba starting on the right side of central defence, but the Frenchman’s back issues have cast a real shadow over the club’s run-in. Holding conceded a penalty against Liverpool but there’s few alternatives available to Arteta.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes – Saliba has garnered most of the media’s attention this season, but Gabriel has quietly gone about his business and arguably has been the better performer overall.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – Was in floods of tears after Trent Alexander-Arnold got the better of him to assist Roberto Firmino’s equaliser for Liverpool at Anfield. The Ukrainian had put a hell of a shift in though and is one of the best left-backs in the division.
CM: Thomas Partey – The energy Partey provides in Arsenal’s midfield could be key to blitzing through a West Ham side that loves throwing in a inept performance every now and again.
CM: Granit Xhaka – Tried his best to lose his head when Arsenal were leading 2-0 at Anfield, bumping into Alexander-Arnold unnecessarily to start a bit of a scuffle. That edge is what’s needed in London derbies though.
CM: Martin Odegaard – The best midfielder in the Premier League this season bar none. Yep, Odegaard has even been better than Kevin De Bruyne.
RW: Bukayo Saka – Gabriel Agbonlahor claimed in the week that Saka has already achieved more than David Beckham, or words to that effect. He may be talking complete nonsense but Saka has been incredible this season for Arsenal and for England.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – The Brazilian’s absence for a few months was felt hugely by Arsenal, even though the wins kept on coming. Showed his class at Liverpool and could give West Ham the runaround with his clever movement.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Signed from Brazilian side Ituano for a modest fee of £6m in 2019, which is now proving to be sensational business. Has 14 Premier League goals to his name already and should have Vladimir Coufal on toast if he’s able to scamper in behind.
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On this edition of 90min’s Definitive European Power Rankings, part of the 90min podcast network, Sean Walsh and Jack Gallagher discuss the top 10 teams from across the continent after a busy week of Champions League and domestic football.
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