Arsenal are preparing for the return of the Premier League on Boxing Day when West Ham United come to the Emirates Stadium to try and end their unbeaten run at home in the league. How the clubs respond after the World Cup interruption remains a mystery but getting off to a good start will be key.
Arsenal have played a number of friendlies with mixed results thus far with the potential for another behind-closed-doors friendly still to come. Sitting five points clear at the top of the table has elevated the side into an unlikely title race against Manchester City but despite their lead the Gunners cannot afford to slow down.
West Ham present with their own challenges despite their poor record on the road when facing Arsenal. In the match, there are several talking points and football.london takes a look at the three biggest things that must happen for Mikel Arteta’s side during the game
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Eddie Nketiah must score
Gabriel Jesus’ injury is the most damning blow from the World Cup. The Brazilian had to undergo knee surgery after suffering a problem in his nation’s final group-stage clash with Cameroon.
Eddie Nketiah has since started all the mid-season friendlies so far and scored twice in the four matches. He got off to a good start with goals against Watford and Lyon however in the matches with AC Milan and Juventus he failed to score.
A goal against West Ham would certainly be doubly beneficial for the striker. Not only would it be a big boost to his own confidence but it would quieten the doubters that continually raise their concerns about the forward.
Three stars must avoid yellow cards
The matches against West Ham United and Brighton before the New Year have the continued jeopardy of yellow card suspensions. 2023 kicks off with a tough January that has Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United to come.
Both Ben White and Bukayo Saka are on three yellow cards for the season and until the completion of the 19th match must avoid getting two more bookings or face a suspension. If either were to get booked against West Ham, it would create a nervous scenario going into the Brighton fixture with the potential for either to miss any of the big games in the following month.
William Saliba is on four but is a doubt for the match on Boxing Day having only just returned to Europe from the World Cup. Were he to be passed fit, however, he too will be playing with the potential for a suspension.
Arsenal must win
A really simple one but Arsenal must win this game. Starting off the return to domestic action with a victory is absolutely imperative for Mikel Arteta’s side not only due to their position in the table but kicking things off again in the wrong way can create a bigger problem than the odd draw or defeat in the middle of a run of games.
It suddenly adds pressure onto the next game to get that win and with so many tricky games to come in January, Arteta will know that, respectfully, the likes of West Ham and Brighton need to have a ‘W’ next to their names on the results sheet.
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