With just one win from their last six games, David Moyes’ West Ham United are going farther away from the top half of the Premier League table but back to back draws against Chelsea and Stoke City will have given them some confidence, going into this weekend’s clash against Arsenal. The Hammers travel to Emirates for the derby and a win in this fixture can lift them up to the 11th place in the points table.
Arsenal lost to Newcastle United in the last game, and are winless in their last two games in all competitions. They have no real chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season through the league but with Burnley breathing down their neck for the 6th position in the table, they cannot afford to drop any points from this game. Moyes will believe that his side has what it takes to bag more than a point from this match and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News:
In early team news, The Hammers are still without the services of Sam Byram, Winston Reid, Michail Antonio and Pedro Obiang, all of who are ruled out for this weekend. James Collins is back in training and should be up for selection for this clash.
Expected lineup (3-4-3):
Defence:
Joe Hart is now the no.1 for Moyes and the English international should keep his place under the bar against the Gunners. Angelo Ogbonna has been a regular in the backline for West Ham and should start at the heart of the defence this weekend.
Aaron Cresswell has been extremely effective as a part of the 3-man defence and should start to the left of Ogbonna while Declan Rice will keep his place in the side on his right, with Collins only just coming back from an injury.
Midfield:
Mark Noble has struggled to control the game this season but needs to be at his best against Arsenal. He will start at the heart of the midfield alongside Chiekhou Kouyate, who will add some steel to the midfield.
Arthur Masuaku is back from a suspension and is slowly finding his feet. He will start as a wing back on the left flank while Pablo Zabaleta will add width to the midfield on the right wing.
Attack:
Marko Arnautovic has been effective as a false-9 and should continue to lead the attack for West Ham this weekend. Joao Mario is now an integral part of the squad and will start on the left wing while Edimilson Fernandes, who has not been at his best recently, might be replaced by Manuel Lanzini on the right flank.
Here is how they might line up:
