Match Today: Arsenal vs West Ham United 26-12-2022 English Premier League

Arsenal resume the Premier League season with a five-point lead at the top. They host West Ham United who are 16th in the table and just one point above the relegation zone.

With second-placed Manchester City not playing on Boxing Day, a victory for the Gunners could put them within seven points. Arsenal have a record 100% home win in the Premier League this season. The league leaders have won all six of their home games with 11 goals scored in their last three. They have won each of their last nine league matches at home, but Arsenal are not very good at keeping clean sheets at the Emirates.

It went on to run nine consecutive matches with both teams winning before a 5-0 home win over Nottingham Forest on 30 October. Arsenal have won 12 of their 14 league matches this season, with just one defeat. That was at Manchester United in September, and since then they have won seven of their eight league matches.

West Ham United once again had a poor start to the Premier League season. They have just 14 points from 15 league games (Arsenal surpassed that total after their fifth game of the season) and are just one point above third-placed side and four clear of bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The World Cup break came at a good time for them as they lost three straight league matches, the last two being at home. Only one of his last six league games has been won and that was a home success against Bournemouth. On their travels, they have just four points from seven Premier League matches. Only three goals were scored and they failed to score in three of the last four.

Arsenal have won their last nine home league matches. West Ham have only picked up four points away from home this season. West Ham have scored just three away goals this season. The 2022/23 season saw Arsenal win 12 of their 14 Premier League matches. Arsenal have won five of their last six matches against West Ham.

West Ham United should include Declan Rice in the starting line-up. There are injury concerns up front with Michel Antonio and Gianluca Scamaka doubtful for this fixture. Given the number of goals they score on their outings, losing a striker would be a blow to them.

In the back line, Aaron Cresswell and Naif Ajord are also questioning in this match. Alphonse Airola has not done much for France at the World Cup so he is expected to play in the UAE. It is worth noting that Arsenal player Gabriel Jesus will be out for three months after he was injured against Cameroon.