Arsenal can move top of the Premier League if they take care of business at home to West Ham United this afternoon.
After Liverpool’s slip-up at Crystal Palace last weekend, just two points separate last season’s top two ahead of kick-off.
The champions are in action this evening away to Chelsea, presenting Arsenal with a huge opportunity to climb their way to the summit of English football.
Nuno Espirito Santo picked up a hard-fought point in his first game as West Ham boss away to Everton last week and despite some horrid results at home, the Hammers have been a problem for Arsenal at the Emirates.
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West Ham have picked up wins in their last two trips across the capital, including a 1-0 win last February that derailed Arsenal’s lingering hopes of a title bid last term.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.
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Wilshere praises ‘magic’ youngster
Jack Wilshere coached several young Gunners at the Hale End academy and believes one has reached ‘another level’ this season.
‘He has got magic and people are starting to see that a little bit more now,’ the former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder said.
‘I think he probably took a bit of time to understand what Mikel wanted out of possession and exactly what he wanted in possession, but he has some ability.’
Find out who he was talking about here.
Difficult match for Rice?
Arsenal vs West Ham aka the Declan Rice derby.
Rice may be in for a tough game with no Martin Zubimendi or Mikel Merino to support him in midfield, with Arteta selecting Martin Odegaard AND Eberechi Eze instead.
A bold tactical move or a risky gamble?
Tuchel warns Lewis-Skelly
This is the last weekend before the October international break, with four Arsenal stars and one West Ham player called up to the England squad.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has kept his place despite not starting a Premier League game this season and Thomas Tuchel says he can’t justify picking him again if he does not start for his club.
Mikel Arteta hasn’t got the message however, as the teenager is on the bench today with Riccardo Calafiori starting at left-back.
Mavropanos Returns to Arsenal
This fixture has been a tricky one for Arsenal of late and just to make things more difficult, the Gunners won’t quite know what to expect of West Ham today.
After a torrid start to the season, the Irons sacked Graham Potter last weekend and swiftly replaced him with Nuno Espirito Santo, with this his second game in charge.
His line-up includes ex-Arsenal centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Gabriel starts
The big question ahead of this game was whether Gabriel Magalhaes would be passed fit to start.
The Arsenal matchwinner against Newcastle last weekend was substituted as a precaution during the closing stages of the midweek Champions League victory over Olympiacos.
Mikel Arteta was sweating over his fitness yesterday but the defender is in the starting XI, much to the relief of the manager, fans and many Fantasy Football players (including myself).
West Ham confirmed starting XI
West Ham XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf, Magassa, Fernandes, Bowen, Paquetá, Summerville, Füllkrug
Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Igor, Scarles, Rodríguez, Potts, Wilson, Guilherme, Marshall
Arsenal confirmed starting XI
Arsenal Xi: Raya, Timber, Salba, Gabriel, Cafarori, Rice, Eze, Odegarard, Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
Subs: Kepa, White, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Norgaard, Zubimendi, Merino, Nwaneri, Martinelli
Is Arsenal vs West Ham on TV?
No, Arsenal vs West Ham was one of the rare games not selected for live broadcast this weekend.
But fear not, you can follow all the action from north London right here on our LIVE blog.
Arsenal vs West Ham kick-off time
Today’s game at the Emirates will kick-off at 3pm UK time.
There’s only one other 3pm match today in the Premier League, with Manchester United hosting Sunderland.
Chelsea take on Liverpool in the evening, while the early kick-off between Leeds and Tottenham is currently 1-1.
Welcome!
Good afternoon and welcome to Metro’s LIVE coverage of Saturday’s Premier League clash between Arsenal and West Ham United.
It’s a London derby which will have huge consequences at both ends of the table.
The all-important team news is on it’s way…
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