Arsenal are gearing up for the return of the Premier League on Boxing Day when West Ham United arrive at the Emirates Stadium. How clubs react after the break for the World Cup remains a question mark but a good start will be essential.
With 5 points ahead of Manchester City, the Gunners have an advantage in the race to win the Premier League title. However, they cannot be subjective because the season is still very long. West Ham is a difficult opponent to play and Arsenal fans want to see three things to look forward to the next positive journey.
Eddie Nketiah must score
Gabriel Jesus’ injury is the biggest blow to Arsenal’s ambitions. The Brazilian has had knee surgery after suffering a problem in the final match of the 2022 World Cup group stage against Cameroon.
Nketiah must score.
Eddie Nketiah has since become the name to be dissected as to whether he is qualified to replace Jesus. He started well with goals against Watford and Lyon, but in the matches against AC Milan and Juventus, the star born in 1999 failed.
A goal against West Ham certainly helps the 23-year-old striker feel confident. Not only was it a big boost for himself, but it also eased the doubts he’d had all this time.
Three stars must avoid yellow cards
Arsenal’s 2023 began with a difficult January for Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United. Therefore, the Gunners need the most powerful staff to enter this series of matches. The task of the players to avoid receiving yellow cards, thereby being suspended, needs to be completed.
Both Ben White and Bukayo Saka received three yellow cards and until the end of the 19th game, they must avoid receiving two more cards or they will be suspended. If either man gets booked in the game against West Ham, Arsenal will be worried. Because as long as they receive more yellow cards against Brighton soon after, the London team will lose the mainstay for the next difficult matches.
William Saliba currently has 4 yellow cards but cannot attend the match on Boxing Day due to returning from the World Cup. However, if Saliba is fit enough, he will also play with the possibility of a suspension. The temporary loss of the French midfielder right now is also a blessing for the Emirates Stadium team.
Arsenal must win
Arsenal need to beat West Ham even though this is just an ordinary match like any other round in the Premier League. Starting their journey back to the Premier League with a win was absolutely essential for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal must beat West Ham on the day they return to the Premier League.
A draw or worse, defeat, and the fact that Man City can close the gap, is what adds to the pressure on Arsenal. So victories like against West Ham will add momentum to the Gunners.
Lu Feng | 22:56 12/25/2022
