Arsenal have been hit by a major blow ahead of the West Ham clash with three key stars including Bukayo Saka doubtful.
It’s the Declan Rice derby part three as West Ham welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium this Sunday.
West Ham have good memories of facing the Gunners since Rice’s defection to north London.
The Hammers beat Arsenal 3-1 at home in the Carabao Cup before securing an excellent 2-0 win in the Premier League at the Emirates before the turn of the year.
West Ham’s problem is that they have not won since, starting 2024 winless in six matches and falling to a 3-0 defeat at Man United on Sunday.
Arsenal’s major blow ahead of West Ham
Arsenal meanwhile go into the game off the back of three straight wins and 10 goals scored after the 3-1 victory over Liverpool.
David Moyes is slowly but surely getting his strongest squad back fit and available. And the Scot has hinted talisman Lucas Paqueta could return for the visit of the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s side may well be making the trip to east London far from full strength, though.
Because Arsenal have been hit by major blow ahead of the West Ham clash with three key stars including Bukayo Saka doubtful.
Three key stars including Saka doubtful
Saka hobbled off in the win over Liverpool while Oleksandr Zinchenko was substituted at half-time due to injury.
And striker Gabriel Jesus missed the game with an injury sustained in training.
In an update Arteta confirmed Saka has picked up a knock.
The Gunners boss hopes he won’t be sidelined for long ahead of Sunday’s trip to face the Irons. But he offered no cast iron guarantees.
He did concede his starting left-back and forward look unlikely to be available for West Ham, though.
Hammers hat-trick on the cards?
“He (Saka) should be fine… I think,” a hopeful Arteta told the press, as reported by the likes of The Evening Standard.
“He got a kick I think on the ankle or on the back of his foot, but he should be fine…
“Unfortunately, he (Jesus) had a setback in training and he wasn’t fit to play (vs Liverpool). It’s something related to his knee, but I think it’s a short-term thing. With Gabi we expect it to be some days (off yet)…
“With Olek (Zinchenko) we don’t know. He felt something in his calf again so we had to take him off.”
A win for West Ham, besides being much welcome, would see Moyes’ side reclaim sixth spot in the Premier League table with 14 games to go. All eyes would then be on Man United’s clash at Aston Villa in the evening game.
Arsenal will be under pressure to win to keep themselves in the top three.
West Ham vs Arsenal will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Sunday from 1pm ahead of the 2pm kick-off.
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