West Ham face a daunting trip to London rivals Arsenal for Nuno Espirito Santo’s second game on Saturday but a fundamental player could now be missing.
The stakes are already high for both West Ham and Arsenal when they meet in the Premier League this weekend.
Somewhat astonishingly, the Hammers are looking to make it three consecutive wins in a row away at Arsenal in as many seasons.
In truth, though, given where the respective teams are at right now, a draw would be a hugely positive outcome for new boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
After a terrible season where both Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter failed to inspire, the Hammers have acted quickly to bring in Nuno.
Stakes high as Arsenal welcome Emirates bogey team West Ham
Avoiding relegation is the main objective for Nuno after West Ham started the season with just one win from the opening six games of the campaign.
Arsenal meanwhile look better equipped than ever to mount a serious challenge to win the title.
Things got off to a positive start for West Ham’s new boss as players and fans responded to his passion to secure a 1-1 at Everton on Monday night.
They say Rome wasn’t built in a day and Nuno had only been at the club for 48 hours ahead of the Toffees clash.
So it was no great surprise when the Hammers conceded yet another goal from a corner – their eighth of the season so far, well on course to break the season-long Premier League record of 16.
With the team dubbed ‘Set Piece FC’ up next in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, things do not get any easier in that regard for the Irons.
But maybe they just have.
The stars could be aligning for Nuno at West Ham as Arsenal are now sweating on a key dangerman for the big clash.
The timing couldn’t be better for Nuno.
Stars aligning for Nuno as Arsenal sweat on dangerman
Arsenal are clearly going to target West Ham from set plays just as every other side has this season.
As Hammers fans know only too well, Declan Rice is the central figure in Arsenal’s prowess from crosses and set plays.
That was on display in the Gunners’ late win at Newcastle last weekend.
Former West Ham captain Rice sent over a brilliant cross for Mikel Merino to head home.
And defender Gabriel Magalhaes – who is head and shoulders the biggest set-piece threat in the Premier League – headed home a brilliantly worked corner routine at the death.
Now with Nuno looking to try and build on the Everton result, Arsenal could be without Gabriel for the West Ham clash.
The Brazilian defender limped off in Arsenal’s Champions League win over Olympiacos overnight.
Gabriel looked devastated as he covered his head with his shirt while trudging along the touchline.
Speaking after the game, Arteta admitted Gabriel ‘felt something’ and was in discomfort, hence the decision to take him off before any further damage was done.
Hammers could be boosted by Gunners’ Gabriel absence
The Gunners boss says the substitution was a precaution. But the player’s reaction spoke volumes.
And with just 72 hours until the West Ham game it seems highly unlikely Arteta would risk Gabriel, who also has important games for Brazil looming in the international break.
West Ham will be absolutely over the moon if Gabriel misses the game.
The Hammers will still have a mountain to climb to get a result but Gabriel’s replacement Cristhian Mosquera is new to the Premier League and would give Nuno’s side a better chance.
In other news ahead of the game, West Ham and Arsenal will be worried by a Premier League announcement with so much at stake for both teams.
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