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Preview: Arsenal v West Ham, Team News, Starting XI & Prediction

By on August 7, 2015

emirates-stadium

Premier League football returns this weekend and I’m sure I’m not the only who can’t wait as Arsenal kick their campaign off with a home clash against West Ham at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

Pre-season has gone exactly according to plan as we’ve looked sharp in the Asian Trophy and Emirates Cup before beating Chelsea in the Community Shield last week.

We finished last season as the form team in England and after finishing third and retaining the FA Cup, I think it’s safe to say it was a positive year.

However, it’s time to push on and mount a serious title challenge this campaign and I think there is real belief in the squad and within the footballing world that we can do something special.

The first test comes against a West Ham side who’ve just been knocked out of the Europa League, and although they may be feeling the effects of Wednesday night’s game, the players should also be match fit having played four competitive fixtures in pre-season.

Team News

The big news this week has been that Jack Wilshere is facing another spell on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury in training last weekend.

Thankfully, Arsene is hopeful the injury isn’t as bad as first feared and Jack could be back playing in just four weeks.

Alexis Sanchez will handed a late fitness test but he’s not expected to play any part after only starting his pre-season training on Wednesday.

Danny Welbeck is also set to miss out as he continues to recover from a knee injury but Petr Cech is set to make his competitive debut.

As for the Hammers, they have doubts over Winston Reid, Joey O’Brien and Pedro Obiang while Carl Jenkinson can’t face us due to the terms of his loan.

Preferred XI

I’m not a fan of Cazorla out on the left but with Sanchez out, it perhaps makes sense. I’d give Gibbsy a run-out as he needs to stay match sharp. The Ox should keep his place after scoring the winner last week while I’d continue with Theo Walcott up front.

Prediction

I can’t see past a home win here. We’ve been playing some lovely stuff in pre-season and the squad looks really well balanced. As long as we keep things tight at the back, I’m confident we’ll ease to victory.

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

COYG!!!

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