Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Ham Premier League GW36

Arsenal travel to the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon to face West Ham in what could be their most important Premier League fixture of the run-in, with Mikel Arteta set to make one significant change to the side that impressed against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final in midweek.

The Gunners go into this one with a clear schedule advantage over their title rivals. Manchester City must play Crystal Palace and Bournemouth in the final two midweeks of the season, while Arsenal have no midweek commitments between now and their Champions League final against PSG. Arteta will want to use Sunday to build momentum rather than manage it.

West Ham arrive at the London Stadium desperately needing points in their battle to avoid relegation alongside Tottenham Hotspur. There is an uncomfortable irony in the fact that an Arsenal victory could ultimately help their bitter rivals stay up, but three points is three points at this stage of the title race.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Ham: player by player

David Raya: The Spanish goalkeeper has already secured the Golden Glove after Gianluigi Donnarumma conceded three against Everton during the week. Raya can claim it outright with one more clean sheet from the final three games, and he will be motivated to deliver exactly that on Sunday.

Ben White: The temptation to rotate White in favour of Mosquera exists given the schedule ahead, but with Jurrien Timber still absent, breaking up the White and Bukayo Saka combination on the right is too costly an option. White starts.

William Saliba: Made just one mistake in what was otherwise a commanding display against Atletico Madrid and will be determined to put in another performance of that quality. Arteta will name him without hesitation.

Gabriel: The Brazilian has been one of Arsenal’s standout performers in the closing stages of the season and delivered another gargantuan display in the Champions League semi-final. He keeps his place without question.

Piero Hincapie: The one change Arteta is expected to make. Jarrod Bowen is West Ham’s primary threat, and Hincapie’s defensive solidity and physical presence make him better suited to contain the winger than the more attack-minded Calafiori.

Declan Rice: Rice has locked in a deeper midfield role in recent weeks, allowing his partner to push higher and influence the game further up the pitch. It is a tactical adjustment that could deliver trophies before the season is out.

Myles Lewis-Skelly: The 18-year-old has made the starting berth his own and shown no signs of relinquishing it. Arteta has little reason to change things while Lewis-Skelly continues to perform, with Martin Zubimendi providing cover from the bench.

Eberechi Eze: Martin Odegaard has returned to fitness but showed on Tuesday that he is best deployed as an impact substitute for now. The number ten role is unequivocally Eze’s until Odegaard earns it back.

Bukayo Saka: Back to his very best and the engine of Arsenal’s right side. More goal contributions will be the target on Sunday before Arteta looks to give him a well-deserved rest as the Champions League final approaches.

Viktor Gyokeres: The form has finally arrived for the Swedish striker, whose goals have been crucial during this title run-in. Kai Havertz provides support from the bench if needed, but Gyokeres leads the line.

Leandro Trossard: Back to his best at exactly the right time of the season and a genuine difference-maker as Arsenal close in on something historic. Trossard starts on the left.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard