Arsenal predicted line-up vs West Ham: five changes made amid big Gabriel injury update

Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend as they look to close the gap on Liverpool. They are currently positioned in 2nd place in the table and are only two points behind the Reds. Mikel Arteta’s side face a home clash against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Their upcoming opponents have recently turned to Nuno Espirito Santo as their new head coach. He was picked as their replacement for Graham Potter. Arteta’s men secured a dramatic win away at Newcastle United last time out in the league before their 2-0 Champions League home victory over Olympiacos on Wednesday night.

Will Gabriel be available for Arsenal vs West Ham?

Arsenal supporters have been sweating over the availability of key defender Gabriel. He went down against Olympiacos after a collision with goalkeeper David Raya. He received treatment on the pitch before he was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera.

Arteta has since cooled fears that he will be sidelined though and has said: “I think he’s going to be okay. He felt something, I think it was a kick, I’m not sure, in the first half, and he was a bit uncomfortable, and towards the second half he was there. He could carry on, but we decided not to take any risks, really, because he’s played a lot of games. He comes from a long-term injury as well, and we need to look after him.”

Elsewhere, defender Piero Hincapie isn’t expected back until after the international break, whilst winger Noni Madueke is out with a knee issue until November time. Attacking pair Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are more long-term absentees.

Will Bukayo Saka come back in for Arsenal?

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya will keep his place between the sticks. He managed to keep a clean sheet against Olympiacos and will be hoping for the same again against West Ham. Ex-Chelsea stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga provides competition for his position from the bench.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jurrien Timber come back into the starting XI in place of Ben White. The full-back has caught the eye so far this season. Riccardo Calafiori is also likely to step back in for Myles Lewis-Skelly to freshen things up again.

In the heart of defence, the Gunners will need to make checks on Gabriel. As Arteta alluded to though, he should be fine which will be a big boost. William Saliba will play again, with impressive summer recruit Mosquera waiting in the wings.

Declan Rice was rested from the start against Olympiacos and is poised to get the nod against his former team West Ham. Martin Zubimendi has been ever-present over recent weeks and has made a positive impression since his summer switch. He made the move to England from Real Sociedad and seems to have adapted well so far.

Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka both started against Newcastle last weekend but didn’t against Olympiacos. They will both be ready to impress against the Hammers and help their side get another three points. The latter has scored two goals in all competitions so far this term.

Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard are enjoying plenty of game time right now. Gyokeres was snapped up by the Gunners in the last window from Sporting Lisbon. He has since found the net on three occasions in nine outings.

Full Arsenal predicted line-up vs West Ham: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres