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Danny Bloomer

Predicted West Ham XI vs Arsenal as Moyes mulls return to back five to hurt Arteta title chase

Arsenal will be looking to return to winning ways in their Premier League title push as they make the trip to West Ham United.

The Gunners head into the weekend matches six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table but that deficit could be halved by the time Arsenal are in action with Pep Guardiola's side against Leicester City less than 24 hours earlier.

Arsenal will view the trip to the London Stadium as a big chance to cement their position in first, with West Ham very much in the battle to beat the drop. David Moyes' side have had considerably less time to prepare for the match than their opponents having played away in Gent on Thursday in the Europa Conference League.

READ MORE: Arsenal finally have the 'best' player in their Premier League position after Mikel Arteta claim

Moyes reverted to a back five in that match despite a 1-0 win at Fulham last weekend, which could have been in preparation for Arsenal, as it is something he does often against the top sides. Former Gunner Lukasz Fabianksi is the Hammers' first choice 'keeper and will come back in after Alphonse Areola's start in Europe.

In defence, Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna could be joined by Nayef Aguerd, with Vladimir Coufal at right wing back. Emerson Palmeri has often been preferred to Aaron Cresswell on the other side when operating with a a back five.

Declan Rice is West Ham's only certified selection in midfield, with Lucas Paqueta and Tomas Soucek vying to start alongside him. Soucek was given the nod at Fulham last weekend, but with Paqueta now fully fit again, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him come back in.

Jarrod Bowen will almost certainly start on the right of a front three, with Pablo Fornals potentially on the other side ahead of Said Benrahma after his first league start since January last time out. Michail Antonio could lead the line ahead of Danny Ings after starting on the bench at Gent.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Fabianski; Zouma, Ogbonna, Aguerd; Coufal, Rice, Paqueta, Emerson; Bowen, Fornals; Antonio

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