The Premier League will soon be upon us as Boxing Day fast approaches. The Carabao Cup fourth round will take place this midweek with plenty of top-tier English clubs in action but both Arsenal and West Ham United, the Gunners’ opponents, will sit this one out having been knocked out in the third round.
Mikel Arteta has already welcomed back the majority of his squad for friendlies in the Middle East and at the Emirates Stadium. Back-to-back victories over Lyon and AC Milan got Arsenal off to the perfect start in this mid-season break. Still, a 2-0 home defeat to Juventus despite dominating the clash has somewhat interrupted the momentum.
Arsenal had a nine-day gap from that defeat to Massimiliano Allegri’s side before the Hammers' visit; there could be time for a behind-closed-doors friendly this week. In the time off, however, Arteta has faced losses in terms of injuries.
