Arteta insists potential new Arsenal striker needs to be the right fit
The Premier League’s Boxing Day action concludes with leaders Arsenal welcoming West Ham to the Emirates as both teams get their domestic campaigns back up and running. The big question is whether Mikel Arteta’s Gunners can maintain the form that put them five points clear of Manchester City at Christmas time.
Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury whilst playing for Brazil could prove costly for Arsenal and the striker isn’t expected to feature this evening although they are boosted by the returns of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
West Ham have similar but worse problems as both of their main strikers, Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca, are nursing injuries leaving David Moyes under-resourced at the front of the pitch which should play into Arsenal’s favour.
Victory would send Arsenal eight points clear at the top of the table whilst the Hammers could draw further away from the relegation zone by collecting three points of their own.
Follow all the action from the final Premier League outing on Boxing Day below, following the conclusion of Aston Villa vs Liverpool:
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 West Ham (Saka, 53’)⚽️
53 mins: Maybe not. Arsenal have their equaliser.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 21:17
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
51 mins: David Moyes is winless in 70 Premier League away matches as a manager against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United (D21 L49).
Can he get a win tonight?
Michael Jones26 December 2022 21:17
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
48 mins: Chance! That’s nice from Arsenal. They work the ball beautifully down the right wing and give the ball to Saka. He carries it to the edge of the box before laying the ball off to Thomas Partey.
Partey shoots and looks to be curling one inside of the near post but Lukasz Fabianski leaps across and turns the ball wide of the goal.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 21:12
Second half: Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Arsenal get the match restarted and work the ball back to Aaron Ramsdale who belts it long. Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah both challenge for the ball in the air but it skips through everyone and bounces out for a goal kick.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 21:10
HT Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Arsenal have won just one of their last 25 Premier League games when trailing at the break (with four draws and 20 defeats). That victory came against Wolves in February (2-1).
West Ham have lost just one of their last 24 top-flight games when leading at half-time (19 wins, four draws), against Brighton in May (3-1).
Michael Jones26 December 2022 21:07
Arsene Wenger returns to Arsenal for first time since leaving club
Wenger, who managed Arsenal between 1996 to 2018, was in the crowd for Arsenal’s Boxing Day match against West Ham.
The 73-year-old led Arsenal to three Premier League titles, including an unbeaten season, but had previously said he did not plan to watch his former club after departing.
But the Frenchman was at the Emirates Stadium after receiving an invitation from Arsenal’s board, as the Gunners returned to action following the World Cup.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 21:03
HT Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Said Benrahma’s penalty is the difference between the teams at the halfway stage. Can West Ham go on to win this game now?
(PA)
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:59
Half-time: Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
45+5 mins: The players head down the tunnel for the half-time break. Arsenal have had more possession and created more chances but it’s West Ham who lead at the halfway point.
Jarrod Bowen was brought down by William Saliba inside the box and Said Benrahma knocked home the penalty kick. Arsenal though they had a penalty of their own but VAR overturned the original decision.
All to play for in the second half.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:55
No penalty!
45+5 mins: West Ham have a reprieve! VAR checks the referee’s penalty decision and sees that Cresswell blocked Odegaard’s shot with his forehead.
His hands were high but it’s clear that the ball didn’t touch them.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:53
Penalty to Arsenal!
45+3 mins: Gabriel Martinelli cuts the ball inside from the left wing and picks out Martin Odegaard on the edge of the box. He shoots and drills the ball at Aaron Cresswell.
His hands are up next to his head and the referee thinks he’s stopped the shot with his arm and points to the spot.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:52
Kaynak: briturkish.com
