SportFootballThe Gunners look to extend their lead at the top of the table following the World Cup break
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:
1672088111Half-time: Arsenal 0-1 West Ham45+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
1672088007No penalty!Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
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
1672087943Penalty to Arsenal!Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
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
1672087685Arsenal 0-1 West Ham45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play before the end of the first half.
Arsenal win a free kick that is whipped into the box by Martin Odegaard. Eddie Nketiah leaps above Michail Antonio to flick the ball onto the back post but Declan Rice steps ahead of William Saliba and marshalls the ball out of play.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:48
1672087593Arsenal 0-1 West Ham42 mins: Odegaard fins Martinelli on the left wing who has a go at goal but it denied by the steadfast Craig Dawson. The loose ball comes out to Nketiah who attempts to weave into the penalty area but eventually gets tackled.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:46
1672087365Arsenal 0-1 West Ham39 mins: A quick free kick from West Ham inside their own box gets chipped up to Michail Antonio who spins away from William Saliba to collect the ball.
He drives it to the box then hooks a shot wide of the near post.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:42
1672087252Arsenal 0-1 West Ham36 mins: Chance! Bukayo Saka evades a tackle from Aaron Cresswell and sends the ball inside. Odegaard and Partey combine before giving the ball to Nketiah on the left side of the box.
The forward rolls the ball onto his right foot and shoots but Craig Dawson gets the block in and Fabianski pounces on the loose ball.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:40
1672086998Arsenal 0-1 West Ham33 mins: There’s a bit of bite to West Ham now that they’re in front. Bukayo Saka is a little slack in getting back to help out the defence which allows Aaron Cresswell to get forward on the overlap.
He’s given the ball by Said Benrahma before flicking one into the box. Aaron Ramsdale thinks he can get there but gets shoved by Michail Antonio and wins Arsenal a free kick.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:36
1672086682Arsenal 0-1 West Ham30 mins: That goal is just West Ham’s fourth away goal of the season and it’s a big one. They now have something to hold onto although it’s too early for the Hammers to go into their shell.
Arsenal are behind and will need to fight back if they want to get something out of this game.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:31
1672086566GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham (Benrahma, 27’)⚽️27 mins: Said Benrahma bangs his penalty straight down the middle and West Ham take the lead against the run of play!
That goal could have big ramifications on the table if Arsenal fail to respond.
Michael Jones26 December 2022 20:29
