Merino starts, Gabriel decision made | Expected Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs West Ham United | OneFootball

Arsenal will be aiming for a second-straight Premier League win when they face West Ham United at London Stadium on Saturday.

The Gunners have been in superb form since the international break, recording victories over Nottingham Forest and Sporting CP.

They are nine points behind league leaders Liverpool but have the chance to reduce the deficit before the Reds host Manchester City on Sunday.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Goalkeeper David Raya has been an undisputed starter for the league and European games.

The Spaniard is guaranteed to keep his place in goal. He will be eyeing back-to-back clean sheets in the top-flight for the first time since August.

Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a knock during the closing stages of the 5-1 win versus Sporting. Manager Mikel Arteta did not provide a clear update yesterday. However, he should be fit to start.

The Brazil international, who is close to signing a new long-term contract, should partner William Saliba in central defence, with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori occupying the full-back positions.

There could be a solitary change in the centre of the park, with Thomas Partey making way for Mikel Merino. Partey has been in good form lately, but Arsenal need to be cautious over his injury record.

Merino could get the nod to accompany Declan Rice, who was exceptional during the previous visit to the London Stadium. He provided two assists and scored a wondergoal against his former employers.

Martin Odegaard should line up in the number 10 role, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are guaranteed to start on the flanks.

The same can be said about Kai Havertz up front after his goalscoring return. Gabriel Jesus impressed with his link-up play versus Forest, but he was barely an attacking threat inside the opposition box.

How Arsenal could line up vs West Ham

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.