⚽ Arsenal vs West Ham, League, 26th Dec, 8pm

jones

I assume the England players will still be on hols?

Think them missing Rice and Aguerd is much worse than us missing just Saka. White funnily told them to fuck off (after the media made it out to be some drama) and will be part of this, on account of the personnel available we should do them

goon

I don’t really see the need for more than a week off for Saka. He’s played 4 games in a month and never played more than 80 mins. In theory he should actually be the fittest of the lot.

Should have everyone bar Jesus there.

Pepe LeFrits

Fixed the title, thought this game was away for some reason

banduan

West Ham have been pants and their key engine Rice played plenty of matches in Qatar, him being overplayed one of the reasons they been pants.

QuincyAbeyie

Am I somehow underestimating Rice to an extreme degree? I was watching England-France with some friends and was basically abused for thinking Tschouameni was the better player.

Qwiss

QuincyAbeyie Rice is going to be shown up when he moves to a big club. His technical level is too low.

Burnwinter

Rice is one of those guys whose all-action style is eyecatching but whose level isn't quite what it's cracked up to be—his asking price is going to run well ahead of his merit.

Reports are that he might go to Chelsea "for regular Champions League football" which is ironic given West Ham is closer to Chelsea in the table than Chelsea are to requalifying for the Champions League.

goon

Rice is very good at what he does tbf, very good carrying the ball, good passing range, excellent work rate etc. Would be good in the 8 Xhaka role. But yeah, probably not worth £50m+ that he would command.

Big Willie

goon 100m plus more like. No way anywhere near worth that

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Now that nonsense is finally over, we want our Arsenal back!

Burnwinter

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert Fuck yes … bring on the real game.

Burnwinter

Qwiss Yeah, he might be okay for Chelsea though!

Clrnc

When you see someone like Amrabat playing DM and costs probably around 30m, no way in hell you will consider to sign Rice who is average in comparison.

Claudius

Clrnc

Both men are plain versus Bellingham. I would give my left nut for the boy. He can play any midfield position at a high level.

lorddulaarsenal

Time to unleash Amario.

banduan

It doesn't matter if Rice isn't the greatest in the position, he's absolutely key in West Ham.

KingslandBarge

Burnwinter
Our team is so good, decision making and cohesion at a premier level. Cant wait for the campaign push to get off and running again.

JazzG

Massive game for us, the World Cup has been great but the Jesus injury has not been kind to us and may expose the lack of depth. Time for Eddie to step up.

West Ham will be tough opponents for us, they'll be well up for this match.

We've never had a WC mid season so will be interesting to see how all players deal with it mentally as well as physically.

goon

JazzG you never know but Jesus injury aside I'm hoping it will be a big positive. Hardest thing about these campaigns is keeping the intensity and focus up every week and if feels like that should be easier if you split the season in two.

goon

Any news on Martinelli and Saka yet and when they're likely to be back in training? I'd be amazed if both were not available for this game. In fact I see no reason why Saliba shouldn't came straight back into training after a couple of days off. Too much at stake.

Pepe LeFrits

goon

Arteta said of Saka and Martinelli: “They’ll come back straight away into the rhythm, shape and mould of the team.

“We’re waiting for them and they are desperate to be back as well. I’ve spoken to both of them.

“Gabi was here today, with a big smile and big energy. He’s ready to go again. It’s going to be a big boost for the team.”