German midfielder Havertz received his fifth yellow card of the season during Arsenal’s recent 1-1 draw with Liverpool, leading to a one-match suspension. Consequently, he won’t be part of the lineup for the upcoming home game. Arsenal’s manager, Arteta, faces the task of selecting a replacement, considering options like Emile Smith Rowe and Leandro Trossard, both capable of filling the left-sided No8 role.
Another possibility is introducing Jorginho into the lineup, positioning him at the base of midfield, and pushing Declan Rice forward against his former team. Arteta might opt for additional changes, given the team’s demanding festive schedule. Gabriel Martinelli, experiencing a dip in form, could potentially yield his place on the left flank to Trossard.
Despite the absence of key players like Thomas Partey (groin) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Arsenal aims to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League by defeating West Ham. Arteta acknowledged the challenges, stating, “We’re not going to have those two available unfortunately yet, and then we have the suspension of Kai,” leaving the squad with five players unavailable. Nevertheless, Arteta remains optimistic, noting the team’s recent successes and the availability of other eager players ready to contribute.
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