Arsenal take on West Ham
Under the lights of the Emirates stadium in north London, fourth-placed West Ham pay a visit to 6th place Arsenal knowing that a defeat could see the Gunners leapfrog them into the Champions League places by the end of the night.
Arsenal name an unchanged side for the third game in a row, with Alexandre Lacazette taking over the captain’s armband from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was stripped of the captaincy and dropped from the squad after a disciplinary breach.
It means that Emile Smith Rowe keeps his place on the bench, while Gabriel Martinelli starts his third consecutive game.
? #ARSWHU team news ?
? We’re unchanged from the team that beat Southampton at Emirates Stadium on Saturday
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 15, 2021
West Ham, meanwhile, make a single change, as Said Benrahma drops to the bench to face Mikel Arteta’s side. There is still no place for Aaron Cresswell, who went off injured against Chelsea ten days ago.
One change tonight ⚒
Here’s how we’re lining up at the Emirates…#ARSWHU | @betway pic.twitter.com/acPiZ4YQbv
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 15, 2021
David Moyes reaches Premier League milestone
Regardless of the scoreline, it will be a momentous evening for the West Ham boss David Moyes.
The clash with Arsenal will bring up his 600th Premier League match as a manager, and in doing so he will become just the fourth manager to reach this milestone, behind Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp.
6⃣0⃣0⃣
David Moyes takes charge of his 600th Premier League match.
He becomes only the fourth manager in history to reach the milestone. pic.twitter.com/l93RdFsXVJ
— bet365 (@bet365) December 15, 2021
It is quite the achievement for the Scot, who could well continue to climb the rankings as he oversees his high-flying Hammers.
