Arsenal are shifting their attention back to domestic action this weekend as they prepare to face London rivals West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium. Following their hard-fought Champions League victory over Olympiacos, Mikel Arteta’s side are eager to build momentum and put an end to a frustrating home run against the Hammers. The Gunners have fallen short in their last two home meetings with West Ham, failing to score in both matches, but recent form suggests they may be ready to turn the tide.
Wednesday’s 2-0 triumph in Europe marked Arsenal’s third consecutive win in all competitions, showcasing their growing confidence after edging past Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend. With the team regaining rhythm, Arteta will be hoping to maintain that winning streak in what promises to be a fiery London derby. However, as is often the case in a long season, injury concerns continue to shape Arsenal’s matchday squad.
One of the main talking points surrounds Gabriel Magalhães, who was instrumental in the recent league win over Newcastle. The Brazilian defender picked up a knock in midweek against Olympiacos, sparking fears over his availability. Fortunately for Arsenal fans, Arteta has provided a positive update, expressing optimism that Gabriel will recover in time to feature against West Ham. His presence would be vital, not only for defensive stability but also for his set-piece threat.
Meanwhile, Piero Hincapié will be unavailable for the clash. The Bayer Leverkusen loanee has been sidelined with a groin issue and is expected to return after the international break, with the match against Fulham on October 18 penciled in as a possible comeback date. His absence limits Arteta’s options at the back, making Gabriel’s fitness all the more crucial.
Further up the pitch, Arsenal continue to grapple with longer-term absentees. Noni Madueke is nursing a knee injury sustained against Manchester City last month and is projected to be out until late November. Similarly, Kai Havertz is recovering from knee surgery but has made visible progress, as seen when he was spotted in the Emirates tunnel during the Olympiacos clash. Both are targeting a return in time for the North London Derby against Tottenham in late November.
Another major absentee is Gabriel Jesus, who has been out since suffering an ACL injury against Manchester United earlier in the year. Nearly nine months on, the Brazilian forward is edging closer to a return and could potentially be available around December, with the Aston Villa fixture identified as a tentative comeback date. His return would provide Arteta with a significant boost in attacking depth as Arsenal head into the busy winter period.
On a more positive note, Arsenal enter the weekend without any suspension concerns, ensuring Arteta has the maximum number of fit and eligible players at his disposal. This gives the manager more flexibility in his squad selection, even though injuries remain a pressing issue.
With confidence returning, a solid winning run underway, and a passionate home crowd behind them, Arsenal will view this as the perfect opportunity to end their winless streak against West Ham at the Emirates. If Arteta can navigate the injury challenges successfully, this fixture could mark another important step in maintaining momentum both in the league and in Europe.
