Arsenal turn their focus back to the Premier League this weekend as they prepare for a London derby against West Ham United at the Emirates. After a hard-fought 2-0 Champions League victory over Olympiacos in midweek, Mikel Arteta’s men are aiming to extend their winning run and finally end a frustrating home record against the Hammers.
The Gunners have failed to score in their last two home meetings with West Ham, but with confidence rising after three straight wins in all competitions, they’ll hope to flip the script in front of their supporters.
### Gabriel Fitness Boost
One of the biggest concerns heading into Sunday’s clash has been the fitness of Gabriel Magalhães. The Brazilian picked up a knock against Olympiacos, raising doubts about his availability. However, Arteta has offered a positive update, insisting he is optimistic Gabriel will recover in time to play. His presence will be crucial for Arsenal’s defensive structure and set-piece strength.
### Hincapié Ruled Out
On the flip side, Piero Hincapié will not feature this weekend. The Bayer Leverkusen loanee is sidelined with a groin injury and is expected back after the international break, with the October 18 trip to Fulham penciled in for his potential return. His absence means Arteta will be relying even more on Gabriel’s availability.
### Midfield and Attacking Absentees
The Gunners remain without Noni Madueke, who is nursing a knee injury sustained against Manchester City and is not expected back until late November. Kai Havertz, meanwhile, is still recovering from knee surgery but has made visible progress, even appearing at the Emirates during the Olympiacos game. Both are targeting a comeback in time for the North London Derby against Tottenham next month.
Further forward, Gabriel Jesus continues his recovery from the ACL injury he suffered against Manchester United earlier this year. Nearly nine months on, the Brazilian striker is edging closer to a return, with the Aston Villa clash in December being circled as a possible comeback date. His availability will be a huge boost for Arteta’s attacking options heading into the winter schedule.
### Suspension Status
In more positive news, Arsenal face no suspension concerns this weekend. That leaves Arteta with a full quota of available players outside the injury list, giving him more flexibility as he balances domestic and European commitments.
### The Bigger Picture
Momentum is swinging in Arsenal’s favor after a tricky start to the season, and with the Emirates crowd behind them, this derby provides a perfect chance to snap their home struggles against West Ham. If Arteta can manage his squad carefully and keep key players fit, Sunday’s clash could mark another step forward in their push for Premier League and Champions League success.
