The 2015-2016 Premier League continues this Sunday with the match between Arsenal and West Ham. Arsene Wenger's crew gets to this match highly motivated after their FA Community Shield last Sunday against Chelsea, while West Ham struggles to put up a competent squad, given the absences of strikers Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll, both out due to injury.
Arsenal's transfer window activity wasn't full of signings, but Wenger's men did ink a new deal with one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League: Petr Cech. The former Chelsea man is expected to feature heavily with the team, as he tries to prove his golden days are not over, and he can still perform at a top level for the Gunners.
North London's side will not have Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky available. The Chilean was granted permission by his coach after his Copa América performance this summer, while Wilshere and Rosicky will miss the game due to injury. Welbeck is recovering after sustaining a knee injury during the summer.
The Hammers will also have some problems to put up a team that can damage the Gunners at Emirates Stadium. Coach Slaven Bilic has stated his side needs a dependable striker to take over the team's goal scoring duties, since Andy Carroll and Ecuador's Enner Valencia are out due to injury. Carl Jenkinson will not be able to participate in the game, due to the parent club rule.
Bilic's side may depend on what Mauro Zárate can do up front to help the team, while other players like Diafra Sakho and Diego Poyet are expected to make an impact in order to hurt the current FA Cup champions.
Arsenal's recent record against the Hammers shows the Gunners haven't lost any of the last six matches. In fact, Wenger's men have only conceded two goals against West Ham while hosting them. Last year, West Ham lost at the Boleyn Ground 2-1, while their second meeting ended up with a 3-0 win for the Gunners, with goals by Giroud, Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini.
Arsenal vs West Ham team sheets
Arsenal lineup: Cech, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Ozil, Giroud, Chamberlain, Ramsey, Cazorla, Monreal, Coquelin.
West Ham lineup: Adrian, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Oxford, Noble, Kouyate, Payet, Zarate, Sakho
Arsenal bench: Gibbs, Gabriel, Arteta, Ospina, Walcott, Sanchez, Chambers
West Ham bench: Randolph, Collins, Poyet, Nolan, Jarvis, Lanzini, Maiga
