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Arsenal come into Thursday’s clash second with 36 points, but just behind Liverpool on goal difference. On Monday night they were held 0-0 by Chelsea at the Emirates which follows the away loss to Manchester City, 3-6 and the 1-1 draw against Everton at home. Arsenal will certainly be going in to this Boxing Day match looking to get goals and dominate around the entirety of the pitch.

West Ham United has been playing relegation football lately. They are currently just above the drop zone in 17th place with 14 points, but they are just a single point above both Crystal Palace and Fulham. They have mainly struggled in scoring goals, so they should be happy to have gotten a goal in each of their last two matches in all competitions.

What to expect

Against Chelsea, Arsenal dominated possession and passing with 61% of the ball and an 84% pass success rate, however, this lead to only two of their seven shots on target. Defensively they remained sound, but did allow Chelsea did get 13 shots with four on target from a quick counter attack.

Against Manchester United on Saturday, the Hammers did not look very good at all. The one goal they did get came more due to a defensive mistake by the United defenders. This was their only shot on goal from four shots taken. They also gave up three goals from 21 shots allowed (8 on target).

West Ham have lost 8 of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Arsenal, but will looking to make home advantage count for the welcome of the Gunners on Boxing Day.The trip to Upton Park will be Arsenal’s 100th London Derby away from home in the Premier League and a win for the north London side would make it 45 wins from the century of encounters.

Arsenal have won their last 6 matches against West Ham in all competitions. Arsenal have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 matches against West Ham in all competitions. West Ham have failed to win 9 of their last 10 matches in the Premier League.

James Tomkins could miss the welcome of Arsenal after he was charged with assaulting a police officer on Monday. Winston Reid, Andy Carroll, Ricardo Vaz Te, Mladen Petric and Stewart Downing are all sidelined through injury. Carlton Cole may start following his goal in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.

Jack Wilshere serves the second of his 2-match ban, while Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo and Ryo Miyaichi are all out with injury. Mikel Arteta has a swollen ankle suffered in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea and is a doubt. Laurent Koscielny missed the stalemate with a knee problem and may not be risked.