David Moyes makes Kurt Zouma decision – West Ham United confirmed XI v Arsenal
West Ham have confirmed their starting XI for the Premier League clash with Arsenal at The Emirates on 28 December, as David Moyes makes just one change.
The boss has brought Angelo Ogbonna into the starting XI in place of Kurt Zouma, with the captain left out entirely after he suffered a knock in training and failed a late fitness test.
With such a short turnaround between games, there is some surprise that Moyes has opted to start a largely unaltered team as he looks to continue the momentum built up after a big win last time out.
Bowen will look to make history
If Jarrod Bowen can score another away goal for West Ham, he will extend his fantastic record away from home so far this season, as well as becoming the first Hammers player to score 12 goals in the first half of a Premier League season, illustrating how impressive he has been so far this season.
Playing in an experimental role as a striker, away from his usual right-wing spot, has allowed the England international to thrive, with his eye for goal and clinical finishing becoming a crucial part of the way Moyes sets his teams up.
The counter-attacking style could come into its own against an Arsenal team that likes to dominate possession and suffocate teams with their play, while the pace of Bowen and his teammates on the counter-attack should pose the biggest threat for the Hammers.
Clinical finishing will be the order of the day, and Bowen’s talent will be key to that, with Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta primed to lay on the chances and flaunt their creative abilities against the league leaders.
In other West Ham news, Alex Crook and Sam Matterface have raved about one Hammers star.