West Ham United dealt blow with Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli ‘desperate’ to play in Boxing Day clash
West Ham travel to north London to face league leaders Arsenal on Boxing Day, and Mikel Arteta’s squad might be stronger than expected.
After three consecutive league defeats to end the first half of the season, David Moyes faces an incredibly tough Premier League return against Arsenal.
It’s bound to be a blockbuster London derby as the Premier League makes its return, and it got even tougher for the Hammers after Mikel Arteta revealed that both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are pushing to play.
Saka and Martinelli both reached the World Cup quarter-finals with England and Brazil respectively this month and were expected to take an extended break after their efforts in Qatar.
But instead, Arteta has revealed that both youngsters are “desperate” to return early and feature against the Hammers.
“They’ll come back straight away into the rhythm, shape and mould of the team,” said Arteta, as quoted by Goal.
“We’re waiting for them and they are desperate to be back as well. I’ve spoken to both of them. Gabi was here today, with a big smile and big energy. He’s ready to go again. It’s going to be a big boost for the team.”
Plenty to play for
Regardless of Arsenal’s returning stars, West Ham have to focus on their own performance. Declan Rice will likely follow the same path as Saka and want to return early to play against the Gunners.
The Hammers have to focus their attention on the Premier League after the winter break to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight.
The club’s perfect Europa Conference League campaign has papered over the cracks, with Moyes’ side simply unable to get similar results domestically.
The break came at the perfect time for Moyes to regroup and refocus his squad ahead of the second half of the campaign, but an away game to the league leaders isn’t the match he’d want on his return.
To make matters worse, the Hammers haven’t beaten their London rivals since 2019 – and haven’t won at The Emirates since 2015.
The aim has to be to frustrate and spoil Arsenal’s party in what will inevitably be an energetic London derby.