West Ham vs Atsenal: Saliba ruled out; Gunners Unchanged, table, form, head to head and predicted line-up

Arsenal will again be without William Saliba as Mikel Arteta is likely to name an unchanged squad against West Ham United.
Arsenal travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United as Manchester City cut the gap to three points. Pep Guardiola’s side will have a game against the Gunners after Sunday. But Mikel Arteta will be hoping to restore the six-point lead.
The pre-match press conference focused on William Saliba’s injury from the start.

Table

And Arteta insisted the defender won’t play. He confirmed the availability of Eddie Nketiah, who has been out for several weeks with an ankle injury.
On Saliba, Arteta said: “William [Saliba] is still not available. He is progressing well and we hope to have him available in the next few weeks but we will have to see. Eddie is back and fully fit now.

Asked about Saliba’s recovery progress and whether he’s stepped onto the pitch, Arteta continued: “He’s not far off to start on that. It’s clear that we have to be careful because of the injury, but he’s growing well.”

West Ham United vs Arsenal Preview: Prediction, Likely Line-ups, Tactics, Squad News & Key Stats

Arteta also insisted that the Frenchman’s return at one point was quite positive for Arsenal fans. In terms of injuries, the Gunners have no one else except Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny, who are out for extended periods.

Head-to-Head

As for the line-up, Arteta is likely to name an unchanged line-up from the trip to Anfield. After his heroics against Liverpool, Aaron Ramsdale will keep his place in goal. Ben White starts at right-back, with Rob Holding replacing Saliba in central defence. Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko will complete the left flank of the defense.

Form

Thomas Partey will sit at the base of midfield while Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka will play either side of the Ghanaian. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli will complete the top three for Arsenal. The bench options look solid for Arteta in attack and midfield.

Leandro Trossard will again be on the bench in this game alongside Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe and Jorginho. The trio, along with Nketiah and Kieran Tierney, are hoping to fill in and impress at some point in the game.

Do you think that Arsenal is going to be victorious when they visit West Ham? What number of goals do you think they can score? Leave your comments…

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William Saliba, Eddie Nketiah: Arsenal injury news and return dates after Liverpool draw

Arsenal injury news: North London side will be desperate to get defender William Saliba back to fitness as soon as possible

Arsenal and Liverpool had an extremely entertaining Premier League match on Sunday, drawing 2-2 at Anfield.
The Gunners went 2-0 up in the first half-hour before Jürgen Klopp’s side fought back when Roberto Firmino’s late equalizer dealt a major blow to the North Londoners’ title hopes. However, Mikel Arteta and company are still six points clear of number two Manchester City, even though the defending champions still have a game in hand.
Next up for Arsenal is another away trip, this time against David Moyes’ West Ham United. Ahead of the Gunners’ trip to East London, football.london has gathered the latest injury news from the Emirates Stadium as fans eagerly await news on defender William Saliba.

William Saliba

Saliba limped off Arsenal’s Europa League exit against Sporting CP, with a back problem which forced the youngster to be substituted. The Frenchman then missed the game against Crystal Palace, as well as the aforementioned win over Leeds at the weekend.
The defender missed the match against Liverpool. It is unclear when he will return, with a back injury difficult to assess the extent of the problem.

football.london has learned that the French international navigated the mixed zone comfortably after Saturday’s game against Leeds, similar to what he did following the exits of Sporting CP and Crystal Palace. What Arteta said: “We’re trying to manage him as best we can. Unfortunately he won’t be fit for this match [against Leeds] and we’re trying and he’s trying to do everything we can to feel better and train again.” But not yet.
“For the rest of the injured there are no real changes. We have some hope for someone who can train tomorrow, but we’ll have to see.”

Expected Return Date: Unknown

Eddie Nketiah

In the absence of Gabriel Jesus, Nketiah rose to the challenge and Arsenal went on a crucial run of victories. However, the striker has been out for a few weeks with an ankle injury, football.london know. The striker could return to the matchday squad this weekend, although Arteta’s cryptic injury update could be linked to Nketiah.

What Arteta said: “He’s better. He’s still in the trunk. He’s still a few weeks away and we have to be patient. It was a bad injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank God it could have been worse. So he’s not in a bad situation.
“No, no real change for the rest of the injured players. We have some hope for someone who can train tomorrow, but we’ll have to see.”

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Takehiro Tomiyasu was substituted for the first 10 minutes of the Gunners’ clash with Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium. The Japanese defender had stretched too far for a tackle earlier in the game and had to be treated on the pitch shortly after and was unable to continue.
The Japanese international was not included in Crystal Palace’s squad as it was later confirmed that he had undergone knee surgery. Now the medical staff have learned the extent of the defender’s injury.

An official statement from the club read: “Tomi underwent successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the rest of this season. Everyone at the club will now work hard with Tomi so he can participate in training ahead of pre-season.” .” next season.”

What Arteta said: “We don’t know. The doctor evaluates. We have a review and I think they need another review tomorrow. It doesn’t look good. Tomi is not one to exaggerate things. He immediately became very worried and we are worried.”

Expected return date: June

Mohammed Elneny

Elneny started in the FA Cup win against Oxford United and played the full 90 minutes. However, the Egyptian was absent from Arteta’s squad in the 2-0 Tottenham win as a knee problem arose in training before judging the clash. Moreover, there was no place for Manchester United on the bench.

A club statement later confirmed that the former Basel native would be out for an extended period, although no timetable was given for his expected return. Elneny has since signed a new contract with Arsenal as he nears a return.

Estimated return date: unknown

Do you think that Arsenal can still do well despite the injury list? Leave your comments…

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‘CAN’T PLAY WELL FOR EVEN 45 MINUTES’ – MARK LAWRENSON PREDICTIONS FOR LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL

Football pundit Mark Lawrenson has tipped Arsenal to emerge victorious in their crucial Premier League clash against struggling Liverpool.
Both clubs meet at Anfield this weekend (9 April),

in what should be one of the biggest matches for Gameeek 30.
The two clubs embark on a delightful encounter on the back of contrasting shapes.
Arsenal are currently top of the table, while Liverpool are eighth, 29 points behind the Gunners.
Jurgen Klopp’s side endured a relatively disappointing 2022/23 football season as everyone fell short of their standards. They are currently in danger of missing out on top-four qualification this season, as they are 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

However, a win against the leaders at the weekend could make a bold statement as the Merseysiders fight their last battle for a top four spot.

Pandit Lawrenson, however, believes the Reds lack what it takes to beat the in-form Gunners at Anfield against Chelsea as an example, saying they should have lost the game against the Blues.

The two sides played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on April 5. However, the home team was the better team for a large part of the match.

Do you think we can beat Liverpool and the match against Chelsea would be a tougher one and a hard nut to crack? Leave your comments below.

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Arsenal striker beats Lionel Messi! …and Reims lender says he’s just getting started

It appears that the training Folarin Balogun received in England was a little preparation for this journey across the Channel.
“I studied a little French at school, but that wasn’t enough,” smiles the 21-year-old. All that he could remember? “Only bonjour … ca va,” he says. “There wasn’t much more.”

“At first there was a lot of fear,” admits the young striker, who spends the season at the Stade de Reims. “But as time went on, I just took sides and adapted to the culture as best I could. The results can be seen on the pitch.’

But as time went on, I just applied myself and adapted to the culture as best I could. The results can be seen on the pitch. “I’ll be honest,” she says. “I grew up on the field, but off the field my cooking and household chores have remained the same.” This means a lot of “improvisation” and help from teammates.

“I certainly have work to do.”

The same goes for the attacker’s language skills. The young Reims coach Will Still, 30, likes to make fun of Balogun’s French.
“I take two classes a week and do my best, but I’m not the fastest learner,” he says. “When we’re on the pitch, I just try to learn the key phrases to be able to communicate with (teammates) but it won’t happen overnight.”

The results in front of goal came quite easily.

“The conversations I had when I arrived at the club weren’t going downhill,” says Balogun.

Ultimately, Reims is looking for a place in Europe. Balogun’s goals were fundamental for that change of horizon.
So was Still’s agreement. Since the 30-year-old defender took charge in October, Reims have lost just once in Ligue 1.

Perhaps this couple was destined to learn: Still is a Brit who grew up in Belgium and speaks French, English and Flemish. Born in New York, Balogun is an England Under-21 international but remains eligible to play for Nigeria. “Will strikes the right balance between being tough on you and being nice enough that you feel comfortable enough to express yourself,” Balogun says. “It’s a very difficult balance to teach.”

Always has a knack for getting under Balogun’s skin; The striker knows there’s only one way to shut him up: score goals.
“When I arrived here, there was an expectation from Arsenal. It can create a little more pressure… he expects a certain level from me, he knows what level I want to play, so it’s normal that he sticks to it.

Still’s first game in charge was a goalless draw against PSG.
January’s second leg at the Parc des Princes also ended in a draw after Balogun scored a nerve-wracking 96th-minute equalizer. “It was something very special. The memory that sticks in my head was actually before the game: a conversation with Thierry Henry,” says the 21-year-old. “I really didn’t expect to see him. “

Balogun celebrated by paying homage to the Arsenal legend that has become a useful guide.
“I saw him a few times at the Emirates when I was at Arsenal, but those were just talks,” says Balogun.
“It’s nice to get to know him on a more personal level. I ask him questions and he helps me. So he’s a nice person to have in your phone.

What are they discussing?
“(He’s) someone who has seen the heights of the game and taken steps in his career that I’m taking now in terms of playing abroad. He knows the feeling and how uncomfortable it can be. So I’m asking broader questions about his career and how he felt at times,” Balogun says. Balogun had loan offers from several countries. He ended up in France, in Reims, precisely because he was ‘a risk’.

He adds, “(Thierry) takes a lot of responsibility for what’s happened in his life. It’s the same advice he gives me. He says, “You’re here for a reason and it’s up to you. Whether you take a chance or not is another matter. But you have to prove why you’re here.

“He has great responsibilities and that has definitely helped me this season.”

Not that Balogun is surprised by his success in France. However, just half a decade ago, his career hung in the balance at Hale End.
“When I was 15, 16 I was told I wasn’t doing enough and that I needed to improve my attitude and parts of my game,” he recalls. “That was the year we were told if we were going to get scholarships, so reality soon hit me. I’m not someone who needs to be said twice or thrice.”

“The same qualities” that helped him get back on track remain to this day.
In Reims, they were impressed by Balogun’s work ethic and quality. He considers himself a table tennis club champion; He is regularly found doing extra work in the gym.

It also explains why the 21-year-old, who lives alone – close to the city center – still has too much of Reims to explore. Free time is usually spent relaxing in bed. The rest is reserved for scoring goals.
“I set myself a goal of 10,” says Balogun. “I never intended to hit him and then relax. I increased it to 20. We still have a few games ahead of us. So there’s no reason why I can’t.

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William Saliba happy to focus on Arsenal title bid as contract talks continue

William Saliba insists he is “so happy” at Arsenal as contract negotiations continue behind the scenes of an increasingly compelling Premier League title bid.
The Gunners are eight points clear at the top after a 2-0 derby win at Tottenham on Sunday.

An own goal from Hugo Lloris and a long-range effort from captain Martin Odegaard secured Arsenal’s first-ever victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and propelled them higher up the table.

France international Saliba has played a big role in the club’s revival after making his debut earlier in the season after being loaned out three times from north London.

His performances have been so high that he is set to sign a new contract with Arsenal and he is ready to continue the talks in the background as Mikel Arteta’s side seek glory. “We are delighted because the derby is an important match, and it was also an away game,” he said.
“We know it’s not easy to win here, so we are so happy. We didn’t concede a goal and scored two.

“We are focused on ourselves. We are not targeting our rivals. We have to continue like this and only focus on ourselves.
“I’m so happy here. The club are talking to my agent and me, the only thing I can do is (focus on my football). I’m so happy here.”

After Spurs’ victory, Arteta said a continued title challenge “would need almost perfection” for the rest of the season, with Saliba now hitting back with a win over Manchester United – the only team Arsenal should beat this season – looking for the next weekend.

“It’s never enough,” he replied when asked what it meant to be eight points clear at this stage. “We know we have a lot of games to play. We have to be focused because things can change quickly. If we lose a game we can’t have confidence afterwards, so we have to be focused to go ahead and try to win. We focus on ourselves.

“There is no pressure. It’s better to have that pressure when you’re up than when you’re down. It’s better to continue like this and we don’t need to be under pressure.

“We know we have a big game next week. We know they beat us. They are the only team to have beaten us in the Premier League this season and we want to beat them again at home. “We will prepare for this match very well, I think, and I hope we win in front of our fans. We will continue. We didn’t know about it before (Arsenal could win the championship), but when summer started, I said tell me we can do something “.