Arsenal face West Ham United in a crucial Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday

Arsenal have a chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to five points when they host West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday.  Liverpool's recent form has faltered, with two draws and a narrow win, offering Arsenal a glimmer of hope in the title race.

Despite a recent setback with Kai Havertz's season-ending injury, Arsenal have found renewed momentum with three consecutive league wins, including a 2-0 victory over Leicester City.  Mikel Merino's late brace against Leicester proved crucial, especially after a disappointing January transfer window.  If Arsenal win and Manchester City can upset Liverpool, the Gunners will be just five points behind with a game in hand.

Arsenal boast an unbeaten home record in the Premier League this season, a streak stretching back to April of last year.  They've won 15 straight home league games without a loss.  However, West Ham, while struggling, did manage a shock 2-0 win at the Emirates last season.  Recent history favors Arsenal, though, as they've scored 11 goals against West Ham in their last two meetings (6-0 and 5-2 wins).

Arsenal will be without the injured Takehiro Tomiyasu, who joins Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines.  Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are also still out, though they may return after the international break.  Manager Mikel Arteta's main selection dilemma is in attack, where he must choose between Merino, who scored twice against Leicester, and Raheem Sterling.

West Ham's form has been concerning, with only four points from their last seven league games.  They sit 16th in the table, though they have a comfortable buffer above the relegation zone.  Graham Potter has yet to ignite a turnaround at the club.  Their recent 1-0 loss to Brentford, compounded by an early goal, highlighted their struggles.

West Ham's injury list includes Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Vladimir Coufal, and Lucas Paqueta.  Potter made three substitutions at halftime in their loss to Brentford, indicating his dissatisfaction with the team's performance.  He may include James Ward-Prowse and loanee Evan Ferguson in the starting lineup, with Carlos Soler likely to replace the injured Paqueta.

Possible Arsenal Starting XI:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard

Possible West Ham Starting XI:
Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Ward-Prowse, Alvarez; Bowen, Soler, Kudus; Ferguson