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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 17
Arsenal v West Ham United
Emirates Stadium
London, England
Monday, 26 December 2022
Kick-off is at 22h00
Arsenal will be aiming to continue where they left off before the World Cup break when they welcome West Ham to the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day.
The Gunners have shown they are serious title contenders this term after opening up a five-point gap to defending champions Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta's side won their last three games against Nottingham Forest (5-0), Chelsea (1-0) and Wolves (2-0) before the six-week hiatus to extend their unbeaten run in the league to eight matches.
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Arteta has been impressed with the way his players have applied themselves in training ahead of the festive fixtures and is hoping they can build up momentum again.
Asked whether it would be tough to maintain their strong form after the break, the Spaniard said: "No, I think it's been really positive. The players we have have trained exceptionally well, better than I've probably ever seen them train.
"They've competed really well, played well and we just have to continue. It's a long marathon and we have to go game by game."
The Hammers endured a disappointing first half of the season, winning just four of their opening 15 outings to sit one point above the relegation zone in 16th position.
David Moyes' team lost all three of their games in November - against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Leicester - and it doesn't get any easier as they prepare for a London derby at the home of the league leaders.
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Jarrod Bowen, who is the joint-top scorer for the club with two goals, has called on his team-mates to put their best foot forward on Monday, December 26 in a bid to turn their fortunes around in the New Year.
"We have the preparation in the bank," Bowen said. "It is down to us now to go to Arsenal on Boxing Day and put in a really good performance.
"We know what position we are in. We can't hide away from that. It is about us as players now stepping up and showing what we are about."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Arsenal - 4
West Ham - 0
Draws - 1
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