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West Ham United v. Arsenal
Thursday, 26 Dec 2013 7AM PT/10AM ET/3PM BT
Upton Park, West London
League form, last six matches: ARS WWWDLD | WHU LWLLDL
TV: NBCSN, I think, they've been changing a lot in the last couple days. Check here for latest info.
I trust everybody opened their presents, didn't shoot their eyes out with their new BB guns, and otherwise had a lovely and festive Christmas/Whatever Day You Choose To Celebrate. I did, because I got these:
It's a Christmas miracle! #notquitefullkitwanker #awesomesocks pic.twitter.com/2ZH2noKfe1
— Paul DeBruler (@misterpdb) December 25, 2013
It's back to more or less business as usual now - no match preview, sadly, but here's a brand new empty match thread for you to fill up with match-thready goodness.
Arsenal, of course, are coming off a draw against Chelsea on Monday, which was disappointing mostly because of Mike Dean. They emerged unscathed, though, and will look to get back to winning ways (and the top of the table) against a West Ham team that has only scored 14 goals all season and sits one skinny, tenuous point away from the dreaded relegation zone. I mean, look, we all know they'll end up there anyway, right? Why not hasten the process with three points today? That'd be the best Christmas...er, Boxing Day present ever.
Be mad that you didn't win Monday, Arsenal, and turn that rage on West Ham. I believe "hiding" is the phrase I'm looking for here.
LINEUPS:
#Arsenal team to play West Ham: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud #WHUvAFC
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 26, 2013
#Arsenal subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Monreal, Flamini, Gnabry, Bendtner, Podolski #WHUvAFC
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 26, 2013
The teamsheets are in. Here's West Ham United's starting line-up to face @Arsenal #COYI pic.twitter.com/xGEi46z46K
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) December 26, 2013