For the second season in a row, Arsenal FC are the team that topped the table on Christmas. For the Gunners and their fans, “it’s a joyous thing, let the angels sing.”
Indeed Mikel Arteta and his side are “simply. having. a wonderful Christmas time” whenever they look at the standings.
Boxing Day Fixtures FYIs
West Ham United at Arsenal FC
Kick: Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, 8:15 PM Local Time, Emirates Stadium, London, UK
Team News: Arsenal West Ham United
Starting XI Predictions: Arsenal West Ham United
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
PL Standing: Arsenal 1st, 40 pts West Ham 6th, 30 pts
Form Guide: Arsenal DWLWW West Ham WWLWD
Google Result Probability: Draw 17% Arsenal 72% West Ham 11%
That’s because, typically, the team that sits in the penthouse of the standings as the yuletide comes and goes becomes the strong favorite to win it all. However, it only matters who’s in first place when Championship Sunday comes and goes.
Arsenal knows that all too well, as they spent more time in first place than any other side last season…but didn’t win the title.
The Premier League title race won’t be settled this midweek, but the north Londoners need to grab all three points when they host West Ham.
Arsenal Starting 11 Prediction vs West Ham United
David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Jorginho; Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.