Team news: Solid performer could make surprise West Ham return at Arsenal

West Ham United make the short trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, and a surprise return could be on the cards for one of their players, according to their official website.

Injuries have dented the Hammers’ progress for much of the campaign, although they were still able to overcome the challenge of Southampton last week despite missing some players, but they might well have an extra star to call upon against the Gunners.

Tomas Soucek picked up an injury at Liverpool, which was expected to keep him out for up to three weeks, however the classy Czech has made a quicker recovery than expected, and could even be in line to take his place in the West Ham squad on Saturday.

That will be a huge boost for Hammers boss David Moyes, who knows he is going to need every member of his squad that he can have, if he is to mastermind a display that can see the London Stadium outfit leave with a positive result.

West Ham will be looking to build on their confidence boosting win over the Saints last weekend, but they remain without Ryan Fredericks and Jack Wilshere, the latter of which misses out on a return to his former club.

There were hopes that the Hammers attacker Andriy Yarmolenko would be available for the trip to the Emirates, but while he is improving all the time, the Arsenal clash is said to come too soon for him.

West Ham are now out of the bottom three, albeit on goal difference only, so if they can come away from the match without losing, they could start to pull away from the relegation zone.

If the Hammers are to do that, they will need to reverse the 3-1 score which was the result when the two sides met at the London Stadium earlier in the campaign.