Arsenal team news hint spotted ahead of West Ham clash as Mikel Arteta issues clear warning

Arsenal are set to face West Ham at the Emirates Stadium tonight as the Gunners look to return to the top of the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta's side led the way over Christmas after picking up a 1-1 draw against Liverpool last weekend.

However, the Reds have since moved backinto first following their 2-0 win against Burnley on Boxing Day. Arsenal are now just two points behind Jurgen Klopp's side as they prepare to play their game in hand this evening against the Hammers.

Arteta is clearly aware of West Ham's threat this season and has warned his players they will need to be at their best if they are to return to the top of the Premier League table. Speaking ahead of the clash against David Moyes' side, Arteta said: «Very difficult [to play against West Ham].

»They are a really good side. They’re really well coached and when you look at the success that they had last year and how they’ve played this season, they’ve shown a lot of consistency.

«They’ve beaten Spurs and Manchester United — that tells you everything about the difficulty of the game tomorrow. We’ll have to be really, really good.»

It looks as though Declan Rice will be reunited with his former side for the second time this season after the England international faced the Hammers in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. West Ham knocked the Gunners out of the competition after picking up a 3-1 win at the London Stadium back in November.

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Rice came on as a substitute in the defeat and was booed by home fans as he entered the action. The 24-year-old looks set to start against