Arsenal start the 2015-16 Premier League season with a London derby at home to West Ham.
With the signing of Petr Cech and a Community Shield victory over champions Chelsea, Arsene Wenger will be confident that this could be the year his side win the title for the first time since the ‘Invincibles’ of 2004.
West Ham, who finished 12th after a good first half to last term, come into this fixture having already been knocked out the Europa League and still in search of another striker.
New boss Slaven Bilic is still trying to get his ideas across to his players after Sam Allardyce ended his three-year spell in charge in May.
New signing Dmitri Payet has impressed in pre-season and is expected to shine after grabbing the most assists across Europe’s major leagues last term.
however, the hosts are strong favourites and have won 13 of the last 15 meetings against the Irons with the other two being draws.
Wenger will give a Premier League debut to Cech but Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck are ruled out with injuries, while Alexis Sanchez is not yet ready to play after being handed an extended break after the Copa America.
West Ham strikers Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll are both unavailable because of injuries.
For the visitors, Carl Jenkinson is ineligible to face his parent club, while strikers Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll are injured.
Last Meeting: Arsenal 3-0 West Ham, March 14, 2015
Key Men: Arsenal – Sant Cazorla; West Ham – Dmitri Payet
Shoot Says: Arsenal 3-0 West Ham