The 3 key battles as Arsenal host West Ham this evening

Granit Xhaka vs Mark Noble

Both of these midfielders have received criticism this season, but Granit Xhaka and Mark Noble look set to go head-to-head in the battle for midfield supremacy this evening.

Arsenal’s Xhaka has at times shown great promise in the central midfield role, including a fine display against Tottenham back in November, yet he has too often been undone by disciplinary issues, with two red cards and a whole of host of yellows indicative of a player who can sometimes take it too far.

And with six yellow cards in his seven games since returning from suspension, he doesn’t appear to be learning either, and that is something West Ham captain Mark Noble is sure to be aware of ahead of this evening’s clash.

The 29-year-old has started 26 of West Ham’s 30 Premier League games this term, but has occasionally come under-fire for his ineffective displays in the middle of the park.

However, West Ham are in a rut and need a player like Noble to help them get out of it and, given he likes to get stuck in and make himself known to the opposition, the battle between him and Xhaka should be an interesting one.