rewrite this title West Ham v Arsenal: Line-ups, preview and where to watch as Gunners aim to avoid title race slip-up

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta urged his players to “live the moment” and maintain the hunger and desire that has got them to the brink of an historic double as they prepare to visit West Ham in a crucial game at both ends of the Premier League table.

The Gunners on Tuesday reached the final of the Champions League for only the second time in the history as they clinched a 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid with a 1-0 victory in the second leg of their semi-final tie at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal last reached the final in 2006, but lost 2-1 to Barcelona.

Arteta, his players and the Arsenal fans celebrated in raucous fashion after full-time, but the Gunners now must refocus on taking another step towards the Premier League title with triumph over relegation-threatened West Ham at London Stadium.

Following, Manchester City’s 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday, Arsenal are in an excellent position with three games remaining to lift the Premier League title for the first time since the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ season.

Indeed, Arsenal are five points clear at the summit, though City have played a game fewer.

But that advantage will be reduced to two if City beat Brentford on Saturday, meaning Arsenal can ill-afford any kind of slip-up in East London.

Asked about the challenge of refocusing, Arteta told his pre-match press conference: “We talked immediately after the game. This is great, what a moment, we earned it. We have time to get ready for the final but now the energy and detail has to be put into West Ham and we made it very clear.”

Of his message to the players and supporters, Arteta said: “Stay present, live the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we have showed all season or more. We are closer and closer and everything that we do now is going to matter to win it or not.

“What we’re going to do today, what we’ve done today, that’s a fact. That’s the most important thing, and tomorrow we’re going to have to do what it takes to be in the best mood, physically and mentally, to get ready for the battle that we have on Sunday.”

The battle is critical for West Ham, who are a point adrift of safety after last weekend’s results, which saw them lose 3-0 at Brentford and Tottenham move out of the bottom three with a surprise 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

With Tottenham facing Leeds United on Monday, West Ham could find themselves in a desperate position if they do not get something against Arsenal.

But manager Nuno Espírito Santo has confidence in his side’s ability to respond to adversity.

“It was a tough weekend for all of us,” he told his pre-match press conference. “Of course it was a bad result. In the first half it was positive, we performed well and had our moments, but overall a bad weekend. It only helps us to react and bounce back.

“We’ve always been able to react during the games and during the season. We’ve had poor performances and results, but the next one comes and we have been able to perform well and produce a result. This is what we expect on Sunday.

“We have proved at West Ham that nobody gives up, so let’s go!

“It is a big game and our fans know and they’ve been fantastic for us at London Stadium, and we’ve been showing them with results and performances that we can count on them.

“We realise it is up for us to deliver, but it is a big game.”

Team news for West Ham v Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said there is no chance right-back Jurrien Timber (ankle) or Mikel Merino (foot) will be involved.

West Ham have no injury worries with which to contend.