Arsenal host West Ham United as Premier League football returns on Monday, and the away side may be missing a couple of their usual forwards.

Michail Antonio of West Ham United battles for possession with Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Michail Antonio of West Ham United battles for possession with Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Though neither of them have yet been ruled out completely, Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio are both reportedly doubts for West Ham United’s trip to Arsenal on Monday.

Speaking to the press on Friday, David Moyes gave an update on both players.

“Gianluca has an ankle injury and Mick had a calf strain,” Moyes confirmed. “They’re improving – we’re hoping that they both have a chance (to face Arsenal), but I’ve got to say they’re doubtful.”

In terms of potential alternatives to Scamacca and Antonio, Moyes suggested they could play Jarrod Bowen down the middle.

“Jarrod Bowen is more than capable [of playing down the middle] if we need to do so,” the West Ham manager suggested.

“Over the last few years we changed Marko Arnautović from a wide player to a centre forward, we’ve done a little bit the same with Micky Antonio, so who’s to say it won’t be Jarrod who’s next?”

Elsewhere, it looks like Nayef Aguerd won’t be available for the match, as he is only returning to training today following a virus and an injury during his World Cup participation.

France's defender William Saliba attends a press conference at the Jassim-bin-Hamad Stadium in Doha on December 2, 2022, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
France’s defender William Saliba attends a press conference at the Jassim-bin-Hamad Stadium in Doha on December 2, 2022, during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal have injury and other issues of their own. Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and Gabriel Jesus will miss the game, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are strong doubts, and William Saliba may not be match sharp after only returning to training on Friday.

But when journalists put to Moyes that perhaps this might be a good time to face Arsenal, the West Ham boss had an amusing response.

“I think the best time to play Arsenal was about three years ago. Since Mikel has come in he’s done a brilliant job.”