“J-Lo’s Big Decision” | Lopetegui Banned for West Ham v Arsenal Clash

Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui is banned from next Sunday’s West Ham v Arsenal Premier League fixture after picking up his third booking of the season against Newcastle.

There’s something strangely odd about the West Ham head coach receiving his touchline ban at precisely the time when his team seemed to have finally resolved their disciplinary issues.

Lopetegui’s absence from the dugout for the Gunners’ trip to the London Stadium leaves him with a decision to make. It certainly won’t be easy surrendering touchline responsibilities to someone else, given how animated the Spaniard is on the side-lines.

Edson Alvarez is available again after his recent suspension, although Mohammed Kudus will serve the last of his five-match suspension following his pushing incident against Spurs.

Niclas Fullkrug, meanwhile, could feature after yesterday’s revelation to Claret & Hugh that the German striker is nearing a return.

Arsenal face their own issues ahead of the match and will be without Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while defender Gabriel Magalhaes is waiting on a scan after picking up a knock against Sporting Lisbon.

The Gunners have been impressive in their last two games, and Lopetegui’s absence from West Ham’s touchline won’t help matters. However, with an extra day to prepare, at least the Hammers gaffer will have had time to work on the training ground