The in-form Gunners host the Hammers in a London Derby on Saturday afternoon with eyes on top of the table.

Arsenal are preparing a blockbuster new contract for Bukayo Saka that will make the England international one of the top earners at the North London club. Saka has entered the final two years of his existing deal with the Gunners and the club now want their star player to put pen to paper on a new deal and commit his future to them on a long-term basis.

There was an amusing moment at the end of Michael Arteta's pre-match press conference on Tuesday when a reporter asked if the 15-year-old Max Dowman had been included in the Arsenal squad for the Carabao Cup clash with Port Vale the following evening. "Yes," Arteta immediately responded, before then quipping, "Well, it depends, I might put the handbrake on!"

Arsenal laboured against a spirited Port Vale to ease into the League Cup fourth round, courtesy of Eze's first goal in a Gunners shirt early in the first half and a late strike from substitute Trossard. The Gunners made a flying start to the match, scoring inside the opening 10 minutes and looked like they would blow League One Vale away. But chances were hard to come by and the hosts enjoyed more possession as the match progressed, then Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta introduced Trossard who secured the win with five minutes remaining.

Bukayo Saka is in contention to feature in Arsenal’s heavyweight clash with Manchester City on Sunday after returning to first-team training ahead of the game. The forward has missed the Gunners last three fixtures in all competitions against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Athletic Club after picking up a hamstring injury in his side’s 5-0 Premier League victory over Leeds on August 23.