da dobrowin： Arsenal travel to East London this weekend in the hope of defeating West Ham and more significantly, ensuring their title challenge continues.
da bwin： Midweek witnessed a dismal Arsenal display as the Gunners were dumped out of the EFL Cup at the hands of Southampton. The competition was a chance for Arsene Wenger to end his wait for a first League Cup success.
It may have only been the Gunners’ first defeat in twenty games but the Arsenal faithful have become slightly concerned with the team’s performances recently.
Nonetheless, Saturday poses a different challenge as a West Ham side who haven’t won a Premier League fixture since October look to turn around their campaign with a win over Wenger’s boys.
If Le Prof has ambitions to end that near thirteen-year wait for an elusive Premier League title, he must secure three points at the London Stadium.
For Arsenal to be successful this weekend, however, Wenger must field this XI against the Hammers.
GK: Petr Cech
A return between the stick for Cech is a necessity for Arsenal this weekend. West Ham are set to bombard the Gunners with crosses and will look to physically impose themselves in the penalty area.
Cech has the know-how to combat such tactics and starting ahead of Emiliano Martinez, who featured on Wednesday, is a must for Wenger.
Three points are desperately required by Arsenal and Cech will need to be on top form to ensure the Hammers are in for another frustrating evening.
RB: Gabriel Paulista
Against Southampton, Jenkinson had his chance to shine and impress Wenger. However, the former West Ham loanee was horrendous.
In the absence of Hector Bellerin, Arsene Wenger is struggling to find a suitable replacement. The best option looks set to be Gabriel Paulista, albeit a centre-half by trade.
The Brazilian is prone to making a mistake, but seems a much better option than Jenkinson at the moment.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
Without Laurent Koscielny, the Gunners’ back four loses all solidity. The Frenchman has become an integral member of the squad and the future without their central defender would be a cause for concern.
The Hammers have proven themselves as sticky opponents for Koscielny in recent years, but the performance put on by the Gunners defenders against Southampton was abysmal and ensures Koscielny must start at the London Stadium.
Any chance of three points will be a foundation built by Koscielny’s performance.
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
The German international has become the catalyst for the Gunners’ success in recent months and he must be restored to the starting XI after sitting out Wednesday’s game.
According to whoscored.com, Mustafi has become the best defensive signing this campaign and his partnership with Laurent Koscielny has been one of the best in the division.
Mustafi must use his ability to read the game to try and anticipate the movements of Dimitri Payet this weekend.
LB: Nacho Monreal
Kieran Gibbs was given a chance on Wednesday but failed miserably.
With West Ham upcoming, Wenger must forget about Gibbs and bring Monreal back into the first-team fold. The Spaniard has been sensational for Arsenal of late and will have to contain the energetic Michail Antonio.
CM: Granit Xhaka
What does it take for Xhaka to secure his regular starting berth in this Arsenal side? He was one of the Gunners’ few good performers on Wednesday and adds real steel to the midfield.
At the London Stadium, Arsenal will be faced with the task of overcoming the physicality of West Ham’s midfield and Xhaka would be the decisive factor in securing the Gunners three points this weekend.
CM: Francis Coquelin
To combat the physical style set to be imposed by Slaven Bilic, Wenger must counteract his approach by ensuring Francis Coquelin partners Granit Xhaka in midfield.
Supporters have been calling for Aaron Ramsey to start alongside the Swiss international but the Welshman proved on Wednesday he isn’t deserving of a starting position against West Ham.
Coquelin will add the required steel to overcome the Hammers in East London and allow the Arsenal midfield to destroy the fragile Irons defence.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
Whether Arsenal fans accept the reality or not, Ozil has not hit the heights he displayed at the same stage last season.
The German international could provide the keys to unlock the West Ham defence this weekend and his link-up play may be the decisive factor in overcoming the Irons.
Ozil is struggling to provide the goals for his Arsenal forward line this campaign but not many players can compete when the attacker’s in top form.
RW: Theo Walcott
After ten years of wondering when it may occur, Theo Walcott is finally looking like the twenty-goal forward demanded by his fanbase.
Walcott has hit the heights this season by scoring nine goals already, and the improvements in his game are evident.
Against West Ham, Walcott has the potential to cause serious damage as Aaron Cresswell looks set to miss out through injury.
LW: Alexis Sanchez
Where would Arsenal be without Alexis Sanchez this season? His goals have been decisive in their pursuit of a Premier League title and often carried his team through challenging games.
Sanchez remains the focal point of Arsenal’s attack, but against a weak Irons defence, Wenger must opt to play him wide left and allow Olivier Giroud to return to the first-team.
Wenger will be hopeful of another Sanchez goal this Saturday evening.
ST: Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud is gathering somewhat of a reputation of a ‘super-sub’ but Wenger must start the French forward against West Ham this weekend.
Against Bournemouth, Giroud came off the bench once again to have a major impact on yet another Arsenal result. The striker has scored five goals in recent weeks but still finds himself bench-bound on a regular basis. He deserves a starting role and has a good chance of scoring against a weak West Ham defence.