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Confirmed Arsenal team for tough West Ham trip

The teams are finally out for today’s London derby game between Arsenal and West Ham.

The Gunners actually come into this with the second-best form, but the bookmakers still make them favourites to clinch all three points, and rightly so.

As they say, ‘form is temporary’, and it is Arsenal who have the better players, and higher ceiling, and have to be considered the most likely winners.

Saying that, West Ham have proved to be extremely consistent this term, winning 50% of their 28 Premier League matches thus far, and they will be well up for today’s challenge.

We were aware that Willian needed to be assessed in the warm-up to today’s match before a decision would be made on his involvement, and he has been deemed not to be ready.

This team has more than enough firepower in it to cause the best of teams trouble, and the Hammers will certainly have their work cut-out as we look to push our way back up the table.

Their manager David Moyes doesn’t have a great record against Arsenal as a manager, picking up less points per match against us than any other current Premier League side at present (according to Transfermarkt), and we will hopefully be knocking that stat a little lower with another win today.

What are your predictions after seeing the match?

Patrick

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284 Comments

        1. Keep calm and be patient. Kit always reminds me of Deep blue sea, i suppose ref and VAR would be man eating sharks in that scenario.

          1. Ha, you’re not wrong. Put anything in front of Jon Moss and he’ll eat it 😂

            Don’t worry, Ackshay, I’m perfectly calm 😊

  2. It’s time for Aubameyang and Lacazette to show their chemistry. I think Arteta would like to win more aerial duels in this match, hence the inclusions of Chambers and both Aubameyang/ Lacazette

    1. I agree Lacazzett for aerial duels and Hold up play but I am not sure about Aubameyang for aerial duels and hold up..
      He is worse in these 2

      1. Aubameyang had difficulties in aerial duels against towering CBs. But he usually wins against fullbacks, since most fullbacks are shorter than him

      2. Auba lost every aerial duel against Olympiacos. Not because he’s not good at them but because he didn’t even try to duel.

        Lets hope be proves everyone wrong because his performance on Thursday was unacceptable.

        1. Yes… He didn’t even try to win any 50-50 duels with any defender…
          He Never try physical 50-50 ball..

          1. Lacazzett is much better in hold up and hustle and tussle…
            Against Leicester we scored 3rd goal just because Lacazzett managed to held ball against 3 defenders and still able to passed the ball to Pépé..

    1. Willian has been making assists for us and he’s made more assists than the likes of Pulisic, Ziyech and Havertz

    2. Willian has started ONLY 3 of the last 13 matches but you still have cry about him right. Freaking crybaby fans are the worse.

      2. You have answered yourself. And we have been better because he has started less matches. Please stop deceiving us with those stat. Which Assist are you talking about? Those assist were mere simple passes. The goal scorers still had so much to do. Arteta better develop our future talent like Gabriel and pepe instead of playing a 40 years old that does the bare minimum.

        1. What i meant is he is already starting most match on the bench which is his place and also contributing when he does start a match. Why do you still have to cry about it

          1. Because unfortunately some of our “fans” would prefer to moan and criticize the team than actually support them. I’m not saying that its a majority but a significant amount seem to be frustrated managers who don’t seem to realize that their amateur opinions mean sweet FA. That’s not to say that supporters can’t analyze the team/decisions made, but the whole “X player is rubbish in my opinion so therefore I want to see them fail” thing is very tiring.

        2. You clearly didn’t see the assists did you?

          Against leicester, the assist took out the keeper leaving Pepe with an open net which he took in one touch.

          Against Olympiacos, it was a well delivered corner into a dangerous area.

          Against burnley, he carried midfied and played a through ball to Auba.

          I’d suggest you watch games and stop basing your analysis on comments from JA

  5. Not our strongest team, but let’s hope Mr Arteta doesn’t delay bringing on extra firepower if needed

  6. Auba is not good in heading, chambers is not good at crossing,infact he is Bellerin season 2.

  7. Arteta just selects players as he wishes&not for the good of the team.i wonder why luiz must start every game.i hope we win this match&i also hope we win the europa league,if not arteta will have the largest chunk of the blame for his uncharasteristic tinkering of the team

    1. In all fairness, Luiz have been really good recently. Not his greatest fan but he has been good lately….

      1. Luiz generally plays good but he always has that one crazy moment that will kill the match in him. It’s like playing with a loaded gun.

        1. True that. Aside his brain fart, he has been good and leads well. Lets hope that one brain fart does not happen today. Same with Xhaka, improved player but one error can ruin everything. I like our cbs

          Holding
          Gabriel and Mari…

          I doubt gabriel and Mari can pair together though..

    1. Hope so, I’ve never been impressed since his arrival. Like Bellerin, goes missing in games and can’t do simple stuff first

  12. Mention of kits above.

    If accurate I am over the moon-
    THE CANNON IS BACK !

    “ Arsenal’s away kit for the 2021/22 season, which is predominantly yellow will boast the famous ‘cannon’ instead of the current logo.

    The away kit is set for release in July 2021. “

    Furthermore, the shirt is a nod to the 1971 2nd shirt.

    SHEER CLASS !

      1. Hi Sue.

        Much better than the “peashooter” we were “modernised “ to ?

        Alas, not an exact replica of the class of ‘71 as I was hoping – but a great nod to our history.

        So many memories of the yellow shirts.

        Let’s hope we are celebrating 3 points later !

        Here we go .

  14. No bellerin on bench is weird. Even if we are planning to sell we need to retain his value and have him involved. Haven’t heard of an injury, so unless a personal reason I think it would be best to still have him present

    1. It might be something or it might be nothing. Maybe MA thought of giving his place to someone else today, on the bench as Hector has had already experienced gametime in midweek?

  15. Good team. I believe Aubameyang and Lacazette might click well and show good link up today. Good call by MA to bring Calum in the side, Tomas Soucek and Antonio are beasts during setpieces. Felt this game might have been a good one to start Holding, but I am not complaining. Lets win to get all 3 points.
    COYG!!

  17. Would much prefer Cedric instead of Chambers as he gives us more of a offensive dynamic and he can defend too. Aubamayang will do what he’s been doing most of the season. Just standing around in the West Ham left back position. Hoping to cut in and score. Has tried that at every opportunity recently and only been successful (fortunately) twice at Leicester and Olympiacos. If that’s all he’s got in his bag of tricks at the mo then don’t expect too much !

  21. xhaka is the best passer of a ball iv seen over 2 yards,anything longer hes pure mule lol

        1. Surely has to be Artetas final season in charge Sue ? The football is horrific.. too many changes, tries to be clever but out of his depth, I don’t even care if we won 6-3 today, he needs to go.

          1. Bloody hell, Kev, don’t know what’s hit us!! Need half time to calm down 😂
            If we start the 2nd as slow as the 1st, god help me!!

  23. Slow and laboured so far and West Ham giving us a lesson in passing and possession. C’mon Arsenal, get going, please!
    1- nil to them, damn.

  31. I join Arteta out brigade today…with the step up I already know Arsenal we lose this match

    1. ‘Sit back Arsenal and wait for them to score’, Tactically inept. What’s wrong with being on the FRONT FOOT fighting…from the off.

  37. AgIn Leno shoes he’s not a top goalkeeper… he should have been sold in the summer and Martinez made no1

    1. And why is Chambers playing there anyways? Arteta should swallow his pride and bring on Soares right now

  39. luiz luiz just wont tackle pure shite player,leno worse sack dat clown arteta

      1. Everyone
        How Leno got allowed that ball to roll into goal from his near side that too weak strike from Bowen’s weak foot

    2. Watch carefully that shot was deflected by an arsenal defender. Think it was chambers, need a better replay. The way the team switched off was horrible.

  44. Can we really blame arteta for the way we started. I say yes because he plays the same players who cant defend. Absolute shit and ffs get rid of party the worse player by a mile

    1. Because Laca and Auba are in the xi together. Thought Arteta would have realized that doesn’t work anymore. But he is an amateur manager. Out of his league. Prayers against Prague.

      1. Exactly Laca and Auba just does not work .
        We are making West ham look like Man City .
        Fcking joke team .

  48. Again this is the problem of players selection. What happened to Cedric who played very well against Tottenham last week.

  49. This is the least consistent Arsenal teams for decades. 1 week we are unplayable and the next we are dead flat.

    Suppose thats comes with continuous tinkering of the team. Keeping in mind we havd played less games than the top teams(in less comps) there really shouldn’t be the need to change so much.

    1. That’s the problem. We are saying credit to west ham as if it’s surprising they are kicking our butts. They’ve been better than us and above us in the table the entire season. Arsenal severely underestimating not turning up at all AGAIN. It really doesn’t matter we can beat united, spurs and Chelsea in a season when we don’t put in the right attitude against other sides. Awful.

    1. Only ever for the few seconds it takes to put the ball in the net….if he doesn’t he’s not playing

  53. Arsenal players are still asleep. Out-played and out-possessed for the first goal. Switched off for the 2nd goal.
    Whats Auba doing on the right? He’s usually useless there.
    A win in this game would’ve given us hope to qualify for Europa at least. If we lose this game, forget Europe.

  54. Leno sgoukd have saved both goals, but we put our world class (bwahaha) Kepper in that position.

  56. Until arteta leaves ephemeral optimism and mid table mediocrity is the future of this team … a manager that can’t envisage our best 11 without Luiz and xhaka is a manager I want out asap … and sick of the idiotic comments about giving him more time and the hidden quality of these mediocre players … clueless fans

  57. Tbh Partey hasnt done much in this game when he had the ball. Misplaced passes… I am still waiting for the world class midfielder who galvanizes our midfield… atleast hoped he would mark Soucek if Granit cant..

  58. I don’t understand why he took Gabriel out the team. Is he injured? Footballers want to play and they want consistency. Think if van dyke was taken out of Liverpool’s defence because the manager just wanted to play another centre back… you only take your top player out of the team and chop them around when your on top and winning games.

    1. He did the same with holding. What bad game did holding have where he deserved to be dropped for Luiz? Why is chambers starting over Cedric? Laca and Auba failed combo again????

    1. If we get a way with 4-0 here we should be greatful but its 3-0 now. I’m hoping that all you clowns who said give arteta a chance are eating your words what a bunch of berks you really are

      1. Thanks Perry
        Glad you had to at least have a small slice of humble pie. The game ends after 90 minutes 🤡🤡🤡🤡

  62. Nothing to worry about, Westham fighting for top four while Arsenal in midtable, what happens there is pure reflection our season, no need to mourn about it, we are no more a big club or whatever you like to call.

  64. MA is officially a tinkerman!

    We’ll never have any consistency the way he changes the team week in and week out.

  65. Chambers useless so far…
    Aub…minus 2
    Mari… just there nothing special
    Arteta needs to leave asap, he won’t make Arsenal better

  66. Possibly our worst 30mins of football this season.

    Leno for 2nd goal is comical getting beat like that and the players completely switching off is embarrassing defending.

    3-0 down. Mikel has to go

  69. Arsenal started the season playing absolute crap then Smith-rowe came in and almost single handedly changed the team. Now he has been forced to the fringes again and guess what we are playing crap again. Arteta’s man management is awful. Did we need ESR on Thursday to defend a 2 goal need, no we need him today instead he’s sat on the bench. Arteta might come good one day but he is nowhere near ready to coach a team like arsenal.

  72. Well done to David Moyes for rallying his troops from the off.
    This is embarrassing… hammered by the hammers!

  73. team full of has beens arsenal 45 million party lol mid table team at best mari luiz pairing come on guys

  74. I don’t know how to say. Very difficult for Arsenal to score a goal but very easy for West Ham to score 3 goals.

    Nightmare!

    May be 5:0 & 1 red card for Arsenal.

  77. Auba is useless coupled with MA changing the team every game and no ESR. Get Auba off! He is clearly sulking and has been virtually useless all season. Get him off!!

  78. Thats a horrible half! I hope MA rallies his troops and makes the neccessary changes. Maybe take off Partey or Xhaka and bring on someone like Ceballos? Or bring players like Gabi or Pepster?

  79. And to think there are some, not many, but some, who believe Arteta is the future of this club. Seriously, it gets worst and worst. Forget all this nonsense about he needs time. Much more time and we will be having London derbies against Leyton Orient
    Get this clown Arteta out NOW before it’s too late

    1. His fan boys will tell you that he is a boy genius who will eventually come good. He is doing his apprenticeship right now. Just be patient. This year he has managed to avoid relegation, major achievement me think!

    2. *Much more time and we will be having London derbies against Leyton Orient”…..fell off my chair with laughter….

    1. I agree. Seem this too often since his arrival. Misplaced passing, losing the ball, shoots but can’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo. Oedegard has been our best player so far. Aubamayang needs to be dropped !

    2. Really??
      Was Partey awful? Then Xhaka and Mari are a disaster.

      I like MA very much but the way he changes the team is really bad.

    3. @Perry – I don’t think Partey is awful. I believe this guy is suffering alot due to the crappy partners he’s had in midfield. Come to think of it, who are the midfielders that arsenal has? Xhaka?Ceballos? Willian? Even Odegaard is on loan, so he’s technically not our player.

      That guy needs quality players to bring out the best in him. When he was in Atletico, he had combative and skillful players complementing him.

  83. Our squad isn’t big enough to play epl, domestic cups and European football. Difference in energy between us and the hammers is stark. Our core are playing an extra 90mins a week plus travel, and it shows.

    2. LOL AT THE EXCUSES.

      We are FULL STRENGTH, apart from Willian.

      If we have fatigued players in the starting XI, its because MA chose them.

  84. How long will this farcical Arteta project last? We are getting hammered and languish in mid table mediocrity and yet the fan club wants us to believe he is the right guy to take us forward. We were used to ‘caviar’ to use the words of our once great manager Arsene Wenger. In the latter years of his tenure, the quality of the caviar went down for sure. But now we are being served utter garbage!

    1. Aubameyang off
      Party off
      2 players who if they never played for us again I wouldn’t mind. Yes it’s TRUE that aubameyang might score but really what has he done in the 1st half, sod all that’s what.
      Where are all the arteta lovers now

      1. Aubameyang needs to be replaced by Martinelli and Partey or Xhaka need to be replaced by ESR and Bring on Cedric for Chambers..
        Anyway he is not doing much defensively as far as aerial fights are concerned..

      2. That’s not fair really. I have supported him over all and still do but that doesn’t mean I’m an Arteta lover. I’m also able to see that for the first 35 minutes of that half the team were a disgrace

    1. I wish he could have taken that chance..
      Actually he could have even take touch there because defender was on his wrong side..

  89. the sad thing could have sold leno for 1 r 2 million back to germany kept emi

  91. Will, Arteta have the courage to take Auba, off Now. Only the enthusiasm of a Martinellii can save Arsenal.

  92. Chambers and auba on the right seriously? Arteta is either protecting them of their international duties or he has issues with some of the players

  93. luiz is 33 xhaka plays like a 33 year old midfielder yet they play every game its criminal,we cant even protest out side the ground pity

  94. Moyes, vastly experienced manager in PL
    Rodgers, vastly experienced manager in the UK
    Ancelotti, vastly experienced manager throughout Europe
    Arteta, no experience at ALL

    Lampard, not experienced at top level, just one season before Chelsea gig. Got sacked, replacement nicely experienced in Europe. Got Chelsea on 10 match unbeaten run, last 8 in CL, last 4 in FA Cup.

    See a pattern?

  95. Classic Mourinho-esque tactic from Moyes and I can see why West Ham is in top five. Their forwards pressed us high up the pitch to force Leno do a lot of long clearances and their CBs won the ball in the back

    Mourinho likes to collect towering players to win aerial duels and Moyes has been using his players’ size very well. Soucek/ Rice/ Diop/ Antonio won almost all aerial duels and Lingard was very quick

    1. We keep being told Arteta is building something. What is he building? There are no signs of improvement from a team perspective or from a tactical aspect. He can’t even get his lineups right stil. He thinks he’s clever for keeping martinelli out the team when he just looks like a fool

  97. The thing is, we need to stay focused the whole game. It is as Sue mentioned in one of the posts long back, we are kind of a one half team. Today too, we conceded due to basic mistakes. Xhaka or Partey should have marked Lingard and should not have allowed him to shoot, Xhaka repeatedly let Soucek wander in our box from midfield, the second goal is something the whole team should be ashamed for and well the third goal might be because of a lapse from Tierney and bad defensive organisation. I back MA’s decision for the XI because most players were on form except Auba and Chambers. He might not have expected the whole team to switch off like that but it is another one of defensive lapses under his watch. MA should prepare for such situations in future. Right now they need a real rollicking!
    Alright rant over! Off to dinner. COYG! Lets play well in the second half.

  98. I was having the same thought Joe. S. Aubameyang is useless and is becoming increasingly frustrating to watch lately. He might be the next prima dona to leave for Arteta’s this rebuilding project to be successful.

    Lacazette might not be as prolific as you would expect a top 9 to be, but he has spunk and is a dogged fighter. Auba is the weak link in our attack. We need to consider moving on from him. If he can’t score which we’ll continue to see more frequently in the EPL and he doesn’t take the few chances he gets, then we need to move him off. I strongly beleive we would have gotten a draw at best against the Spurs last week if he had started.

    ESR on the left wing won us that game. Those youngsters ahve a lot to prove and would play their heart out for the manager. It’s that simple!

    1. Oedegard was much more influential than ESR. Every time oedegard got the ball he went forward with menace and found the right pass. His ball retention was great !

  99. At least Flappyhandski commands his box, whereas Leno just stays on his line. Get Aubamayang off and Martinelli on and ESR on, fit or not. We need more energy.

  100. Not until Xhaka is replaced, we ain’t going no where as a club. Dead right leg. If Tierney isn’t available for a side pass, he goes back to Mari or Leno. Despite loosing balls, Partey and Odegaard are still trying to move the ball up the pitch. Xhaka is clearly an albatross on our neck, choking and dragging the whole backward.

    1. Why does he not even get a rest? He plays almost every Arsenal game, even the day he never shows up, he would still be left to on the pitch.

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