My predicted line up vs West Ham
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad will welcome West Ham for a London Derby tonight. After last week’s draw against Liverpool the lads should be well up for it and with the chance to go back top of the table, every point is important.
This should be a good game as West Ham are coming off a great win against Man United and will be wanting to continue that good form after climbing the table in recent weeks. With a few players missing this is how I think Arteta lines his squad up tonight.
In goal David Raya, he had a good game against Liverpool and is clearly the number one choice in Arteta’s eyes, I can’t see Aaron Ramsdale getting the nod. Hopefully Raya can keep a clean sheet and ensure we grab the points.
In defence I expect a back four of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko. With Tomiyasu missing, Zinchenko will be starting, he’s had a decent few games, but Arsenal fans will be hoping he steps it up a level. White has been good too recently and will have to work hard against West Ham’s dangerous wingers and Gabriel and Saliba just need to keep doing what they’ve been doing all season.
In the midfield I expect a three of Rice, Odegaard and Trossard. Havertz is ruled out of the game due to picking up a 5th yellow card vs Liverpool and is suspended for tonight match. Jorginho has had some niggling issues and I don’t think he will be ready to start. I think Trossard comes in for Kai, he played well in the midfield against Wolves, I think he easily steps in and does a job. Big game for Rice as he faces he boyhood club at his new home, I expect him to be on top form tonight just like every other night. Odegaard for me tonight has to step up, he’s been great recently but I still doesn’t feel like the same old Odegaard.
In attack I expect a front three of Saka, Jesus and Martinelli. Stock standard at this point but they all have been working hard together and all seem to be linking up well, and know instinctively what each other will do next. Jesus has been in red hot recent form and Arsenal will no doubt be counting on him to try get on the scoresheet. With Saka and Martinelli’s pace down the wings, West Ham will have a real task on their hands tonight.
So that’s a 4-3-3 formation of
Raya
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Zinchenko
Odegaard – Rice – Trossard
Saka – Jesus – Martinelli
What’s your thoughts Gooners? How do you think Arteta will line his squad up tonight?
Daisy Mae
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I also think Arteta will go with that starting line-up. West Ham would most likely park the bus, so we’d need Trossard’s and Zinchenko’s creativities
We can forget about West Ham low block set up, if that’s the case, they’ will only be inviting a relentless attack from a 3 1 3 3 formation, where our back line camp at the half way line, the old fox knows better and will most likely try something slightly different.
At this stage they are few players who have a greater claim to the premier league football player of the season award than Declan Rice.
Once again he is expected not only to Marshall our midfield but to neutralize the opposition which he’s too familiar with.
At the approximate half way stage of this season I CAN THINK OF NO other player anywhere who can seriously rival Rice for player of FIRST HALF of this season.
Based on their games against top EPL teams this season, they always sit back to do counter-attacks
Westharm are very dangerous on the break and Zichenko could be the victim. I still wonder why Arteta can’t try Zichenko in the place of Trossard while Kiwior play at left inverted full back. Well, I will respect his decision as the gaffar.
Ramsdale,
White,Saliba,Gabriel, Kwior,
Odegaard, Rice, Zinchenko,
Jesus,Nketiah, Saka.
West Ham are a threat at set pieces, and Ramsdale is better at high balls than Raya. We need a good defender to cope with Kudos so I would trust Kwior and play Zinchenko in his natural position.We are becoming too predictable up front so I would surprise the Hammers, and hopefully upset their game plan, by playing Saka on the left where he can cross without having to cut back and give Jesus the chance on the RW where he has often played for Brazil.
I would love to see Zinchenko in his natural position, but Arteta doesn’t fancy him there
I would only make one change to your lineup Daisy. I’d start Jorginho over Trossard so that Rice can play higher on the left. Would love to see ESR get some good minutes as well.
I’d like to see ESR given a chance to shine as I can see him becoming a very important player for us now that he’s back from injury. I’m hoping his minutes have been managed to prevent a reocurance of his injury and is slowly eased back to fitness with a few sub appearances or maybe a start today?
I disagree that Zinchenko has had “a decent run of games lately “. He’s actually been brilliant in his secondary responsibilities, but so poor in his assigned primary position that he does not qualify to be ahead of Kiwior.
Zinchenko cannot defend to safe his own life, and whoever thought it smart to play him in defence just does not have any idea of standards in the top leagues around the world.
Like Mesut Ozil, I would be sad to see him go; but Arteta must use him optimally.
I agree with you on Zinchenko, I like him but not in defence because he lacks speed against fast players like Kudus.
The only thing I would alter from your lineup is Jorginho for Trossard
Jorginho is not fully match fit yet and, at best, will start on the bench.
Thanks for the info jon
You are most welcome. None of us knows all the things that all other fans collectively know. Its not possible either.
Trossard is a workaholic we need him in today’s match and I even think he can occupy Zinchenko’s position in defence because he is agile and very powerful.
Zinchenko is a tactical player and he is playing an important role in our
tactics,no doubt.He achieves superiority when he shifts into the midfield. If transformed into essential a starting midfielder, the addition that he skillfully creates will no longer exist because the one who occupies the position of the left back does not have the ability to add the superiority in the midfield. Zinchenko represents an addition and superiority in Arsenal’s midfield, so the roles must be integrated between him.Magalais, Martinelli and Rice, depending on the position of the ball and the trend of play.
I mean they have to support him when it necessary.If we can do the same Real Madrid defense and midfield used to support Marcello who has the same creativity but lacks defensive attributes,but won with his team 4 champion league championship.
ESR will get a good run out tonight, but maybe not from the outset.
Raya,
White,Saliba,Gabriel, Kwior,
Odegaard, Rice, Zinchenko,
Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
I would favor that lineup with Trossard replacing Zinny in the second half. Kiwior is a better defender in that position than Zinny imo. Trossard usually has an impact from the bench late on.
I reckon DAISYS predicted line up has an above 90% chance of being exactly right. I dont foresee Kiwior starting and injuries have all but ensured the predicted line up IS the exact starting eleven.
Its possible, probably likely that an academy new boy or even two, may be on the bench and come on late in thegame , depending on how the game plays out.
But NO kid will start, that I can rule out, even though I know what they say about “famous last words”
I’m thinking Kiwior at left back and Zinchenko in midfield to play instead of the banned Havertz. Just seen Baguio above ⬆️ has suggested the same line up before I pressed post.
Grandad thinks the same too