The hot topic of the moment for Arsenal fans is how we get back to the fluent football and free scoring style that was so encouraging from the Gunners up until the nasty month of November slowed us down. A lot of people have suggested that the loss of Santi Cazorla to our lengthy injury list has been a big factor so Arsene Wenger and the players must find a way to cope without him.
Many Gooners were hoping that our summer signing Granit Xhaka would be the man to do it but it is fair to say that he has not really done so yet, although some will say that the boss has not given him enough chances, but he has turned to the Swiss international in Santi’s spot today, with Francis Coquelin to protect the back four and both Ramsey and Elneny on the bench.
One of the other decisions the boss had to make was at right back, where he has gone for Gabriel and with Jenkinson not even on the bench as Rob Holding makes the matchday squad instead. Wenger has also stuck with Alexis Sanchez in the centre forward role as Giroud is still out with a knock. He has also opted for Oxlade-Chamberlain over Iwobi and he will be hoping that this team proves that he was right to rest all the big players for the midweek EFL cup loss.
Cech
Gabriel, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal
Coquelin, Xhaka
Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alexis
Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Holding, Ramsey, Elneny, Iwobi, Lucas.
Can Arsenal start strongly and get a comfortable win over West Ham or are we in for another tough day?
Bob.