Pick your Arsenal team to face West Ham tomorrow – Time to rotate?

Arsenal have not had a good start to December in  the Premier League, with a defeat against Man United and a draw at Burnley, but with a game every three days at the moment they have a chance to get on track against West Ham at the London Stadium tomorrow evening.

But the question arises as to whether Wenger will be giving some first team players a rest or not, considering that West Ham seem to have suddenly come into some good form after beating Chelsea at the weekend. Our reserves had a great game against BATE last Thursday and are back to playing well together and a few of them looked ready to play in the Premier League.

I doubt that Wenger will be making wholesale changes but Aaron Ramsey is definitely out so we expect to see Jack Wilshere get his first League start, and we will all be hoping that Shkrodan Mustafi can return at centre-back.

But what else should Wenger change? Personally I hope that Xhaka is given time on the bench to consider his form, and Coquelin has played well in the last two EL fixtures and deserves a chance.

Walcott was also impressive as captain last Thursday and, to be honest, I want him to replace Alexis. There is definitely something wrong with the Chilean and he needs a rest. Giroud has also earned a start, and he is likely to be more suited to a tough London derby than Lacazette.

So here is the team I’d like to see….

Cech
Koscielny  Mustafi  Monreal
Bellerin  Wilshere Coquelin  Kolasinac
Walcott  Ozil
Giroud

Who would you pick to start tomorrow?

Admin

34 Comments

    1. I like the line-up, but I prefer Guardiola’s 4-3-3 than the old and shaky Wenger’s 4-2-3-1:

      Ospina
      Debuchy, Mustafi, Koscienly, Kolasinac
      Coquelin
      Wilshere, Ozil
      Welbeck, Lacazette, Alexis

    2. why Ospina? he can play against West Ham in the EFL cup on the 19th December then Nottingham forest on the 7th Jan and in the two games in Europa league in Feb

      1. We need to rest Alexis, He has been loosing the ball constantly, I want to see how Xhaka will play with Coquelin behind him so that’s why I added him but I would play Elneny on his place also. First Sub would be Walcott for Xhaka so that walcott can take Ozil place and play as a winger so he can run behind tired defenders. 2nd Sub if winning Welbeck for Giroud with LAca takinf the striker position, and 3rd sub would be to rest Wilshere for Maitland Niles changing for 4-2-3-1
        Ospina
        Debuchy-Mustafi-Koscielny-Kolasinac
        Coquelin
        Wilshere – Xhaka
        Ozil – Giroud – Lacazette
        at the end looking like this:
        Coquelin – Niles
        Walcott – Ozil – Welbeck
        Lacazette.

  1. Admin I think Ozil and Wishere cancel each other out so give Ozil a rest on the bench and have Sanchez play, i like that you have Walcott in your team because JW and TW they know each others movements so it can be a plus

    Cech
    Koscielny Mustafi Monreal
    Bellerin Wilshere Coquelin Kolasinac
    Walcott Sanchez
    Giroud

    1. Two creative players in central midfield do NOT cancel themselves out, whatever that means. An odd phrase to use about two complemetary type players running central midfield together. Others who do so are De Bruyne and Silva , and the best ever were Xavi and Iniesta. We have lacked creativity big time for ages now; witness all the boring side to side passing as a result. NO. We badly need both of these players in central midfield together and it will be a huge improvement in creativity and pleasing style. Wilshere should replace the appalling Xhaka and Welbeck to replace the injured Ramsey. No Walcott, EVER , likewise Merts. I would play a back four for West Ham of Debuchy, Kos, Mustafi and Kolasinac. Bellerin is shocking of late and is a liability at present and must be left out.

  2. I believe the three central defenders would not repeat similar mistakes in the back. Cech’s height and dominance in the air is still more assuring than Ospina’s quick reaction.

    It would be good if Coquelin acts as a defensive midfielder to support a creative midfielder like Xhaka. Wilshere really looked on fire against BATE and Sanchez is still Arsenal’s main creative engine, even though he is not at his best.

    In this away match, if they use 3-4-2-1 formation again, unfortunately they have to select a striker that can penetrate in quick counter-attacks and the one that can be flexible with his position, which is Lacazette. Unless they use a two-striker formation, then Giroud and Lacazette can support each other with their unique strengths. Hence my preferred line-up would be:

    Cech
    Koscielny Mustafi Monreal
    Bellerin Xhaka Coquelin Kolasinac
    Wilshere Sanchez
    Lacazette

    1. How can you possibly consider Xhaka , the awfuil Xhaka, a creative midfielder? Perhaps for the oppositions chances to score though.

  3. Xhaka should completely benched for the rest of the season, he cannot run, tackle, jump or manuevre and move out of tight situations. My team
    Cech
    Kos holding monreal
    Debuchy coq wilshere kolas
    Ozil giroud laca

  4. Rotation is a must…we must rest at least 5 to 6 players

    City, Chelsea, Utd and fool are going to rotate as well

  5. the fact that many of you want coquelin ospina and debuchy shows you everything thats wrong with arsenal.
    Coquelin couldnt even perform against bate.
    Cech was good against southampton ospina is too prone to mistakes.
    Dont forget the fact that westham beat chelsea so what are the chances your line ups will win this match.

    a better line up is
    cech
    holding kos monreal
    nelson elneny wilshere kolasinac
    ozil
    lacazette giroud

    1. Your line-up shows me everything that is wrong with Wenger. Giroud sucks as a starter and mostly disappoints. Look at his underwhelming performance against Bate. He is probably the most impactful substitute in the PL but that doesn’t make him an effective starter. He had years to show what he could do as a starter and it was poor for Arsenal standards.

      Coq was a critical player for us 2 years ago and has been sidelined since but in a 4-3-3 and given the simple task of disrupting the opposing teams attack he is very effective. You just can not pair him with another DM but if you play a 4-3-3 he can be the only DM in addition to the 4 at the back. Nelson is very talented going forward but is not ready to be a PL wing-back.

  6. Ospina
    Bellerin – Mustafi – Kos – Kolasinac
    Coq
    Ozil – Wilshire
    Sanchez – Laca – Iwobi

    Bellerin – is much better in a for at the back.
    Coq – can keep things simple as support for the back 4 with occasional help from Wilshire
    Ozil – can give the creative spark and roam freely
    Sanchez is much better on the right and too predictable on the left.
    Iwobi – had his best games on the left

    1. On reflection though I think Bellerin should be dropped for Debuchy.
      I like Kolasinac’s spirit and power but he needs to be told his right leg is not just for standing on, also to get to the byline more and cross the ball rather than pass it backwards all the time.

  7. Please no Mertesacker! I’m not a fan of Coquelin.. would love to see Wilshere start. Some have underperformed recently so drop them… make them play for their place! Sanchez Xhaka!!!

  8. Aparently Mustafi defo out with thigh strain or is Wenger telling porkies?
    We need a decent centre back though, to mark Carroll.

  9. 3412 is how I would go.

    Cech in goal as usual.

    Chambers, Kos, Monreal
    Bellerin, Xhaka, Wilshere, Sead
    Ozil
    Lacazette, Giroud

    Time to unleash Giroud and Lacazette together!
    Giroud has stepped up again since Laca arrival IMO and deserves a start but I wouldn’t do it at Lacazette expense, I would drop a AM and Alexis has been losing the ball a lot recently so drop him.

    When with the ball then our team would almost look like:

    Xhaka
    Bellerin, Ozil, Wilshere, Sead
    Lacazette Giroud

    and without it have Giroud drop a bit deeper to almost AM pos, Giroud doesn’t have the pace but he has the flick ons and good with his vision, he brings others into play a lot.

  10. I agree with the people saying 4 at the back with Kolsanic as LB. Why not try it?
    No offense to Monreal. He has done an admirable job as CB and LB, but Kolsanic was one of the best Lbs in the Bundesliga last year. Why not play him in his best position?

    Also, I’m fine with trying Debuchy at RB over Bellerin. Let’s give it a shot. That’s why we bought him in the first place.

    We shouldn’t rigidly stick to 3 at the back all season. We should play formations according to our opponents and player availability. Also, try to play players in their natural positions also

  11. A 442 Formation is the best for the rest of the season.

    Bellerin Monreal Kos Kolasinac

    Xhaka Nzonzi/Coq

    Sanchez Ozil

    Lacazette Giroud
    Wenger should encourage his full backs to send more crosses into the box. Quality crosses I mean.

    Wilshere and Iwobi to rotate with Ozil and Ramsey to rotate with Xhaka.

    Play Giroud and Lacazette together.

    Buy Nzonzi. A midfield of Xhaka and Nzonzi is a strong one. Sell Sanchez to Madrid in January if he does not want to sign the contract. Keep Ozil

  12. Wenger won’t do it, but we should go to a back four. Although Cech is finished, he’s still a better option than the disastrous Ospina, give Coq another chance in front of the back four, he’s best position and sit there in a disciplined defensive roll, Monreal back to he’ best position at left back, he overlaps and gets behind the full back better than Kola who moves along side Kos in central defence to replace the injured Mustafi. A deep lying Jack instead of Xhaka partnered by Iwobi or, still undecided, a young Reiss-Nelson, if you’re good enough you’re old enough Going forward with, Alexis, Ozil and Laca
    Cech- Bella, Kos, Kola Monreal
    Coquelin
    Wiltshere, Reiss-Nelson/ Iwobi
    Alexis, Ozil, Lacazette

  13. ……………….Cech
    Debuchy..Mustafi..Koscielny..Kolasinac
    ………Wilshere..Elneny
    ………………Ozil
    …….Lacazette..Giroud..Alexis

    433. We can’t keep going with a regular formation. This is a line up I’d like to see as an option, not v hammers just one of a number of different setups. If we look under strength in midfield I’d be ready to swap out Ozil for a tougher competitor, but I’d want some effort from all three with Wilshere and Ozil spreading balls forward, and Ozil making the tip of a triangle.

    Xhaka needs to get a jolt, even with few options you cannot keep giving a player, a slide/a pass, when he is involved with the majority of our goals against, again at Sou this time. The lad has to be dropped because at nil all we could have nicked three points but for that fluff between those ears.

    At WHam I’d go with a 451, and if Lacazette is not receiving the service I’d withdraw an attacking midfielder (for Giroud) to help win something Lacazette can feed from. I’d make the call early.

  14. …………………….Cech
    Debuchy. Chambers. Koscielny. Monreal.
    ………………..Coquelin
    ………….Wilshere….Ozil
    …..Alexis….Lacazette…..Iwobi.

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