Arsenal make the short trip east to take on West Ham in today’s London derby, and do so with almost a full squad of options.
Willian needs to be assessed before kick-off at the London Stadium to see if he will be made available for the clash, but the good news is that Bukayo Saka returns to the squad.
Arsenal.com confirmed that the youngster had responded well to treatment, and that he had returned to full training after being left out of the Europa League clash with a hamstring issue.
Willian was suffering with a calf problem, and was also withdrawn ahead of Thursday night’s encounter with Olympiacos.
Alex Runarsson was the only other player unavailable in midweek, due to being ineligible to play in the Europa, but returns to the squad this weekend.
Predicted Arsenal XI:
Leno
Cedric Holding Mari Tierney
Partey Xhaka
Saka Odegaard Smith Rowe
Aubameyang
While Lacazette hasn’t played much of late, I think a return to fitness for the favoured SOS will see the manager throw Auba back up front.
Arteta will not be keen on taking this fixture lightly, with West Ham currently threatening the Champions League places, and we simply cannot afford to be dropping many points if we still believe in making the European places.
The Brazilian central pairing played in midweek, as did Bellerin, so I’m expecting all three to be changed going into today’s clash, and while I would prefer to see Chambers get the nod, the manager hasn’t convinced me that he is willing to play him regularly as of yet.
Who would you like to see in today’s starting line-up?
Patrick
To answer the question…….Martinelli .
Roll on 3pm……..COYG.
Leno,
Tierney, Gabi, Luiz, Cedric,
Xhaka, Partey time,
Martinelli, Odegaard, Saka,
Auba
Every match is important. We need to finish as high as possible and end on winning most of our remaining matches to be positive for next season
My prediction
Aubameyang.
Willian. Odegaard. Pepe.
Xhaka. Partey.
Tierney. Gabriel. Luiz. Cedric.
Leno.
Gabi, of course! 3 points needed.. COYG
2 things I’m not looking forward to seeing:
Jessie Lingard
Jon Moss
The U23s take on Everton @1pm. Live on YouTube
My two things I’m looking forward to…..
Auba goal
Odegaard goal
2-0!
Win this game and we will have had a remarkably good, if rarely acknowledged, four weeks. Into the QFs of EL and securing ten out of 12 possible points in PL – including 9 against teams above us in the table – leaving us two points from 6th place and the form team amongst six competing for 5th and 6th.
Fine margins though. Lose and it’s back to doom and despair for most. Oh who would be a PL manager…
To answer question, I think Arteta sticks with Luiz and Gabriel but agree with rest of your prediction on starting XI.
————– Leno
Cedric – Holding – Mari – Tierney
———- Xhaka – Partey
——Saka – ESR – Martinelli
————— Laca
It’s important to be positive. I am sure we can deal with threat thrown at us provided we play hungry players. I would prefer seeing Lacazette and Martinelli starting upfront. Defence chooses itself. and midfield will do well provided Ceballos is shunned. Go on my boys.