Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang smiles during warm up for the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on December 6, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Ham: Who replaces Aubameyang?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side’s first goal as Jordan Pickford (L) of Everton looks dejected during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 06, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Midfielders
Thomas Partey (CM) – The Ghanaian is still way off where he needs to be. There was definite improvement from him against the Saints, just not enough. Positionally he still was suffering from his lack of confidence and he wasn’t as silky on the ball.
Will that keep him out? Unlikely.
Granit Xhaka (CM) – Arteta actually took him off! That was the biggest surprise of all, even if it was the right call to make as he builds up his fitness after that lengthy absence.
He too wasn’t at his best in midfield with sloppiness in possession, but Arteta isn’t going to change his central partnership and will want the two to build up their chemistry in the Premier League.
Martin Odegaard (AM) – Goals, goals, goals.
It’s obviously an unsustainable rate for Odegaard, although even without the goals his overall performances have been impressive enough to see him keep playing. The Lacazette move was only ever a stop-gap decision, and this position is now the Norwegian’s to nail down long-term.
Continued on next page…
