Arsenal Predicted Starters To Face West Ham

As I have mentioned time and time again in my Starting XI previews, David Ospina has really stepped up to the plate in Petr Cech’s absence. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wenger played the Colombian in this game, but I’d like to see Cech get some much needed playing time in a testing game.

Hector Bellerin will have undoubtedly gotten a major confidence boost from his goal against Watford last weekend. He’ll need it for what will be a major challenge in marking a dangerous player in Dmitri Payet.

Will Arsene Wenger opt for Gabriel over Per Mertesacker for the second match in a row? He should, given that Gabriel is much better suited to deal with West Ham’s speedy attack. You can’t help but think that the German would struggle in a game like this, so better to be safe than sorry with Gabriel at the back.

At first it seemed that the Gabriel- Laurent Koscielny centre-back partnership wasn’t working out as Wenger had hoped, but the two were solid against  Watford. However, the much improved Hammers are a different animal all together, so this will be a bigger test for the two.

I’ve heard a few Arsenal fans on social media call Nacho Monreal “Mr. Consistent” again and again. They wouldn’t be wrong- he hasn’t really put a foot out of line this season and will almost certainly be Arsenal’s starter at left-back on Saturday afternoon.

Francis Coquelin’s game has improved a ton since Wenger partnered him with Mohamed Elneny. The midfield tandem will need to be solid against a team that is quick on the counter attack. Shielding the back four will be easier said than done for Coquelin and co.

Ditto for Mohamed Elneny. He can’t allow West Ham’s quick forwards to year though Arsenal’s midfield too easily- big challenge ahead for the Egyptian.

Joel Campbell brings what no other Arsenal player has brought to the team this season- passion. Luckily for Arsenal, the Costa Rican’s passion translates to goals and even assists as we saw against Watford. He’s finally arrived- no reason that he shouldn’t be in the squad given his form.

Finally, the Alexis Sanchez of old is  back. This may sound profound, but Alexis is at his best when he is scoring, and the Chilean seems as though he will be spurned on by that confidence- boosting goal against Watford.

Mesut Ozil was again instrumental against last week against Watford, even if he didn’t record an assist. We know West Ham will be very attack-minded, so Arsenal will have to play the best way they know how- by keeping possession and finding the perfect pass. Luckily for Arsenal, Ozil is one of the best in the world at doing just that.

Mesut Ozil will be looking to get the ball to Olivier Giroud up front on Saturday. The Frenchman has scored five goals in six games played against West Ham. Let’s hope that that statistic turns out to be a good omen for Arsenal tomorrow.