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[Image] No Lacazette or Nelson – How Arsenal should line-up vs West Ham

By on March 6, 2020

Mikel Arteta Arsenal

Arsenal get back to Premier League action when we take on West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. Here’s the line-up I’d like Mikel Arteta to select…

We put in a very professional performance during the 2-0 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Monday night but Arteta should still make plenty of changes this weekend with a number of first team regulars recalled.

Bernd Leno should obviously come back in for Emi Martinez in goal while Hector Bellerin will start at right-back after being rested for the trip to Fratton Park. Sokratis did well enough filling-in and scored a fine goal so I’d actually like to see him keeping his place in the team. Shkodran Mustafi has been in decent form by his standards but he’s apparently carrying a knock so I’d go with Sokratis alongside David Luiz tomorrow.

Pablo Mari made a very encouraging debut against Portsmouth but is he ready to start in the league yet? I’m not convinced, so I’d drop him to the bench. Sead Kolasinac is out with a shoulder injury but Kieran Tierney is back in full training. However, the Scottish international lacks match fitness so I’d stick with Bukayo Saka – who’s been excellent at left-back recently.

Torreira out

Unfortunately, Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow with the news that Lucas Torreira is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a fractured foot against Portsmouth so Arteta has one less option in midfield.

Matteo Guendouzi seems to be struggling for form right now so I think it’s a fairly easy decision to start Dani Ceballos alongside Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park this weekend.

dani ceballos arsenal

I thought Joe Willock was disappointing again on Monday night and he’s not really taking his chances to stake a claim for a first team shirt. Mesut Ozil hasn’t exactly been ripping up trees this season but he still does A LOT more than Willock in the No.10 role so he’s got to start tomorrow.

No Lacazette

I’ve been saying it for a months but it’s time to stop playing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out on the wing. Alexandre Lacazette has got a couple of goals lately but he still isn’t doing enough to justify a regular starting spot – especially if it means playing your best player and most potent goal threat out of position.

Therefore, I’d drop Lacazette to the bench and start Aubameyang through the middle. That would also make room for Gabriel Martinelli to start on the left side the attack. I think the Brazilian youngster deserves a run in the team as he’s a HUGE prospect who can become a world class talent.

Reiss Nelson was excellent against Portsmouth so no doubt he’ll be hoping to keep his place after his MOTM display. However, I’d still like to see Nicolas Pepe start on the right-back against West Ham.

Here is how I hope Arsenal line-up:

football formations