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[Image] Saka out, Martinelli starts in 4-2-3-1: My Arsenal line-up vs West Ham

By on March 20, 2021

gabriel martinelli 2019

Arsenal take on West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This is the team I’d like to see Mikel Arteta select for the match…

Bernd Leno will once again keep goal for Arsenal tomorrow and I don’t think there should be too many changes in defence either. Kieran Tierney is vitally important for us so he should remain at left-back while Gabriel deserves to keep his place as he’s been in fine form lately.

David Luiz could have done better to prevent the Olympiacos goal on Thursday night but he’s forging a decent partnership alongside Gabriel so I’d stick with him. That means Rob Holding and Pablo Mari will remain on the bench but I would make one change with Cedric Soares replacing Hector Bellerin at right-back.

Thomas Partey made a big impact off the bench on Thursday so he should obviously be recalled to start against West Ham as Arsenal desperately need a win tomorrow. Partey should line-up alongside Granit Xhaka with Dani Ceballos and Mo Elneny on the bench.

Martin Odegaard also impressed after coming on against Olympiacos and it only highlighted how important he’s already become for Arsenal. So I hope he starts in the No.10 role tomorrow afternoon.

Bukayo Saka missed the Europa League defeat with a thigh injury and he remains a doubt for the trip to West Ham. I don’t think we should take any risks as a set-back would be a big blow so a place on the bench is the best Saka should hope for.

I thought Gabriel Martinelli looked sharp when he came on last time out and it was great to see him back in the Arsenal team after being frozen out. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on but I’d love to see him handed a start if Saka isn’t fit.

Nicolas Pepe is another viable option in attack but Willian is a doubt with a hip injury so Emile Smith Rowe could keep his place against the Hammers.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a night to forget against Olympiacos as he missed a number of chances but I’d still stick with him up front meaning Alexandre Lacazette would be on the bench.

This would be my Arsenal line-up:

football formations

2 Comments

  1. Tony Pezzolesi

    March 20, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    Saka is fit to start

  2. Stephan Larose

    March 20, 2021 at 8:28 pm

    Auba looked SO tired last game. Rest him. He’s not 22 anymore.