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4-2-3-1: No Ramsey, Lacazette or Koscielny: My Arsenal XI to face West Ham

By on April 21, 2018

Rob-Holding-arsenal

It will be an emotional afternoon at the Emirates as Arsenal take on West Ham in our first game since Arsene Wenger announced he’ll be leaving this summer. Here is the team I would like to see the boss select….

Goalkeeper: Cech

Ospina is back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury and it will be interesting to see who Wenger is planning to go with against Atletico Madrid on Thursday. Assuming he’s going to recall Ospina, then Cech should play tomorrow.

Defence: Chambers, Mustafi, Holding, Kolasinac

I don’t think we should be taking any chances with our key defenders as there is very little riding on this game, other than giving Wenger a decent send-off, so Bellerin, Koscielny and Monreal should be rested.

Chambers isn’t a great right-back but he’s the best we’ve got right now as back-up for Hector while Holding can start alongside Mustafi as he did at Newcastle last week. Kolasinac obviously comes in for Monreal at left-back.

Midfield: Elneny, Xhaka

Ramsey is back in contention after recovering from a cut that kept him out of the trip to St James’ Park last weekend but I wouldn’t risk him from the start tomorrow. Let’s leave him on the bench.

Wilshere remains a doubt with a minor ankle injury so I don’t think he should be risked either meaning Elneny could once again start alongside Xhaka in midfield.

Attack: Welbeck, Iwobi, Ozil, Aubameyang

Aubameyang should obviously play as he won’t feature in Europe and I’d protect Lacazette as he’s certain to lead the line up front against Atletico if fit.

Ideally we could rest Ozil but as we saw last week against Newcastle, the team lacks creativity without him so maybe we should give him a start against West Ham but sub him off in the second half.

Mkhitaryan is back in light training after making a swift recovery from a knee injury but he won’t be available to face West Ham so we don’t have too many options in attack.

Unfortunately Reiss Nelson isn’t available either after helping the U23’s win the title yesterday so Welbeck and Iwobi may have to join Ozil in supporting Aubameyang in the final third tomorrow.

This is the team I hope we see: