Strongest Arsenal lineup To Face West Ham United – Gibbs Is Back, Rosicky May Start Too

Strongest Arsenal lineup to face West Ham United

After edging past Wigan in the semi final of the FA Cup on penalties, Arsenal now turn focus to the Premier League as they take on West Ham United in a bid to reclaim fourth position in midweek. Everton are currently two points above Arsenal sitting the last Champions League berth available after securing a 1-0 win over Sunderland in the weekend. The Hammers come into the clash fully aware that the Gunners would be tired and manager Sam Allardyce knows his side can return from Emirates with something in their kitty. Arsenal can ill afford to drop points at this time of the campaign and Wenger’s men will know how catastrophic would be to drop points at home. So what will be Arsenal’s strongest lineup against West Ham? We here at Soccersouls have the answer for our readers.

Arsenal Lineup – Goalkeeping And Defense

Lukasz Fabianski was the hero for Arsenal saving two penalties in the shootout but Wojciech Szczesny should return to the line up to man the goal in front of the packed Emirates. Andy Carroll is expected to be a major threat for the home team given West Ham’s “long ball up front” style of play. Allardyce’s men gave Liverpool a stern test of their credentials and should look to hit Arsenal where it hurts most, in the air. Szczesny needs to make sure he comes up with the goods on the night to avoid yet another embarrassment in Arsenal’s self wrecking season so far.

Bacary Sagna should start in the right and look to keep Stewart Downing quiet on the flanks, occasionally joining attacks from the back. Kieran Gibbs will man the left back spot for Arsenal as he looks to continue his rich vein of attacking form. Centre back Laurent Koscielny is set to miss out as Belgian Thomas Vermaelen will partner Per Mertesacker will look to keep out the Hammers attack at bay. West Ham have scored only scored seven in their last seven games but will carry a significant attacking threat.

Arsenal Lineup – Midfield

Arteta

Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta will act as the double pivot for Arsene Wenger’s side on the pitch. While the Spaniard will look to recycle possession, Ramsey will look to join attacks with his late runs from the heart of midfield. Thomas Rosicky will play in the number ten role if he passes the late fitness test and Santi Cazorla will be drafted on the left. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain on the right will make his darts in the middle to double up with Giroud’s presence up front.

Arsenal Lineup – Strike force

Yaya Sanogo started for the Gunners against Wigan and grew in confidence after  Olivier Giroud came on as a substitute. However Wenger is sure not to play two strikers from the start hence the Giroud will again play as the target man up front on his own. His hold up abilities will be crucial as the midfielders will look to assist him in every way possible in the final third.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup To Face West Ham