Arsenal Vs West Ham: Emiliano Martinez Against Andy Carroll Terrifying

With David Ospina nursing an abdominal issue, Emiliano Martinez is set to start. The prospect of him facing off with Andy Carroll is a terrifying one for Arsenal.

The Premier League rolls on and Arsenal are in need of a minor miracle. After a series of poor performances and results have seen them falter badly in the latter half of the season, Arsene Wenger’s men now find themselves seven points behind the top four positions and in danger of spoiling Wenger’s unblemished European qualification record.

After the nervy but fair draw to Manchester City on Sunday failed to help either club, the Gunners now enjoy another home game, one which is the definition of a must-win. West Ham United enter the tie in poor form themselves, with Slaven Bilic coming under increased pressure as a result, and will be looking to save themselves an end of the season filled with stress and worry as they slip closer and closer to the relegation zone.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Arsenal are in desperate need of a win and to do so, they will have to contend with the physical prowess of Andy Carroll. The West Ham striker has been in scintillating form since the turn of the year, scoring five goals in his last eight games. He has also enjoyed great success against the North London club, scoring a magnificent, seven-minute hat-trick towards the back end of last season.

His physical force, especially aerially, is what cause Arsenal so many problems. And they will now have to deal with the big man without either of their two starting goalkeepers. Petr Cech has been ruled out of the next month or so with a calf injury and now David Ospina is set to miss Wednesday night’s fixture thanks to an abdominal issue that he picked up in the draw with City.

That will see Emiliano Martinez enter the fray. You would be justified in feeling rather concerned about that prospect. While in limited showings throughout his career thus far, Martinez has displayed an adept shot-stopping ability with quick reflexes and subtle agility, it is not his ability to stop shots that is the cause for such worries.

Rather, it is the command of his penalty area, a trait that has been sorely missing from many past Arsenal goalkeepers. Martinez lacks the experience and the authority to be commanding from set-pieces and crosses, an aspect of the game that Carroll thrives off.

Next: Arsenal: 30 Greatest Players In History

In a game of the utmost importance, Arsenal could have done without any key injuries. Missing Ospina may well have been the worst one that could have happened. Let’s hope Martinez can handle the pressure.

Home/Arsenal News