Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs West Ham United: Predicted starting XI – Future of the defence

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on December 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on December 13, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Theo Walcott
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Theo Walcott of Arsenal takes a penalty during the FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Wingers

I have, for the purposes of this piece, separated out the front four into two groups: Wingers and No.10/Striker. However, while, spoiler alert, Olivier Giroud will be fairly central and stationary, if he starts, those who play behind him, I expect, will be much more fluid, not sticking to their starting positions. So take the positions that I have predicted them to play with a grain of salt.

Wenger has always confirmed that Theo Walcott will play. He was again not on the bench against Newcastle United and is seemingly being fazed out of the Premier League team, even if Wenger vehemently denies such suggestions. With Walcott presumably starting on the right wing, I expect Danny Welbeck to be stationed on the left.

The talented, if a little infuriating, attacker is still working his way back to match sharpness. Any game time that he can be given will help him in that endeavour. There are few better opportunities than a lesser-pressured Carabao Cup tie.