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, Reiss Nelson
COLOGNE, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 23: Salih Oezcan of FC Koeln and Reiss Nelson of Arsenal battle for possession during the UEFA Europa League group H match between 1. FC Koeln and Arsenal FC at RheinEnergieStadion on November 23, 2017 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

No. 10/Striker

As I stated in the previous section, I envisage that Olivier Giroud will start as the central striker. He has played in every Europa League and Carabao Cup game this season, proving his worth as a valuable foil and alternative to Alexandre Lacazette.

Excitingly, and this may be my naive optimism taking over as it is what I want to happen, I think that Wenger will thrust Reiss Nelson into the attack. With Wilshere likely to sit out, having played 180 minutes in four days and now being needed in Ramsey’s absence, and Alex Iwobi also having started the last two Premier League matches, there aren’t too many other options available.

It would be brilliant to see Nelson in a more attacking role. Thus far, he has only featured at wing-back, which, while a position that he has the capability to play, is far from his best and most natural.

Next: Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: 5 things we learned

It will be interesting to see how much Wenger trusts this reserve side. If they win on Tuesday, then Arsenal suddenly enter a stage where they can feasibly think about winning the Carabao Cup. Does Wenger, at that point, begin to play a stronger side? We will have to wait and see. But, for now, let’s focus on West Ham.