Arsenal Vs West Ham United: 5 things we learned – Hint of the future?

3. Sead Kolasinac’s place is in trouble

When Sead Kolasinac was dropped for last week’s midweek trip to West Ham United, it was assumed, largely, that Wenger was resting him ahead of the upcoming festive period, something that the Bosnian has never experienced before given that this is his first season in England.

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That thinking, though, was cast into doubt when Ainsley Maitland-Niles, his replacement against West Ham, again started in the win over Newcastle United on Saturday. Perhaps this was a dropping, not a resting.

That may have been confirmed against West Ham on Tuesday night. Kolasinac started in the Carabao Cup alongside players who have had little to no playing time in the Premier League this season.

Now, there have not been many clear-cut reasons as to why he has been dropped. Although his form has not replicated his early season success, it has been far from disastrous. But Wenger, for whatever reason, has seen something. It may be for Maitland-Niles; it may be for Nacho Monreal. Whoever it’s for, Kolasinac’s starting place is in severe trouble.