Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs West Ham United: Predicted starting XI – Lacazette returns

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Full backs

Mirroring the centre-half situation, given certain injuries, it is easy to see who Emery believes should comprise his starting pair of full backs. But again, neither are especially confidence-instilling, with doubts cast over both Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal.

The former’s defensive acumen, or lack thereof, is extremely concerning, unable to forge a stable partnership with Henrikh Mkhitaryan against Chelsea as Marcos Alonso and Willian, and then Eden Hazard, continually exploited the Arsenal right flank, and he doesn’t offer the same vibrant attacking presence that he did when he first broke onto the scene.

Monreal does have the defensive wherewithal and experience. But he is now 32 years of age and was never the most athletic in the first place. He has been caught out by speedier wingers in the past. Don’t be surprised if it happens again. Nevertheless, of the possible challengers to either starting position, only Stephan Lichtsteiner is fit. He will push Bellerin, but not just yet.