Arsenal’s Lineup vs West Brom is Mikel Arteta’s Easiest Call This Season

Arsenal take on West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday.

Even more daunting than Chelsea or Brighton, the prospect of Arsenal facing a blue and white wall for 95 minutes without the tools to scale it may not make for entertaining viewing.

West Brom have a distinct way of playing. Sam Allardyce has an even more distinct way of playing. It isn’t very pretty.

The last fixture at the end of a grueling festive schedule sees Arsenal pitted against the Baggies in search of their third straight Premier League victory. It’s not hyperbole to state we’d rather face Chelsea again. Genuinely.

Tiring, demanding, mental draining and frustrating, West Brom will pack six men in their backline, four in midfield, none up top and probably score with their only effort on target.

Plenty of tired legs will be tasked with picking the Baggies’ titanium lock, so Mikel Arteta may look to freshen up his side for the journey north.

He shouldn’t. This is the easiest starting lineup he’ll pick all season.

Morale has peaked this season following six points from two matches, with the personnel who helped secure those wins working together to create the most suited unit to succeed in the Premier League. Still far from perfect, this formula is the best one Arteta has come up with this term. Don’t change it.

Arsenal have the luxury of a full week off following Saturday’s clash at the Hawthorns, next facing Newcastle on home soil…in the FA Cup. It’s then not until the following Thursday where they host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.

These players will be feeling the effects of a busy fixture schedule, but it would be folly to rest Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe at this stage. With 12 days’ rest until the next league fixture, playing the best side at his disposal is the only option for Arteta.

Against a side who’ll park the proverbial bus, the most technically gifted, neat operators are the ones who will open the doors. Don’t break up a winning team. Especially now.

Smith Rowe will be essential in the rare pockets of space he can find, while Saka’s dexterity and nimble footwork make him one of a select few who can beat a man. Martinelli‘s raw pace and aggression will set the tone. Easiest lineup this season.

The only debate is at centre-forward.