Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Brom: Martinelli at CF?

Arsenal host West Brom at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as their last four Premier League fixtures await them. Here is the predicted lineup.

Most of the responses post-Villarreal capitulation to who should start on Sunday will have included the mention of ’11 completely different players’. Something of the sort, anyway.

Mikel Arteta oversaw the drabbest of drab matches when the opportunity to reach the Europa League final was dangling in front of their eyes, only for the team to have been wearing blindfolds. A lethargic and uninspired performance has changed the face of the club’s future, one that is now placed in the hands of inexperienced people learning on the job.

But, before moving on to what may come in the summer, there is the little matter of four Premier League matches to contend with, starting with relegation doomed West Brom on Sunday.

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Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Brom: Miguel Azeez, Folarin Balogun & Gabriel Martinelli to feature?

So, there are two scenarios facing Arteta for this one. The first is the one that supporters will want to see, while the second is one he will be preferring be implemented.

From a fans’ perspective, the season is over and the likes of Miguel Azeez and Folarin Balogun can begin their development and integration into the first team sooner than expected. Why not? It’s West Brom at home with nothing riding on it, so moving their involvement forward a few months makes absolute sense. However, having played on Friday, it’s unlikely.

As for the manager, he knows he’s skating on thin ice and three points with a commanding performance is all he’ll be aiming for to prevent the growing contingent of furious supporters from grabbing their pitchforks to go along with their torches.

Just a few days later a trip to Stamford Bridge beckons, so fitness comes into play as well. A few of the players on Thursday looked dead on their feet, while Granit Xhaka didn’t even survive the warm-up.

What may he decide?

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Mat Ryan (GK) – Starting two of the past three Premier League outings, the obvious suggestion as to why he’s being fielded as much would be that Arteta is keen to get a good look at Ryan ahead of making a decision in the summer. There is no reason for that to change on Sunday, he’s done well when featured.

Calum Chambers (RB) – A change at full-back looks set to be in order, partly because of Hector Bellerin’s excursions on Thursday and partly because he also lost the ball an obscene number of times. Looked desperately off the pace and Chambers coming in also makes sense for height.

Rob Holding (CB) – Depends on David Luiz’s fitness but it was farcical that he would even be anywhere near contention for the Villarreal tie having pulled his hamstring just a few days prior. Holding may be keeping this seat warm until William Saliba provides him with competition next season.

Pablo Mari (CB) – Purely because Gabriel and Holding don’t work together and also on the basis that if Luiz does come back for Chelsea then it would make sense to partner him with Gabriel at Stamford Bridge. Solid in the air, his presence will be needed against the Baggies.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – The situation with Cedric remains bizarre. Yes, he had a shocker against Slavia Prague in the final stages, but to be totally exempt since then feels unjust. He isn’t a left-back, sure, yet with Tierney still some way off fitness, it would make sense to start him here.

Arteta is more likely to give the Scot a run out then change things, however.