Arsenal: 5 things we’d like to see vs West Brom

Arsenal take on West Brom in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday night and after the anguish of the previous two fixtures, it’s most welcome.

It would be wrong to suggest that Mikel Arteta is now feeling the heat. He’s been sat on a witches cauldron since October 2020.

The pressure is now different, though. Having overseen an upturn in solidity and defensive structure, all with a band of not-so-merry men holding the club back, much of that was offset by an appalling run of results in which Arsenal’s chances of scoring were about as slim as Willian turning down a churrascaria buffet.

Bringing in five new faces this summer, including two who once the squad is all fit are expected to be first team regulars, he has no room to hide as the excuses of not being blessed with players he wants can’t be coughed up.

Arsenal: 5 things we’d like to see vs West Brom as Mikel Arteta takes his side to the Hawthorns for Carabao Cup second round action on Wednesday

Premier League defeats to Brentford and Chelsea are somewhat certainly going to be followed by another loss to Manchester City (defeatist, much?) therefore sandwiching two title contenders with an EFL Cup trip to Championship opposition presents an opportunity to lift some spirits.

While nobody especially cares for this competition when the sole aim of the season is to push Arsenal back into European contention, it’s now a must-win fixture. Losing to Chelsea and quite possibly to Manchester City will not define the season, but falling to defeats at Brentford and against second tier sides will rightly see Arteta’s stock plummet further.

Rather importantly, too, a few goals wouldn’t go amiss. The feeling of the ball hitting the back of the net is all-too familiar for supporters. Just a shame it’s always at the wrong end.

This Wednesday night’s football may not be the Wednesday night football that the club would prefer, but it’s nonetheless welcome. Here’s what we’d like to see against the Baggies.

1. Martin Odegaard Making his Second Debut – Pepe Link-Up

Perhaps it’s more like one and a half debuts? Martin Odegaard has received clearance to play (again) for Arsenal and his second debut for the club is one that not only will aid the soft touch in the final third, but also lift the spirits of supporters.

Seeing new signings in action provides the fans with a lift and if his presence and performance can match that excitement then it’s precisely what the doctor ordered heading into the weekend.

What looks like being a preferred attacking trio behind the striker of Emile Smith Rowe, Odegaard and Bukayo Saka isn’t expected to feature, at least from the off, on Wednesday, so what the Norwegian can do in bringing the best out of those around him will make for interesting viewing.

Someone who could benefit the most from the 22-year-old being in the team is Nicolas Pepe. His best form in red and white came with Odegaard in the side.

The Ivorian’s best traits are his finishing and those blistering runs into the final third, and with someone who can actually thread those through balls to him in, the chances of him being in more threatening positions to score and not picking the ball up half way up the touchline increase.

Furthermore, we’re just excited to watch Odegaard play in the No. 8. Even if he hasn’t kicked a ball for two weeks.