The one change Arsenal must not make vs West Ham

Heading into Sunday’s clash against West Ham off the back of two consecutive victories and seven combined goals against Chelsea and Manchester United, there isn’t anything explicitly in need of altering for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta has undoubted qualities as a coach and manager but how he handles situations of apparent crisis is not one of them. Notable examples from across his tenure show faults in his decision making that have proven costly.

Opting to bring Mohamed Elneny into the fold against Chelsea, a move few would have favoured or even predicted before the game, turned out to be a successful one. Three consecutive defeats risked derailing the season only for the manager to find the requisite formula and personnel to suit the team’s needs.

One of the other changes he made was at centre-forward, with Eddie Nketiah coming into the team in place of Alexandre Lacazette. He did so at Southampton four days prior, a move that was forced on account of the club captain‘s illness, and it was the same situation at Stamford Bridge with Lacazette only taking part in minor training prior to the midweek meeting.

West Ham vs Arsenal: Eddie Nketiah has to keep his place over Alexandre Lacazette and the change would be huge mistake from Arteta

There is so much trust from Arteta in Lacazette. He sanctioned Aubameyang’s exit and the decision not to bring anyone else in because he believed the Frenchman could see the Gunners over the finishing line in the Premier League.

But Nketiah has come in and changed the attacking landscape. He’s revitalised the forward line, even if his involvement was one Arteta would likely not have opted for were it not for unforeseen circumstances.

Coming up against a physical West Ham team, one that is strong in duels, set pieces, and aggressive one-on-one, Arteta may feel he needs more muscle in the striker position. Nketiah has done brilliantly across the three games he’s started, but he wasn’t shown the trust that Lacazette was earlier in the campaign.

Yet of all potential changes the manager may look to make, taking Nketiah out for Lacazette has to be last on the list. It would be a crime against humanity were he to make that swap for Sunday. The thought shouldn’t even be crossing his mind.

This is a West Ham side physically and mentally drained with an eye on their second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt, and Arsenal need speed and threat early doors to put the hosts in a state of shock where they prefer to conserve energy for the next game. Get at them early and ruffle their feathers.

To do so you need a striker who does more than drop deep and stay there. The centre-backs need occupying, they need to fear both in front and behind, and they need to be dragged out of position. Nketiah is not rewriting the striker handbook but he at least attempts all of these aspects. He doesn’t need to be exceptional to be effective.

Known for making changes when we least expect them, this is one that should not even be under consideration. No chance.

Play Eddie, and that’s that.