Another big test awaits Arsenal in this season's Premier League title race as they aim to return to winning ways against West Ham United.
The Gunners have had a full week to reflect on the 2-2 draw against Liverpool, although their lead at the top of the Premier League table has since been cut down to three points after Manchester City continued their relentless pursuit of a third straight title with a win over Leicester City.
As a result, the pressure is on Arsenal and the best way to respond is by beating West Ham - thus completing the double over the east London outfit this season having comfortably won the reverse meeting between the two sides back in December when the campaign resumed after the World Cup break.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saliba's fitness, Zinchenko's mood and Martinelli's form
The good news for Arsenal is that Mikel Arteta hasn't reported any fresh injuries following last weekend's setback at Anfield which means he can name an unchanged team. However, with big games against Southampton and Man City on the horizon, could this cause the Gunners boss to rethink his line-up?
Not for the first time this season, football.london's Arsenal writers Kaya Kaynak, Tom Canton and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne are on hand to offer their assistance to the Spanish tactician. Below, they name their respective starting line-ups for the visitors against West Ham.
Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal Writer
After his heroics last week, there is no way in a month of Sundays that Aaron Ramsdale is getting dropped from this Arsenal side. Ben White wasn't at his best last week in my opinion and I would consider rotating him for this one if I could, but with both William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu out, there simply isn't an option to do that.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was also by his own admission not up to his usual standards at Anfield, but I think up against the low block of West Ham I'd look to keep him ahead of Kieran Tierney just. That's not to say the Scot wouldn't have an important role to play off the bench if needs be. Inside of them, I'm resisting calls to chuck Jakub Kiwior in. I actually think Rob Holding has done well, so I'm keeping him in the side next to Gabriel.
In midfield, it's got to be the standard trio of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard. I was genuinely tempted by putting in Fabio Vieira to have an extra technician against the low block, but Xhaka's late runs could be crucial.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were both sublime at Anfield in my opinion and you can't really drop Bukayo Saka, so it looks like Leandro Trossard will be the unfortunate one to miss out again. The Belgian showed the quality he has off the bench in nearly setting up a late winner so the hope will be that he can bring that again at the London Stadium.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinell
Tom Canton - Arsenal Writer
Arsenal witnessed midweek the drawbacks of having European football. Manchester United lost players hand over fist and will be frustrated with the damage it could have to their top-four chances.
The Gunners meanwhile enjoyed a week of recovery unlike this weekend’s opponents West Ham United who travelled to Belgium to play Genk. With this in mind, no changes are needed and Mikel Arteta should continue in the fine vein of form his side have demonstrated.
That said, the focus for me is now more on how the Spaniard’s in-game management improves. The substitutions against Liverpool came under scrutiny and how the game on Sunday plays out could require the same eleven from the trip to Merseyside, which I feel should start again, could require some change.
With Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Leandro Trossard and the returning Eddie Nketiah, Arteta has a plethora of attacking talent to choose from. Who makes way should depend on the game state and that’s where the Arsenal manager’s judgement will be in focus.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs West Ham: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal Writer
The big decision facing Mikel Arteta is what game is ideal for squad rotation. Is it on Sunday against a West Ham side that are coming off a Europa Conference League tie in Belgium and are in desperate need of the points or at home to Southampton who are also fighting to avoid relegation?
For me, the Arsenal manager can't look too far ahead. A win over the Hammers is absolutely crucial in relation to the Premier League title race so I can't see any reason for the best available team to not be selected by the Spaniard at the London Stadium.
This means the Gunners will be unchanged from the 2-2 draw against Liverpool with Aaron Ramsdale, Benjamin White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka all starting after their mixed individual performances at Anfield a week ago.
Of course, Leandro Trossard can consider himself unfortunate to miss out, as can Kieran Tierney but the pair along with Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe and perhaps a returning Eddie Nketiah could make a difference off the bench if called upon in east London.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs West Ham: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, G. Jesus, Martinelli
Who gets into your starting XI? Use our team selector below and leave a comment to have your say.
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