Confirmed Arsenal line-up vs West Ham, Trossard & Kiwior start
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made two changes to the starting line-up for today’s Premier League derby against West Ham United on the road.
The Gunners are currently on a three-match winning streak in the top-flight and will be aiming for another victory to close the gap to the top to two points.
Ahead of today’s game, the manager has made a couple of changes from the impressive 3-1 win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
Jakub Kiwior has replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko in the left-back role after the latter’s injury.
The Poland international had a solid second-half performance against the Reds and he came on the cusp of scoring a brilliant goal from a Martin Odegaard cross.
He has been rewarded with a league start. Takehiro Tomiyasu is nowhere in the squad despite returning from international duty with Japan earlier this month.
Elsewhere in midfield, Jorginho has dropped to the bench despite his man of the match showing against the Reds where he won seven duels and made the most passes.
Kai Havertz will partner Declan Rice in the centre of the park with Leandro Trossard getting the nod to lead the line. Havertz and Trossard could interchange positions.
Update: Jorginho is currently carrying a minor injury and has not trained the whole week.
Confirmed Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs West Ham: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Havertz, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Trossard.
Aside from Zinchenko and Tomiyasu, the Gunners are also without Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Jesus for the derby. Jesus was already doubtful for the game with a knee concern.
However, Smith Rowe’s absence comes as a huge surprise. The Gunners graduate turned his ankle in training and was not able to recover in time to make the matchday squad.
Arsenal are definitely light on the bench against the Hammers, but the fans will be expecting a strong performance. The club will be aiming to end a three-match winless run over their London rivals.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
