Arsene Wenger with Alexis Sanchez in training
Arsene Wenger with Alexis Sanchez in training (Getty)

He’s resisted for 16 games, but this week Arsene Wenger must surely give Olivier Giroud and Jack Wilshere a Premier League start.

So far this season the Arsenal manager has opted to use two squads – one for the league and another for the Europa and League Cup.

The stars of the so-called ‘B-team’ have been Wilshere and Giroud and now it’s time they got a promotion – for both practical and tactical reasons – starting at West Ham this week.

Without a win in two Premier League outings, Arsenal need to find a way to claim three points on Wednesday.

Here, we take a look at how the Gunners should line-up at the London Stadium…

Defence

Per Mertesacker was awful against Southampton
Per Mertesacker was awful against Southampton (Getty)

Wenger confirmed that Shkodran Mustafi will miss this week’s game.

‘[Mustafi] is out in training, running, but not playing yet so the medical staff have decided he’s not completely ready.

‘Will he be ready for Newcastle [on Saturday]? Maybe yes.’

Per Mertesacker should join him on the sidelines after a horrendous performance against Southampton that most notably led to the concession of an early goal in the 1-1 draw.

That leaves Wenger with few other options, meaning a back five of Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Rob Holding, Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac picks itself.

Midfield

Aaron Ramsey at Southampton
Aaron Ramsey’s injury has opened up a place in the starting XI (Getty)

Wenger has a major injury problem in midfield as well.

‘We lost [Aaron] Ramsey against Southampton and he will not be available for tomorrow’s game,’ the Frenchman explained.

That provides the ideal opportunity for Wilshere to come in – a player who fits perfectly into Ramsey’s box-to-box role and one who’s been knocking on the door for weeks.

Wilshere has made five substitute appearances in the Premier League this season (Getty)

In the Europa League he’s been the driving force in a campaign that saw Arsenal qualify from their group with a game to spare. He hasn’t looked so fit in an Arsenal shirt for a couple of years.

Attack

In his press conference to preview the game with West Ham, Wenger was persistently asked about Giroud. It was understandable considering the striker came to his side’s rescue at the weekend to score an equaliser off the bench.

Olivier Giroud was the hero for Arsenal on Sunday (Getty)

His Premier League goal-to-minutes ratio of 63 minutes is exceptional and with the player brooding about his future, there’s logic in giving him some more game time. Wenger hinted he probably will do over the next few weeks.

‘When you have three games in six days like this week, there will be an opportunity to start,’ said the Frenchman.

The only question is who to leave out.

It would be a bold move, but the form and attitude of Alexis Sanchez in recent weeks has been poor. Against Southampton he lost possession a staggering 32 times. He looks to be playing for himself rather than the team and for that reason he should be the one to give up his place in the side.

How Arsenal should line up v West Ham…

 

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