£27m ‘monster’ benched, Vieira starts: Arsenal predicted XI v West Ham

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Arsenal are set to take on West Ham United in an EFL Cup clash on Wednesday evening.

Given this is an EFL Cup fixture, Mikel Arteta will likely take this opportunity to rotate his Arsenal starting XI relatively heavily.

Having said that, Arteta will still be keen to see his side progress in the competition. The Gunners will see this tournament as a big opportunity to claim some silverware.

As such, the Spanish coach will still pick a team that he is confident can get a win against the Hammers.

Predicted Arsenal starting XI

Aaron Ramsdale

Having lost the No. 1 spot to David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale will get a rare start against West Ham, and needs to impress if he is to stand any chance of winning his regular starting berth back in the near future.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Ben White is due a rest, and Takehiro Tomiyasu has been in impressive form in recent weeks. The Japanese defender is more than capable of filling in at right-back.

Jakub Kiwior

William Saliba is a talismanic figure at Arsenal, and has been described as a “monster” at the back. However, the £27 million Frenchman can’t play every week and is another player due a rest on the bench. Jakub Kiwior impressed against Sheffield United and deserves to keep his place.

Gabriel Magalhaes

It was Gabriel Magalhaes’ turn to take a day off against the Blades. Expect the Brazilian to come back into the fold at the London Stadium, allowing for Saliba to put his feet up.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

We expect Tomiyasu to play at left-back against Newcastle United on Saturday, when his defensive solidity will be required. As such, Oleksandr Zinchenko should be handed a run out against West Ham.

Jorginho

Declan Rice will be desperate to feature against his former club, and Arteta has confirmed that he is likely to play a part. Presumably, this will be from the bench. Jorginho can be relied upon to start in this match. 

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz is in need of a good performance. With Martin Odegaard struggling for form and fitness, the former Chelsea man needs to see this match as a huge opportunity to prove his worth.

Fabio Vieira

It’s a close call between whether Fabio Vieira or Emile Smith Rowe will get the nod for this match. Given the Hale End academy graduate started on Saturday, we’re giving the £34 million Portuguese playmaker the advantage for this match.

Reiss Nelson

Reiss Nelson has regularly impressed in his brief cameos so far this season, and produced a match-wining display last time out in this competition. He needs to maintain those standards if he is to push for greater Premier League involvement.

Gabriel Martinelli

Arteta will want one of his regular starters forming part of the attack, and Gabriel Martinelli looks to be fit and firing right now. The Brazilian could be the difference-maker against the east London outfit.

Leandro Trossard

Eddie Nketiah needs to be protected for the Newcastle clash, having bagged a stunning hat trick against Sheffield United last time out. Leandro Trossard is more than capable of leading the line.