The north London club play host to the Hammers at the Emirates in the Premier League on Tuesday night and this is the starting XI we expect head coach Arsene Wenger to go with …
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GK: Wojciech Szczesny
The Poland international is expected to return in goal against the east London side, despite his compatriot Lukasz Fabianski’s heroics from the penalty spot in Saturday’s dramatic win over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.
RB: Bacary Sagna
The Gunners’ Mr. Reliable, with the France international having been one of the north Londoners’ most consistent performers so far in this campaign on the right-hand side of their back four as doubts continue about the right back’s future at the Emirates next season.
CB: Per Mertesacker
The lanky German central defender came to his side’s rescue on Saturday with a crucial equalising header with just eight minutes left to play at Wembley after it was his foul that has led to the Latics taking the lead from the penalty spot.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
The hugely underrated French centre back is expected to return from injury against the Hammers, which will come as a huge relief to the north London club as they look to finish the campaign with the five straight Premier League wins they probably need to finish in the top four.
LB: Kieran Gibbs
The England international came on to replace the injured Nacho Monreal against the Latics on the weekend, and with the Spaniard set to be absent against West Ham, the youngster will keep his place at left for this contest at the Emirates.
CM: Aaron Ramsey
What a huge relief it must be for everyone associated with the north London club to finally have their star man back from injury after the Wales international had been out of action since the back end of last year.
CM: Mikel Arteta
The cultured Basque will once again be asked to sit in front of the home team’s back four and put out any fires that may have started, as well as breaking up West Ham attacks before helping to launch his own team’s forward forays as a deep-lying holding midfielder.
AM: Santi Cazorla
The impish Spain international is another player who has shone consistently throughout this campaign for the north Londoners, who will be desperate for the twinkle-toed playmaker to remain on top of his game for the closing weeks of this campaign.
RW: Tomas Rosicky
Veteran Czech playmaker Tomas Rosicky has been a consistent performer when Arsenal have needed him most this season, and Arsene Wenger will likely call upon him for more of the same against West Ham – if he passes a fitness test.
LW: Lukas Podolski
The experienced Germany international is a slight doubt to take on the east Londoners on Tuesday night, but with the Gunners facing an ever-mounting injury list it seems likely that boss Arsene Wenger will ask the forward to play through the pain barrier.
ST: Olivier Giroud
The Gunners boss is set to recall the France international up front to take on the Hammers at the Emirates on Tuesday after having relegated the attacker to the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks.