Arsenal may have secured back-to-back wins over Christmas, but they still have plenty to do if they are to get themselves back in the mix for a European spot.
Slip ups by those higher in the Premier League table mean an assault on the top six isn’t out of the question anymore.
Getty Images - Getty
And up next they face strugglers West Brom on Saturday at 8pm, live on talkSPORT.
The 3-1 win over Frank Lampard’s side on Boxing Day appears to have signalled a turning point for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta.
They followed it up with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Brighton on Tuesday night, with Alexandre Lacazette scoring 21 seconds after coming off the bench.
Both victories were spearheaded by Arsenal’s young attacking trio – Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli.
They will all be difficult to drop, but the return of senior players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, plus the form of Lacazette, means Arteta has some difficult decisions to make.
With Martinelli coming off the back of a serious long-term injury and having started the last three matches in such a short space of time, it would make sense to give the Brazilian a rest against the Baggies.
AFP or licensors
The talkSPORT network is the ONLY place to hear the match, plus Tottenham vs Leeds and Brighton vs Wolves earlier on Saturday.
Download the talkSPORT app, swipe between matches, and select the games you want to hear!
Arsenal team news
Saka is expected to be fit for the trip to face West Brom.
The teenager was forced off during the latter stages of the victory after a strong challenge, but should recover.
David Luiz and Willian, who both tested negative for Covid-19 earlier this week, may return this weekend after a bout of illness although could have to settle for a place among the substitutes.
Meanwhile, Gabriel tested positive for Covid before the trip to Brighton and will miss Saturday’s clash as well.
Dani Ceballos could come into the side in place for Mohamed Elneny, who struggled against the Seagulls.
AFP
“He’s played a lot of minutes as well, but I’m confident that he will be OK for the game,” Arteta said of Saka.
“Some players had to come in yesterday to get assessed. After the game we had a couple of knocks.
“And then we have the players who have been through all the regulations with COVID, different individuals which I think we’re gonna recover for the game against West Brom, but we will see tomorrow who is available, who is fit and how is everybody feeling.”
Getty Images
Arsenal predicted line-up
from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/2WYGDvc
via IFTTT
No Comment