Kallstrom To Start? This Is The Arsenal Side Needed To Beat West Ham

Arsenal host West Ham this evening in a game that means much more than the normal fixture. There is no silverware for the winner, but Arsenal need the three points for a number of reasons. The first is their pride – this is a London derby after all. The second is to climb back into the top four. And the third is to save Arsene Wenger’s reputation. Here is how I would set my side up if I was the under-pressure Frenchman.

I’d allow Lukasz Fabianski to stay in goal after his fine display against Wigan in the FA Cup. At right-back I would have Bacary Sagna, and on the other side I would have Kieran Gibbs. He’s much stronger than Nacho Monreal defensively and I prefer him going forward.

The central defenders I would choose are Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen, as Laurent Koscielny is still out.

In the two central spots in my 4-2-3-1 formation I would have Mikel Arteta, and I would probably give Kim Kallstrom a start in the middle. Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Mathieu Flamini and Abou Diaby are all unavailable.

I would have Santi Cazorla on the right  side of the attack, Lukas Podolski on the left and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle, if he is fit.

Up Front I would have Yaya Sanogo over Olivier Giroud, because I think Arsenal may find some joy with pace in behind the Hammers defence.