EFL Cup – Rd 4 – West Ham vs Arsenal
The temperature has dropped, the darker evenings are starting ever earlier, winter season football is truly here. For Arsenal this means the games are coming thick and fast. Only 4 days since we dominated Sheffield in the Prem; Mikel must role out a strong but rotated side to face West Ham in a midweek London Derby.
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The Lineup:
With the number of games coming thick and fast as well as tough opposition in the form of Newcastle just 3 days after this match, rotation is the key name of the game!
With that in mind, I’ve once again gone heavy on the rotation in my predicted side. With a few similar names staying in the XI. Ramsdale now is certainly the 2nd choice the cup keeper as it were. This being such a game it would only make sense that he starts. Jakub Kiwior played well against Sheffield in his CB role, I expect him to do similar once more.
The backline is where I can say I am guessing however, as I cannot fathom what the right CB and the RB positions will look like. Both Saliba and White would be starting against Newcastle, so does it makes sense we risk them here? Moreover, Tomiyasu, will certainly be useful once more with Newcastle but again do we risk him here?
Tiredness is the key issue for any team attempting to make a run across 4 competitions. But we still need to perform. West Ham will likely rotate but we cannot expect them to sit back like Sheffield did. Therefore, I’d want some strong physical presence at the back Tomi for me is preferred in this role ahead of Zinchenko.
Moving to midfield again a fine balance of attacking threat and cool headedness and control is the key to a win. With that in mind, the only change I’d make to the midfield that dominated Sheffield on Saturday is to give Rice a rest. Now I know this game will have a mental impact on the Englishman, facing his old side and at the Olympic Stadium too. However, I can only see this having more of an impact when in the Prem rather than a cup game. I can once again say I am gambling here; I think Rice is of course better, but Jorginho can handle a potential B side from West Ham.
As for ESR and Havertz they performed well on Saturday, and I can only expect the same once more. The 10 role suits ESR and he can play both as a playmaker but also push forward into posing an attacking threat himself. Whilst Kai can utilise his presence to distribute play between the lines and draw defenders away allowing space for the wingers.
Trossard, that speaks for himself. Fabio Vieira has been utilised on the right to give Saka a rest, once again he needs a rest. It was good to see him subbed off early against Sheffield and I don’t think hee needs to be starting this game either. Moreover, Fabio is fresh from a goal, a strong display in a short time, he deserves a start. As for Eddie Nketiah, well Eddie is on fire, this momentum needs to be carried on. And for West Ham this just means, your defence is in trouble, Nketiah in the room.
Keys To Winning:
All the rotated players need to step up deliver, more importantly they need to work well together. ESR had a phenomenal game, it just shows how much Arsenal have improved in order to have someone of his quality to be a rotational option. Fabio is also in good favour with Mikel and expect him to reward this with another strong performance. The key to staying in control will be the likes of Jorginho managing his position on the pitch without creating those individual errors again.
The other question mark is the defence. Again rotation is key here, but we need to stay strong. The best way to actually allow this is to maintain control of possession that way we need not worry about the defence.
Conclusion:
West Ham, who have not won at home in their last few games, will face a tough challenge against an Arsenal defense that has been very difficult to score against on the road this season.
Both managers are expected to make many changes to their teams, so neither side is likely to be at their best. However, unless West Ham can produce a dramatic turnaround in form, Arsenal should be able to take advantage and advance to the quarter-finals.
Predictions:
Scoreline: West Ham 0 – Arsenal 2
POTM: Emile Smith Row
Suggested Bet: Arsenal to Win & Both Teams To Be Carded: YES
Written by Reekesh Somaroo