Edson Álvarez returns from suspension and is available for selection for the West Ham vs Arsenal Premier League fixture on Saturday.
Ordinarily, Álvarez would look to come straight back into the Hammers team and help protect the defence, particularly given the Gunners’ recent demolition of Nottingham Forest.
However, West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui must resist any temptation to throw the Mexican back into the fold at the London Stadium. For the first time this season, the Spaniard’s Irons team displayed real balance in midfield, benefitting particularly from having two technical players in Carlos Soler and Lucas Paquetá.
Far too many times this campaign, the central area has featured two defensive players rather than two creative ones at its heart, and the difference was stark.
West Ham vs Arsenal is a tough game at the best of times, but Lopetegui has bought himself some breathing space with the 2-0 win against Newcastle at St. James’ Park. In many respects, the pressure is off against Mikel Arteta’s Gooners, but it’s crucial he establishes some midfield continuity.
It’s also worth noting that the Hammers’ discipline was much improved against the Magpies, and keeping eleven players on the pitch will be vital on Saturday. For all his attributes, Álvarez is a hothead who, I’m sorry to say, can’t be trusted at a time when the team’s fragile recovery is in its infancy.
Hopefully, Lopetegui can use the game to further cement his new line-up ahead of the clash with Leicester City the following Tuesday.
If Alvarez or Rodriguez play again why not be a bit more radical and use either as a sweeper so at least one cd if not both can play higher up at times
Managers/coaches traditionally stick with winning line-ups when they can.
Coming off the best West Ham performance since before last Xmas, Lopetegui would be opening himself up for criticism if he changed a winning formula…. stands to reason they’ll be wholesale changes V Arsenal then?
If it’s not broken, don’t try mending it.
Same eleven. It was the most coherent we’ve been for a long time. Alvarez starts on the bench.
I agree with Gonzo here. For me it has to be the same starting 11. We saw something we haven’t seen in.. I can’t remember how long. If lopetegui has found 11 players who can work together with the enthusiasm we saw Monday night. We got to try it again.
If things go pear shape then make the changes but those 11 needs to be rewarded for their efforts at st James park.
You make a valid point, sir, and I won’t be hugely upset if that happens, as long as he’s ready to sub Soucek early if it’s clear that she’s struggling to have any impact (which I suspect will be the case). All the best.
*He’s…
There are many things Soucek is, but a woman is not one of them! 😀
(Would be great if we could edit/remove our own comments)
Why do you always talk out of your rear one??
What kind of pointless comment is that?
If you’re going to criticise or disagree, at least have the decency to provide your alternative argument, rather than throwing stones then running away. Lame.
guy’s a troll
Sorry, Gonzo, but I’m not agreeing with you here.
Alvarez needs to prove that he has learned his lesson, and be given a chance to demonstrate that by replacing Soucek as our CDM, with Soler and Paqueta remaining as our two technical central players.
Alvarez is a far better overall player than Soucek, who will get the run around against a quick-passing Arsenal team, especially one that features Odegaard. It’ll be like playing against them with 10 men if Soucek plays.
Play Alvarez from the start in the only change, to mark Odegaard out of the game, and have Soucek ready to bring on for the remaining 88 minutes when Alvarez proves he’s learned nothing and gets his obligatory yellow. 🙂
Alvarez no longer sits and provides a shield for the defence, he lacks the discipline to do that and prefers to charge up field as a one man press and make reckless challenge’s that result in a yellow cards. He starts on the bench with an unchanged team deservedly so after the heroics at Newcastle. Alvarez’s seems to think he’s Rodri but he isn’t! I dare say fresher leg’s will be needed after the hour mark but at least Lopetegui is not reluctant to make substitutions unlike his predecessor!
Alvarez should be benched next to Rodriguez. We don’t need a liability on the pitch vs Arsenal.
Happy for Kudus to be benched too when he returns.
They need to learn discipline and learn to fight for the shirt, not just be given a free pass because they were once 1st choice.
Arteta’s Arsenal are a brittle beast, moreso than Newcastle imo.
A good start may well get under their skin.
Same set up to start with an eye on Alvarez’s involvement if back four need more protection.
But what do I know?