Two Words Sum-up Why Soucek Could Be Set For Arsenal Chop

James Ward-Prowse provided a ‘steady Eddie’ performance for West Ham in the second half against Brentford last weekend.

It was nothing spectacular, but his no-risk ball retention offered more stability than what Graham Potter had seen in a pretty awful first 45 minutes against the Bees.

For that reason, I expect Potter will want to use JWP from the start against Arsenal, possibly at the expense of Thomas Soucek, but it won’t be an easy choice.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are set-piece experts, and omitting Soucek against a team that thrives on aerial dominance would be a big call.

But Ward-Prowse is ‘Mr Reliable’ when it comes to set-pieces at the other end of the pitch, and that could well swing the decision for Potter.

With the bad news that Lucas Paqueta is set to be missing for the Arsenal fixture, West Ham will already be minus one technical player. Potter will surely want to get some semblance of midfield control, and whilst he is not a Hollywood player, JWP can provide that.

There is also the chance of the Hammers’ best deliverer of long balls and set-pieces linking up with Evan Ferguson, which may well tip the balance.

Injury is forcing West Ham’s hand for this one, but such was the poor display in the first half against Thomas Frank’s team that I’d expect tactics to change too.

For that reason, I’d expect at least four changes to the starting line-up, with Todibo, Scarles, Ferguson, and Ward-Prowse all pushing for inclusion