Team News v Arsenal: Diop and Sanchez start, Arnautovic captains side

Diop

 

Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed his West Ham United starting XI for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal, and Issa Diop and Carlos Sanchez are both given their competitive debuts. 

Marko Arnautovic, in the absence of regular captain Mark Noble, skippers the side. 

The Irons head into this afternoon’s contest without a point yet in the top flight, and manager Pellegrini has made four changes to the team that were beaten by Bournemouth last weekend. 

Ryan Fredericks and Michail Antonio are reinstated to the starting XI after they both missed the game with the Cherries, with the pair joining Diop and Sanchez in stepping into the team. 

Pablo Zabaleta and Chicharito drop to the bench, while Mark Noble and Angelo Ogbonna miss out completely.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski starts between the sticks for the Irons for a third consecutive game, while Fredericks and Diop will join Fabian Balbuena and Arthur Masuaku in the defensive line. 

Sanchez will link up with another ex-Gunner in Jack Wilshere, who makes his return to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since leaving to join West Ham in the summer. 

Ryan Snodgrass, record signing Felipe Anderson and Antonio will feature in the attacking midfield roles, and the trio will support Arnautovic, who has been given the captain’s armband for today’s game. 

Declan Rice has returned to the matchday squad, having missed out against Bournemouth, and the 19-year-old is joined by Spanish goalkeeper Adrian. 

Zabaleta and Chicharito are also a part of the seven substitutes available to Pellegrini, as is Andriy Yarmolenko, Pedro Obiang, and Lucas Perez.

West Ham United: Fabianski; Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku; Sanchez, Wilshere Snodgrass, Anderson, Antonio; Arnautovic 

Substitutes: Adrian, Zabaleta, Rice, Obiang, Yarmolenko, Chicharito, Lucas