PREVIEW: West Ham vs Arsenal

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Lukas Podolski of Arsenal practises heading with Per Mertesacker during a training session at London Colney on October 2, 2012 in St Albans, England.

Arsenal head into the game against Sam Allardyce-managed West Ham needing a win. After a poor performance against Chelsea, Arsenal managed to scrap a win against Olympiakos. But our performance against the Greeks was hardly convincing.

Will Per Mertesacker be back? It is obvious that we need the lanky German back ASAP.

One, to fight the likes of Andy Carroll in the air.

And two – and more importantly – the Thomas Vermaelen – Laurent Koscielny partnership is not the most effective one. They are very similar, nippy centre-backs, going into aggressive tackles. Per on the other hand, is the calming influence, which rubs off on the other defenders.

Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna are back in training but will not be available for the game tomorrow. I think Arsenal fans would rather wait and get a fully fit Bac and Wilshere back rather than rush them in.

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 2: Lukas Podolski, Francis Coquelin and Bacary Sagna of Arsenal warm up during a training session at London Colney on October 2, 2012 in St Albans, England.

Wojciech Szczesny is a couple of weeks away from getting back to full fitness. Vito Mannone has never really convinced me. He is a decent shot-stopper, but that is about it. Szczesny is still not the ideal, experienced keeper we want, but his leadership, organization and ball-handling is impressive. In his absence, it is even more vital that Per gets over his virus.

Wenger says he will continue to play Gervinho up-front. He says:

”I did that with Robin van Persie. He was more a technical player, it was not obvious to put him central striker. I did it with Thierry Henry, I did it now with Gervinho and I think I will do it as well with [Theo] Walcott.”

Gervinho has frustrated a lot of people with his finishing this season. But no one can deny his energy, his enthusiasm. He is not one who is shy to take on defenders (although not very successfully).

No Abou Diaby tomorrow means that Aaron Ramsey will play along side Santiago Cazorla and Mikel Arteta. Tomas Rosicky is about “two weeks away”. I would expect Alex Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski to complete the line up.

Mannone

Jenkinson Vermaelen Koscienly/Mertesacker Gibbs

Arteta

Ramsey Cazorla

Ox Podolski

Gervinho

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates scoring their first goal during the Capital One Cup third round match between Arsenal and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2012 in London, England.

Olivier Giroud has done everything so far except score goals. He has been tremendous in winning headers, setting up opportunities and has helped the team out defensively as well. The Gunners will be hoping he gets off the mark in the premiership.

Here’s hoping we can put the the loss to Chelsea as an aberration and take three points going into the international break.