Lopetegui makes Todibo call after injury – West Ham confirmed XI v Arsenal
Julen Lopetegui has named an unchanged West Ham United starting XI to face Arsenal at the London Stadium on Saturday.
Jean-Clair Todibo emerged as a fitness doubt after he went off in the 57th minute during the Irons’ 2-0 win against Newcastle on Monday [25 November], but is seemingly fit to play against the Gunners on 30 November.
Lopetegui has restricted any urges to make changes as he is hopeful that the same XI that started against the Magpies will be able to cause an upset over the North London giants.
Lopetegui hope for West Ham upset over Arsenal
This is the second of the two make-or-break opportunities given to Lopetegui during the international break [The Guardian].
While he came out with flying colours against Newcastle, the Spanish tactician will be hopeful of a similar outcome against Mikel Arteta and co, with Todibo also available.
Lukasz Fabianski has done enough to keep his place in goal after usurping Alphonse Areola in October, starting each of Irons’ last four league games.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka continues at right-back ahead of Vladimir Coufal and will be high on confidence after netting in Tyneside earlier this week. Emerson, meanwhile, keeps his place on the other side.
Todibo is joined by Max Kilman, who has been a regular in Lopetegui’s starting XI since joining from Wolves in the summer. However, Konstantinos Mavropanos, who was tipped to start if the Frenchman was unavailable, is nowhere to be seen in the squad.
Lucas Paqueta and Tomas Soucek excelled in their double-pivot roles against Newcastle, with the latter scoring the Hammers’ second. Lopetegui has, therefore, stuck with the same combination against the Gunners despite Edson Alvarez returning from injury.
Carlos Soler, Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville start further up the field as Mohammed Kudus serves the last of his five-game suspension.
Niclas Fullkrug is edging closer to regaining full fitness, this game is too soon for him, meaning Michail Antonio keeps his place up front.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are the frontrunners to sign this Premier League star on loan ahead of January.
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