We have seen a 4-2-3-1 in the first-leg at the Boleyn Ground against FC Lusitans of Andorra. West Ham went with a 4-4-2 to start the away-leg in Andorra, before Diafra Sakho’s red card moved the Hammers into a 4-4-1. The Irons lined up in a 4-3-3 recently in their friendly against Peterborough, bagging three goals, but also conceding three.
How will West Ham lineup on 9 August against Arsenal?
My bet is a 4-3-1-2.
With recent signings of Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna, and Pedro Obiang, it is the best formation, primarily because of Payet.
Payet will have a huge role as the central attacking midfielder playing behind Diafra Sakho and either Mattia Destro, Javier Hernandez, Loic Remy, or Charlie Austin. Whomever West Ham brings in will end up playing besides Sakho as a left and right striker.
In the chance the Hammers do not snag another top-class striker, it will be Enner Valencia, hopefully reinvigorated by the powers of new manager Slaven Bilic.
In the narrow midfield diamond, at the top is Payet. Payet was a wonder in Ligue 1 last season with 7 goals and 17 assists. His creativity behind the strikers is exactly what the Hammers need, and this formation will run through him almost every run up field.
Behind Payet, assuming Alex Song is a member of West Ham and not just hanging out in East London every day, Song will be the deep lying defensive midfielder. In the same role last year, Song was easily one of the best players and he will be crucial against his former Arsenal club on 9 August.
Just to Song’s right will be Cheikhou Kouyate. Kouyate will play a less defensive role, but will be expected to get back and be a stable defensive help. Kouyate showed his eye for goal last year with four goals, and his strength and command on the ball are huge for West Ham.
To Song’s left was my hardest choice. Do I play longtime servant of the club and likely captain Mark Noble, or do I start newbie Pedro Obiang?
I decided on starting Noble. Both players started in the midfield three against Shrewsbury, and while the decision did not come down to the fact Noble scored and Obiang did not, I would choose Noble in my starting roster because he is a leader. While Winston Reid could be captain, Noble fits the bill more in my opinion, and he deserves to start against Arsenal.
Left fullback belongs to Aaron Cresswell, Hammer of the Year. Cresswell’s amazing debut season last year for the Hammers deserves him his starting spot, and assistant manager Julian Dicks can only improve the 25-year-old. Also, if not Cresswell, who? O’Brien? Yeah, Cresswell starts.
Right fullback belongs to Carl Jenkinson, who has rejoined West Ham on loan after signing a new five-year deal from Arsenal.
The back-four is completed by Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna. Reid is set in stone for the centre-back spot. Ogbonna is another story. It could have been either James Collins or James Tomkins, but it goes to the Italian international almost certainly because of his experience at Juventus. At least against Arsenal, Ogbonna will start.
In goal is Adrian. No contest. The Spaniard had a marvellous season last year and will build off of that again. New signing Darren Randolph is not seen as a starter for West Ham, only a rotation for all of the Europa League matches added.
