Predicted Arsenal XI v West Brom: Mikel Arteta brings back £140k-a-week ace as ‘great kid’ drops out

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Arsenal are back in form and hoping to make it three Premier League wins in a row on Saturday, with a trip to West Brom on the cards for Mikel Arteta’s rejuvenated Gunners.

The Emirates Stadium side may have endured a tough time this season, but victories over Chelsea and Brighton in their last two league games have stopped the rot and increased optimism.

Arsenal are in action at 8pm tonight and, while West Brom are struggling in the relegation zone, recent draws against Manchester City and Liverpool show they can hold their own against the league’s big sides.

So, who could Arteta pick in his starting XI to take on Sam Allardyce’s charges?

There probably won’t be too many changes from the starting line-ups which triumphed over the Blues and the Seagulls, but it’s unlikely Arsenal will be unchanged from their last game.

The back line is one area which probably won’t see any alterations, which would mean Bernd Leno in goal and a back four of Kieran Tierney, Pablo Mari, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin.

Likewise, Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka will probably retain their midfield places from the last game, as they’ve done well and nothing really needs changing there.

The final third could see some changes, Arteta suggesting in his pre-match press conference that Bukayo Saka – who had to come off against Brighton – could be given a breather at The Hawthorns.

Though the 19-year-old – who the manager has previously described as a “great kid” – is available for selection, Arteta noted how his player has “played a lot of minutes”.

Nicolas Pepe could be given a chance on the right-hand side, the £140,000-a-week ace an unused substitute at the Amex Stadium.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could shift down from centre-forward to take over from Gabriel Martinelli, who has not long come back from a long-term injury and could be rested.

Emile Smith Rowe has been superb for the Gunners in recent weeks and should keep his place at No. 10, while the in-form Alexandre Lacazette could be given the nod to lead the line.

Predicted Arsenal XI v West Brom: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang; Lacazette