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5 keys to Arsenal versus West Ham

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Reece Oxford and James Tomkins of West Ham United jump for the ball along with Olivier Giroud of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Reece Oxford and James Tomkins of West Ham United jump for the ball along with Olivier Giroud of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02 : Olivier Giroud of Arsenal and Danny Welbeck of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium on March 02, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 02 : Olivier Giroud of Arsenal and Danny Welbeck of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium on March 02, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

4. Danny Welbeck

It’s impossible to know whether or not Arsene Wenger is going to opt for Olivier Giroud or Danny Welbeck as his starter, but the pacy Englishman is by far his more dangerous option. Even if he doesn’t start, Welbeck is going to play a key role for the Gunners off the bench.

Hammer fans will hope that they see a lot of Giroud and relatively little for Welbeck. Their centre backs are much better equipped to handle a physical striker like Giroud than an attacker with the speed of Welbeck.

I’m betting that Wenger is smart enough to ride Welbeck as his starter in the match. The Gunners are going to have plenty possession in the match and he’s the right striker to really stretch the West Ham defense.

Of course the real trouble with Welbeck isn’t how well he plays when he’s on the pitch, it’s his ability to stay on the field of play. If he can stay healthy he really has an opportunity to be a difference maker down the stretch for Arsenal. West Ham needs to make sure that doesn’t start today.

Next: The physicality of the midfields

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