Freddie Ljungberg has finally decided to start Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli as Arsenal prepare to face West Ham at the London Stadium.
This will be Pepe's first start since the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on October 27 and Martinelli will make his first Premier League start for the club.
In total, Ljungberg has made four changes to the side that lost to Brighton with Calum Chambers and Kieran Tierney joining Hector Bellerin and Sokratis in the back four.
Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka are at the base of the midfield with Mesut Ozil playing as the No.10. Pepe and Martinelli will add width on the wings as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing centrally.
The Swede's first two team selections left Arsenal fans slightly puzzled as he left Pepe out and kept Aubameyang out wide. However, dropping Alexandre Lacazette to open up the central role to the Gabonese striker has appeased the fan base.
In the 10 London derbies Aubameyang has played in, he has scored eight goals, but never against West Ham.
Leading the line at the London Stadium this evening, he will be looking to change that.
Aided by Martinelli and Pepe on the flanks, Arsenal fans are confident that the Gunners will leave east London with all three points.
"He’s (Gabriel Martinelli) done very well in the Europa League games, he’s been very dangerous and I think he will do well," Ljungberg said on his selection for the match.
“I told him (Nicolas Pepe) to be who he is. He’s difficult to read but he also needs to do his defensive work.”
Heading into the game, Arsenal are closer to the relegation zone (four points) than the Champions League places (10 points).
Although a win won't automatically make the Gunners contenders for a top four finish again, it is imperative they don't slip further down the table
Playing Manchester City next week, Ljungberg's selection suggests he understands just how crucial this match could be heading into a tough festive period.
