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West Ham’s squad selection for Arsenal is massively telling

ByAdam Smith|
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between West Ham United and Birmingham City at The London Stadium on January 5, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between West Ham United and Birmingham City at The London Stadium on January 5, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

With a tough opponent coming cross town for a London Derby, all of the Premier League’s eyes fall upon West Ham United and who appears in their team. Will alleged wantaway star Marko Arnautovic start or appear? And will another starlet get another chance?

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Usually when West Ham and Arsenal face off there are few storylines. The Gunners have dominated the history of this fixture and kept the Hammers quiet. Despite Arsenal’s run of good form this season there is no one paying attention to their team heading into this matchup.

The biggest tipping point for the Marko Arnautovic rumors will be an hour before game time when the team is revealed. I’ve toiled over which formation suits West Ham best, but who cares now. Is Marko going to start? That’s the big question.

Should Arnautovic be in the starting XI the supporters need to get behind him. His loud mouth brother may be acting on his own or may be voicing the opinions of his more talented sibling, but if Arnautovic has his jersey on he is still a West Ham player and is still representing the team.

If he is on the bench or, God forbid, not in the lineup at all, the rumors will be flying. I honestly fear the Twittersphere if that happens. Yeah, he was pulled from the Birmingham match after 20 minutes but that was to preserve his health not to usher in fitness questions. I have little reason to believe he won’t make the starting XI as it would be marquee Arnie to shut up the rumor mill with a massive goal and badge-slapping celebration.

HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Adebayo Akinfenwa of Wycombe Wanderers battles for the ball with Reece Oxford (R) and Pedro Obiang of West Ham during the pre-season friendly match between Wycombe Wanderers and West Ham United at Adams Park on July 14, 2018 in High Wycombe, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Adebayo Akinfenwa of Wycombe Wanderers battles for the ball with Reece Oxford (R) and Pedro Obiang of West Ham during the pre-season friendly match between Wycombe Wanderers and West Ham United at Adams Park on July 14, 2018 in High Wycombe, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

The other storyline would be a lot more attention-grabbing on a different day, but Reece Oxford is legitimately in contention for the squad. The once-promising Academy graduate had a breakout performance as a 16-year-old against Arsenal a few years ago and prematurely got a big contract in return.

Since then, Oxford’s performances have slipped so much so that the club shipped him out to Germany on loan and are currently trying to get him off the books at the club. But, Oxford has fired his agent who orchestrated rumors and attitude problems for the youngster.

This move shows foresight and good judgment from Oxford who seems to be reinvested in making West Ham his home. With Fabian Balbuena out long-term now West Ham need a new centre-back. Oxford can alleviate the stress of operating in the January transfer market if he shows up and impresses with this opportunity.

It is no guarantee that Arnautovic will start or that Oxford will make the squad, but one this is for sure – all eyes are on East London ahead of this London Derby… and it has nothing to do with the Gunners coming for a visit.