West Ham are very likely to hand defensive colossus Issa Diop his debut for the club against Arsenal while Mark Noble will be sitting on the sidelines through injury, according to reliable insider ExWHUemployee.
The Twitter account, who have established themselves as a reputable source of insider information surrounding the Hammers, claims that the veteran midfielder and club captain has failed to recover from a back injury which has kept him out of training this week.
Very strong I would imagine! Noble has definitely been ruled out for the match as well ? https://t.co/KFR2BBRyNI
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) August 24, 2018
Meanwhile Diop, who has been left unused on the bench for the first two games of the season, is said to be in with a strong chance of featuring for the first time against the Gunners in the starting XI.
Opinion
Noble’s injury problem has been widely discussed and for many of the West Ham faithful, it will have come as a blessing in disguise, with many unconvinced with his performances so far in the early stage of the season. Being forced out through injury takes the choice away from Manuel Pellegrini and twists his arm into bringing in a new replacement. As for Diop making his debut, Arsenal away is somewhat being thrown into the deep end for the giant defender and he will have to sink or swim against the Gunners, who possess plenty of pace to torment opposition back lines. After two defeats, the Irons needs to find some sort of form and quickly if they are going to live up to their billing as a top ten side this season, for the new arrivals have not had the desired effect – yet. Can Diop change that at the Emirates Stadium? It remains to be seen.