Ozil ill, Aubameyang benched as Arsenal target momentum ahead of Atletico

Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line in place of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against West Ham in the first game since Arsene Wenger announced he will leave Arsenal at the end of the season.

Wenger had hinted at leaving Aubameyang out during his pre-match news conference, because the Gabon international will be unavailable for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg with Atletico Madrid.

And he has indeed omitted the former Borussia Dortmund forward, giving Lacazette and Danny Welbeck – who are likely to start against Atletico on Thursday – the chance to build up some momentum ahead of that crucial encounter. They are joined by Alex Iwobi.

There is no Mesut Ozil, however, as the German misses out through illness, while Petr Cech (hip), Sead Kolasinac and Jack Wilshere (both ankle) are absent with minor injuries.

Here’s how we line up for today’s match #AFCvWHU pic.twitter.com/wUHpFt3BAH

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 22, 2018

David Ospina starts between the posts, and Aaron Ramsey will likely be expected to shoulder some of the attacking responsibilities of Ozil.

West Ham are unchanged from their 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City last time out.

A few of the lads miss out with minor issues today: @PetrCech (hip), @MesutOzil1088 (illness), @seadk6 (ankle) and @JackWilshere (ankle) #AFCvWHU pic.twitter.com/kh42V5VSo7

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 22, 2018