The Arsenal fans here in the Transfer Tavern will be hoping Arsene Wenger can steer the club this season to a League Cup final and potential victory, with the French manager missing out on this trophy throughout his many years in charge.

A victory against West Ham on Tuesday will see them progress to the semi-finals for the first time in six years, although getting the win won’t come easy against a rejuvenated Hammers side under David Moyes. Wenger usually gives his youth and fringe players a chance in this competition, which is probably one of the main reasons he’s never added it to his collection.

Despite only playing each other last week, the 0-0 draw won’t be a representation of the upcoming game and our landlord thinks this match will pose a different threat to the Gunners.

A different threat poses different challenges, then, and so different players could be needed.

That said, Wenger simply must not start these 2 Arsenal players against West Ham – agreed?

Alexandre Lacazette

Wenger must surely drop Lacazette in order to show Giroud that he’s in his long-term plans, and give him the chance to impress from the start instead of consistently coming off the bench.

A decent performance from the French striker against what is looking like a tough West Ham defence, who have kept three clean sheets on the bounce, will start to grab Wenger’s attention.

Lacazette has played a lot of football this term, too, and so a night off will no doubt do him some good as well.

Sead Kolašinac

The left-back should once again warm the bench as England protégé Ainsley Maitland-Niles continues to impress. Having played back to back games for the Gunners, another match against West Ham United will give the versatile defender some real confidence.

While it may take a little time to nail down a position for Maitland-Niles, who can play centre-back, on the wing and in midfield, this versatility enables him to be as comfortable going forward as he is at the back, and after a successful loan period with Ipswich Town last season, he’ll feel that it’s his time to make the step up to the first team.

Kolašinac will have a battle on his hands to get back into this team.