Martin Allen reveals the West Ham player he hopes won’t start against Arsenal.

West Ham United host local rivals Arsenal at the London Stadium on Saturday, 30 November, following a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Newcastle United earlier this week.

That performance was arguably the best under Julen Lopetegui, achieved without Edson Alvarez, who is now available for selection.

Former West Ham midfielder Allen weighed in on X, stating on Friday, 29 November: “Will Alvarez play tomorrow? And change the winning team? Mmmm, I hope not.

[Lopetegui] needs to be patient after a great team performance at Newcastle.”

West Ham’s display at St. James’ Park was nearly flawless. They capitalized on their chances and managed to keep Newcastle largely at bay.

The victory has eased the pressure on Lopetegui, who was reportedly close to losing his job, but it’s crucial that he builds on this momentum.

Next up is a daunting challenge against title-contenders Arsenal, and Lopetegui would be wise to stick with the same starting XI.

Lucas Paqueta and Tomas Soucek worked brilliantly in midfield, while Carlos Soler, Jarrod Bowen, and Crysencio Summerville provided attacking support for Michail Antonio.

While Alvarez’s return is a welcome boost, it’s vital to prioritize team cohesion. He may be called upon during the game, showcasing the squad’s growing depth.

For now, Lopetegui seems to have discovered a winning formula, and keeping it intact could be key to achieving another positive result.