West Brom vs Arsenal team news: Olivier Giroud starts first league match of the season

The French striker starts alongside Danny Welbeck up front

David Hughes
Saturday 29 November 2014 08:13 EST
Comments
Olivier Giroud is nearing a return from his broken tibia
Olivier Giroud is nearing a return from his broken tibia (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Arsene Wenger has selected Olivier Giroud for his first Premier League start of the season.

The Frenchman netted the Gunners' consolation goal in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in his return to first-team action after sustaining a broken tibia against Everton in August.

He is partnered up front by Danny Welbeck, who missed out on Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

Arsenal also welcome back Laurent Koscielny, who has been out since the start of October with tendonitis, while Mathieu Flamini comes in the the injured Mikel Arteta.

Claudio Yacob is out for West Brom, serving the first of a three-match suspension after his red card in last Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, and is replaced by Youssouf Mulumbu.

Sebastien Pocognoli comes in for Chris Baird at left-back, while top-scorer Saido Berahino retains his place despite the revelation earlier this week of the striker's arrest for drink-driving.

West Brom: Foster, Wisdom, Lescott, Dawson, Pocognoli, Gardner, Mulumbu, Brunt, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Berahino

Subs: Myhill, McAuley, Gamboa, Baird, Anichebe, Ideye, Samaras

Arsenal: Martinez, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Ramsey, Welbeck, Alexis, Cazorla, Giroud

Subs: Macey, Gibbs, Bellerin, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Campbell, Podolski

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in