Walcott on the bench for Gunners

Theo Walcott has to be content with a place on the bench for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with bottom club West Ham.

Walcott scored a brace in the midweek Carling Cup win at Newcastle, but Andrey Arshavin backs up target man Marouane Chamakh while Laurent Koscielny comes into the centre of defence for Johan Djourou in the only change from the starting XI against Manchester City.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere serves the final game of a three-match suspension.

Former Gunner Matthew Upson misses the game because of a hamstring problem, while striker Carlton Cole drops to the bench as Luis Boa Morte comes in to face his old club.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Song, Denilson, Nasri, Fabregas, Arshavin, Chamakh.

Subs: Szczesny, Rosicky, Vela, Walcott, Djourou, Eboue, Bendtner.

West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, da Costa, Gabbidon, Ilunga, Parker, Behrami, Noble, Boa Morte, Obinna, Piquionne.

Subs: Stech, Reid, Tomkins, Cole, Barrera, Kovac, Faubert.

Referee: Michael Jones.