Team News: Alexis Sanchez handed Arsenal start

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has handed a start to Alexis Sanchez for the Premier League encounter with West Bromwich Albion.

Since missing out on a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium, Sanchez has been restricted to substitute appearances in the top flight, but Wenger has opted to use the Chilean from the start for the showdown with the Baggies.

However, Danny Welbeck is absent through injury, while Alex Iwobi misses out altogether, with Mohamed Elneny being preferred in midfield and Aaron Ramsey being given a role further forward.

As for West Brom, head coach Tony Pulis has handed the captaincy to Gareth Barry as the midfielder breaks the record for number of appearances in the Premier League.

Kieran Gibbs also features from the start as he makes a return to his former club, while Hal Robson-Kanu gets the nod in attack.

Allan Nyom also comes into the team, with Chris Brunt and Matt Phillips the players to drop out of the side which drew 0-0 with West Ham United nine days ago.

Arsenal: Cech, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Elneny, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Sanchez, Lacazette Subs: Ospina, Mertesacker, Maitland-Niles, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud

West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Nyom, Evans, Hegazi, Dawson, Gibbs, Barry, Livermore, Krychowiak, Rodriguez, Robson-Kanu Subs: Myhill, Yacob, Morrison, Rondon, Phillips, Brunt, McClean

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