Team News: Mesut Ozil omitted from Arsenal squad to face West Bromwich Albion

Arsene Wenger has omitted Mesut Ozil from the Arsenal matchday squad to face West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Sunday.

The Germany international, who started in the Gunners' 3-2 win over Crystal Palace on Thursday, is replaced in the starting XI by Alex Iwobi.

Olivier Giroud and Nacho Monreal are expected to be absent until mid-January, owing to respective hamstring and ankle injuries, while Aaron Ramsey is also struggling with a hamstring problem.

Likewise, West Brom manager Alan Pardew makes one change from the side that started in the 0-0 draw against Everton.

Salomon Rondon, who injured his hamstring in the Boxing Day encounter, drops out of the squad and sees his place taken by Hal Robson-Kanu.

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

Arsenal: Cech; Chambers, Koscielny, Mustafi; Wilshere, Xhaka, Bellerin, Kolasinac; Iwobi, Sanchez; Lacazette Subs: Ospina, Mertesacker, Maitland-Niles, Coquelin, Elneny, Walcott, Welbeck

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