By Jim Van Wijk, Press Association
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Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has insisted his on-fire side must maintain their focus ahead of their dangerous Capital One Cup clash at West Bromwich Albion, regardless of the side Arsene Wenger selects.
The Gunners head to The Hawthorns on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions, with club-record signing Mesut Ozil having a hand in all of the goals in their 3-1 victory over Stoke at the Emirates as Arsenal went top of the table.
Up for the Cup: Kieran Gibbs insists Arsenal won't take West Brom lightly in their Capital One Cup clash
Manager Wenger has already indicated he will rest some of his key men, like Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott, who aggravated a minor abdominal strain in the warm-up on Sunday and was pulled out of the side.
Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner, who saw a move away during the transfer window blocked, is one of those fringe players likely to feature against the Baggies.
However, with the Gunners needing to keep alive their hopes of some long-overdue silverware, Gibbs acknowledges there can be no sense of complacency.
Back in the red: Nicklas Bendtner is set to appear for the Gunners for the first time since August 2011
'It will be a different mentality in the cup games so we have to switch on to that and make sure we are ready for West Brom on Wednesday,' Gibbs said. 'We have a momentum now and we want to keep that going.'
Despite again being hampered by some fitness problems last season and Arsenal also signing Spain defender Nacho Monreal in an 8.5million deal from Malaga during the January 2012 transfer window, Gibbs enjoyed a decent campaign for the Gunners with 29 starts.
The left-back was however not part of Roy Hodgson's England squad for the end-of-season friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, nor for the last round of Group H qualifiers.
On a roll: Arsene Wenger's side head into the Cup clash with West Brom on a seven-match winning streak
Nevertheless, Gibbs - who has battled back from a broken metatarsal in November 2009 and then a hernia operation two seasons ago - retains hopes of forcing his way back into contention if his new approach can help secure a good run in the Arsenal side.
'I have always felt that when I am able to get a run of games, that is what I needed to kick on,' Gibbs said. 'I have always felt sure I could do that. Now I feel I am kicking on. I need to keep that going and stay fit. That is my main target.'
'Since my thigh strain at the end of last year, I met someone new who has taken a good look at me physically and I owe him credit at the minute because he has kept me fit for the last eight to 10 months.'
Bring it on: Stephane Sessegnon (centre) scored as West Brom warmed up for Arsenal by beating Sunderland
Gibbs has both former Arsenal full-back Cole and Everton's Leighton Baines ahead of him in the England set-up, but remains determined to get himself back on the manager's radar.
'It is a challenge to compete against two world-class left-backs, both at the top of their games,' he said. 'I just have to see it as a challenge and stay fit and concentrate on the (Arsenal) team and give myself the best chance.'
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Arteta, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Monreal and Viviani defo need run outs
Agreed. Maybe have Ramsey on the bench just in case the match does not go well..
Yea agreed. Ramsey on the bench just in case the match does not go well.
I would start with Viviano, Monreal, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Jenkinson, Arteta, Ramsey, Flamini, Gnabry, Miyaichi, Bendtner. Subs: Szczesny, Mertesacker, Wilshere, Giroud, Ozil
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Frankie1, Carlisle, United Kingdom, 17 minutes ago
I think you are all spot on. It is the team I would choose, Arteta can now play his natural game in midfield instead of the deep lying role which was a disaster, let Flamini do that job, interesting to see how the two youngsters perform on the wings.