Giroud set to start but Lucas is the one to watch

Match Preview: Hull City vs Arsenal - Premier League - 17.09.2016

Tuesday's trip to Paris delivered, if nothing else, a stirring second-half fightback that should build a bit of momentum going forward. Having conceded to PSG just 42 seconds in, Arsenal dug in and found a vital point in the Champions League group-stage. Even if PSG helped us out by fluffing a few lines, Gooners have to feel good. However, will Arsenal play up to the same level against Hull, or will we succumb to the same malaise that has seen us slip up against lesser opponents (no offense, Hull) time and again? 

This quality of ours has been by turns one of the squad's most maddening and motivating characteristics. We are on one hand quite capable of holding our own, if not going one better, against the Barcas and Bayerns and Borussias of the world in the Champions League. Hell, in the Prem, we've even done better than expected against Man City in recent head-to-heads and were the only club to beat Leicester home and away in their epic, historic campaign. But when the heat is on pit us against Watford or Swansea and we go to pieces. It's as if we're only as good as our opponent at the moment. 

Perhaps there's some good then in the fact that Hull are off to a strong start. Having defeated Leicester and then Swansea, they've slowed somewhat, losing at home to Man U and then drawing away to Burnley. We've had our way against Hull for most if not all of the rivalry (6W, 3D, 1L), but that strong start of theirs should give us just enough warning to keep our guard up. Having taken just seven points from four matches, we're level with Hull on points and on goal-difference.

However, there's a new look if not a new hope to the Arsenal, and we just might see that in full force. This could and maybe even should be the first time that new signings Mustafi, Xhaka, and Pérez are on the pitch together. Chief among them, I expect Pérez to have a huge impact playing on the right wing. With Walcott nursing an injury, this should the new man's chance to shine. Playing ahead of Bellerín and Cazorla, he should have enough linguistic support if not intuitive connections to make his presence felt.

In fact, I'm naming Lucas as the player to watch. I believe he'll open his Arsenal account and help pave the way to victory. He may not be quite the striker we coveted over the summer, but he looks lively and perhaps even lethal. We should give him his first chance to prove himself.

LAST THREE Meetings

• Hull 0-4 Arsenal (08.03.2016—FA Cup)
• Arsenal 0-0 Hull (20.02.2016—FA Cup)
• Hull 1-3 Arsenal (04.05.2015)

FACTFILE

• Hull have managed just one goal in their last four clashes with Arsenal.
• Alexis Sanchez has notched four goals and two assists in four matches against Hull.
• The two clubs first clashed on 1 August 1913, a 1-2 win to Woolwich Arsenal in the Second Division.
  

INJURIES

Ramsey, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Welbeck and Jenkinson have all been ruled out. Walcott faces a late fitness test.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI

Čech; Monreal, Koscielny, Mustafi, Bellerín; Xhaka, Cazorla; Alexis, Özil, Lucas; Giroud.

Despite Hull’s strong start to the season, Arsenal are motivated after nabbing a point in Paris and will not be denied.

GOONERSPHERE'S PREDICTION

Arsenal 3-0 Hull

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