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AAR-IN RAMSEY

Arsenal vs West Ham team news: Mesut Ozil illness confirmed as Aaron Ramsey comes in and Jack Wilshere faces former side

Ramsey has been in the news this week over his contract issues but Unai Emery has put that aside and brought him into the side to face West Ham

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AARON RAMSEY has been brought back into the Arsenal side to face West Ham as Mesut Ozil is out with illness.

Jack Wilshere, meanwhile, will face his former side for the first time after being released from the Emirates at the end of last season.

 Aaron Ramsey starts against West Ham in the Premier League today after being dropped for the Chelsea defeat
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Aaron Ramsey starts against West Ham in the Premier League today after being dropped for the Chelsea defeatCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Jack Wilshere also starts at the Emirates, but will be on the visiting team for the first time
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Jack Wilshere also starts at the Emirates, but will be on the visiting team for the first timeCredit: Getty - Contributor

German star Ozil did not train yesterday after apparently being taken ill on the eve of today’s match.

His absence has given Ramsey a repeive at a time when the midfield man has been in the news amid ongoing discussions about a new contract.

But head coach Unai Emery told the Welshman to focus on his football and let the club and his agent sort out the contract negotiations.

Ramsey is the only change from the defeat at Chelsea, meaning Petr Cech retains his place in goal ahead of Bernd Leno.

 Ramsey started the opening game defeat to Manchester City but was dragged off after just 54 minutes
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Ramsey started the opening game defeat to Manchester City but was dragged off after just 54 minutesCredit: Reuters
 He started on the bench for the Chelsea defeat, replacing Mesut Ozil in the second half
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He started on the bench for the Chelsea defeat, replacing Mesut Ozil in the second halfCredit: Reuters
Arsenal manager Unai Emery wants Aaron Ramsey to ONLY focus on his football and not his contract situation

Emery has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation for his opening two games as Arsenal boss, with Ramsey starting the opening weekend defeat to Manchester City in the No10 role.

Ozil started that game on the wing but Ramsey was subbed off with just 54 minutes played and started on the bench for the Chelsea defeat, but came on for the German with 22 minutes left.

Wilshere said this week that he wanted to prove a point to Arsenal after being let go as his contract ran out in the summer.

And he will have a chance to prove himself this afternoon at the Emirates as he starts his third successive game for his new club.

 Wilshere spent 17 years at Arsenal but his contract was not renewed at the end of last season
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Wilshere spent 17 years at Arsenal but his contract was not renewed at the end of last seasonCredit: PA:Empics Sport
 West Ham club captain Mark Noble has been dropped and replaced with Carlos Sanchez in midfield, meaning Marko Arnautovic is given the armband
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West Ham club captain Mark Noble has been dropped and replaced with Carlos Sanchez in midfield, meaning Marko Arnautovic is given the armbandCredit: PA:Press Association

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini makes four changes for the trip across London, as Pablo Zabaleta, Angelo Ogbonna, Mark Noble and Javier Hernandez replaced by Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop, Carlos Sanchez and Michail Antonio.

Pellegrini and Emery have both endured difficult Premier League starts at their new clubs. They have lost both of their games, with Arsenal 17th and West Ham 19th, two goals worse off.

Fulham and Huddersfield, in 18th and 20th respectively, are the only other sides yet to pick up a Premier League so far this season.

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