Olivier Giroud lines up as the sole striker but has strong support in the shape of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arsenal have some defending to do, though, as the Hammers start brightly and win an early corner...

Can Arsenal follow up their win against Chelsea in the Community Shield with a commanding win today that would boost their credentials as title contenders? 

Time to find out as the Gunners get us under way.

Sportform:  After the Europa League exit, today could be the beginning of the end for Bilic if West Ham fail to show up.

Tony Cocozza: As a Hammer I'm already worried for the season ahead. If we start badly, it won't be long before the knives are out for Slaven.

John Brown:  Oxford has been performing well in pre-season. Huge call from Bilic though. Perhaps Oxford will repay the managers faith today?

Get involved via #bbcfootball,, external text in on  81111  (UK only) and post a comment on the  BBC Match of the Day Facebook page.

It is not on the same level as Chancel Mbemba, but Mesut Ozil was looking pretty smart on arrival at the Emirates Stadium earlier. He starts behind lone striker Olivier Giroud today.

Image source, Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Reece Oxford was just eight when West Ham last won at Arsenal in the league. Can he end their long wait for victory today?

Alan Shearer
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Petr Cech is a great signing for Arsenal. But they were 12 points short of Chelsea last season, and they need more.

Olivier Giroud got 14 league goals last season but does not compare to Wayne Rooney,Sergio Aguero or Diego Costa for me. And those are his main rivals.

If Arsenal signed a really top-class striker, say Karim Benzema at Real Madrid, I think they would be real contenders, not just for the Premier League, but to go far in the Champions League as well. 

Image source, .

It's definitely worth checking out BBC Sport's new feature - My Premier League Life. 

Ever wondered how many games your team have played during your lifetime? Goals scored? Trophies won? Managers employed?

All you need to do is choose a team from the 20 in the Premier League this season, input your date of birth and, to discover even more information, your postcode, and My Premier League Life will do the rest.

Image source, BBC Sport

Right then people. Time to make your choice. We are very much focusing on Arsenal's game against West Ham on this page, while my colleague Matt Davis has just fired up a separate live text commentary page on Newcastle v Southampton. 

Make your move or, even better, why not get a bit of split-screen action going on.

Image source, Newcastle

I just can't get enough of Chancel Mbemba's tux, and neither can the photographer in the bottom left corner of this photo.

My new favourite player already.

Alan Shearer
BBC Sport

Image source, PA

If he is allowed to coach, manage and deal with the squad ins and outs without interference, then I think that Steve McClaren will be a success. He is a very good coach.

But all the managers on Tyneside have had the same issue - being unable to bring in the players that they want and being able to pick the team that they want in the cup competitions.

I think that Newcastle's owners got a shock last season. They saw that if the did not invest in the squad, people would stop turning up and buying season tickets.

They have rectified that and brought in some promising players.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

The half-time whistle's been and gone at Deepdale, where Preston and Middlesbrough are still level at 0-0. 

Stewart Downing's looked relatively quiet on his Boro return, and the home side have had the better of the chances and a decent penalty shout.

You can follow that onein a separate live text commentary.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst on MOTD2 Extra

"I think Newcastle will be in the top 10, I really do."

Good choice going with that tuxedo Chancel Mbemba as Newcastle boss Steve McClaren gives his new signing a start along with Georginio Wijnaldum. Aleksandar Mitrovic on the bench.

Newcastle XI:  Krul, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haidara, Anita, Colback, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Obertan, Cisse.

England striker Jay Rodriguez makes his first Premier League start in 491 days, since he ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament in April 2014.

Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and Portugal full-back Cedric also makes their Premier league debut for the Saints.

Southampton XI: Stekelenburg, Cedric, Fonte, Yoshida, Targett, Wanyama, S. Davis, Tadić, Mané, Rodriguez, Pelle.

Image source, Southampton

Conor Turbet:  Why play him against Arsenal? Why not wait for Sunderland at home!

Rian Hoskins:  This is the problem. When a youngster is put in, people say they aren't ready. Barcelona are where they are as they took risks.

Get involved via #bbcfootball,, external text in on  81111  (UK only) and post a comment on the  BBC Match of the Day Facebook page.