West Ham face Arsenal in the last eight of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
West Ham United fans have repeatedly implored both Slaven Bilic and David Moyes to give Hammers youngster Toni Martinez the chance to shine in the east Londoners’ first team, and is Tuesday night the perfect time to it?
The Hammers go up against London rivals Arsenal at the London Stadium as they look to progress into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, with both sides likely to alter their sides.
Moyes could bring in a number of fringe players such as Joe Hart, Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll, while Arsenal are also expected to make changes with Arsene Wenger known for his preference to use youth in this competition.
But Moyes should mirror Wenger’s example and look to give Spaniard Martinez the debut that he is crying out for, by starting him on the substitute’s bench and bringing him on towards the end of the game.
Signed from Valencia last summer aged 19, Martinez has rapidly developed in the Hammers’ second string, amassing a huge 18 goals in 22 Premier League 2 appearances for the east Londoners, as well as enjoying a loan with Oxford United.
With Moyes’ side crying out for a prolific striker as Carroll, Javier Hernandez and Michail Antonio all struggle to find the back of the net on a regular basis, fans have been desperate to see Martinez make his first-team bow.
Away from the all-important Premier League, a bit of pressure has subsided for the Hammers and indeed Arsenal, as both London clubs do battle for a place in the last four and that should convince Moyes that Martinez can be afforded a run out.
Likely to start Carroll, Sakho and perhaps another attacker in a 4-3-3 system, Martinez should be brought on towards the end of the game in order to give him a taste of the speed and quality of first-team football.
Handing him a debut here will give him an idea of what the Premier League is all about, allowing him to start quicker when he is eventually given a chance in the top flight. Tuesday night’s clash is the perfect setting for a Martinez debut.
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