MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 11:48:50| >> :60:1699:1699:
[monks data]
Attendance: 59,568
Arsenal logo
Premier League
Apr 21, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
West Brom logo

2-0

Sanchez (6', 38')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion

Sports Mole looks ahead to Thursday night's Premier League contest at the Emirates between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion.

A rare Thursday-night Premier League fixture this week sees Arsenal host West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates.

The hosts are looking to cement their place in the top four, while West Brom could climb within a point of 10th-placed Chelsea if they come out on top.


Arsenal

Arsene Wenger watches on during the Premier League game between West Ham United and Arsenal on April 9, 2016© Getty Images

Two months ago Arsenal were on course to end their 12-year wait for a Premier League title having done the double on leaders Leicester City and closed to within two points of the Foxes.

However, while Leicester have not let up, the Gunners have managed just two league wins in seven matches to fall 13 behind Claudio Ranieri's side. The title is not mathematically out of reach, but with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City above them, there is no hope of Arsenal being crowned champions this season.

They need to be wary of the sides below them, especially Manchester United, who will be within a point of them if they get the better of Crystal Palace at home later tonight.

The Gunners might be unbeaten in five league games, but three of those have finished as draws, including the last two against fellow Londoners West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

On Sunday, Palace fell behind to a well-taken goal from in-form Alexis Sanchez but then secured an unlikely draw through Yannick Bolasie's vicious low strike that Gunners goalkeeper Petr Cech said skidded too fast for him to stop at the near post.

Sanchez has now scored or assisted seven goals in his last six Premier League games (four goals, three assists) after delivering just one in his previous 10.

Going back to early January, Arsene Wenger's men have won just four of their last 13 Premier League games (W4 D6 L3), only one more victory than their opponents West Brom in their last 13 league matches (three wins).

Arsenal are the only team to have scored in every game against a side currently in the bottom half, and victory would be the Gunners' 500th in the Premier League era – only Manchester United with 583 have won more.

Recent Premier League form: LDWWDD
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWDD


West Brom

Saido Berahino sees his penalty saved by Heurelho Gomes during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Watford on April 16, 2016© Getty Images

A poor run of form has seen West Brom drop down to 14th, but the gap to the bottom three is still in double figures and with the Baggies on 40 points, there should be no danger of going down.

Tony Pulis's side have lost three of their last four matches in the league and have only won once away from home since October.

On Saturday they welcomed another bottom-half side seemingly assured of safety and it was a day to forget for Saido Berahino against Watford.

The Hornets were ahead at half time thanks to Ben Watson's cute finish from a corner, but West Brom won two penalties in the second half that Berahino saw saved by Heurelho Gomes. The first was a comfortable save for the Brazilian, but the second was much firmer and heading right into the corner when stopped.

Away from home, the Baggies have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games (W1 D5 L5). However, Pulis's side have picked up points on the road away at the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, West Ham and Everton this season.

All 10 of the Baggies' Premier League wins this season have been by a one-goal margin, including seven 1-0 victories.

Recent form: DWLDLL


Team News

Jack Wilshere of Arsenal looks on during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015© Getty Images

Wenger could make changes with the likes of Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud pushing for recalls.

Jack Wilshere has been continuing his comeback from a fractured ankle with Arsenal's Under-21 side, but is not yet fit enough to return to first-team action, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky remain sidelined.

Pulis will have to decide whether to stick with the team that started against Watford, with Berahino likely to keep his place despite the missed penalties.

The Baggies have no new injury worries, but Pulis is still unable to call upon Alex Pritchard, Chris Brunt and James Morrison.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi; Giroud

West Brom possible starting lineup:
Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Chester; Fletcher, Yacob; Sessegnon, Berahino, McClean; Rondon


Head To Head

West Brom are aiming to complete a league double over the Gunners for the first time since 1961-62. The reverse fixture finished 2-1 to the Baggies, despite the hosts having only one shot on target, with Mikel Arteta's own goal proving to be the winner.

Arsenal had been unbeaten in nine Premier League games against the Baggies before their defeat at The Hawthorns in November (W7 D2).

Only one of the 13 Premier League meetings between Wenger's Arsenal and a side managed by Pulis has ever ended as an away win. The latter has lost all seven visits to the Emirates Stadium.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Arsenal 2-0 West Brom

The title is out of reach, but Arsenal still need wins to assure themselves of yet another top-four finish and West Brom are unlikely to cause too many problems with their safety all but guaranteed.



ID:271052: cacheID:271052:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11174:
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jack Wilshere of Arsenal looks on during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015
Read Next:
Wenger backs Wilshere to play at Euros
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!