As the curtains go up on Saturday at the Emirates, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have a crucial 90 minutes ahead of them. 3 points against West Brom would do wonders for the Gunners as they stand at 10th place in the table 5 points hehind 5th place West Brom. Not often do you see Arsenal at this position during December but as the festival time looms closer it’s a time when each and every point is important.
Since demolishing their neighbours 5-2 almost a fotnight ago, Arsenal have only earned 2 points out of the possible 9 in the league. And are 4 games without a win in all competitions following a defeat to Olympiakos in the mid-week champions league clash. The sides met at a similar situation in the final game of the campaingn last season with Arsenal needing 3 points to secure automatic qualification for the Champions league. WBA’s goalkeeper Martin Fulop, gift wrapped three points for the Londoners with some blunders in front of goal. A similar feat from someone is what the Gunners will be hoping for this Saturday.
West Bromwich on the other hand have made a splendind start to the season, winning 8 games and a total of 26 points from the opening 15 games of the season is something that the Hawthorns faithful have not seen in the recent past. However losing their previous 2 games, the ship has started to crack in some places and boss Steve Clarke has to take measures quickly of Albion’s hopes of getting a European spot would remain a dream.
Recent form
Arsenal: LDWDDL
West Bromwich Albion: WWWWLL
Match Facts:
- Peter Odemwingie has scored in two of his three Premier League appearances against Arsenal.
- The Baggies have never kept a clean sheet in their 12 Premier League games against Arsenal, conceding 28 goals in total.
- In the last six league meetings between the Gunners and West Brom, there have been five goals scored in the opening 10 minutes.
- 63% (10 of 16) of the goals Arsenal have conceded this season have been down to unforced errors, a higher proportion than any other side.
- Arsenal have won just three of their last 10 Premier League home games (W3 D4 L3).
- WBA have not lost three league games in a row since January, 33 games ago.
- The Baggies have kept only one clean sheet in their last 24 Premier League away games.
- Arsenal have scored 5+ goals in four Premier League home games in 2012, more than any other side.
- Santi Cazorla has provided only one assist in his last 11 Premier League appearances.
- If games lasted 80 minutes in the Premier League, West Brom would be second.
The Spanish duo would be the trump card for Arsenal
Injury News:
Though Wenger rested several first team player for their mid-week match, some key figures will be missing out this saturday. Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski, who are both struggling with calf injuries and they could be replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Arsène Wenger revealed the following team news:
on the latest issues… Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott (calf) are out. Bacary Sagna (foot) and Laurent Koscielny (thigh) are not back. From Tuesday night in Greece there are no new injuries so we have a selection from the combined squad of Tuesday and Saturday.
on Podolski’s injury… It is a hamstring. It should be short-term.
on Andre Santos… He will not be ready for Saturday but he is not far away with an abdominal injury.
West Bromwich Albion does not have any injury concerns as manager Steve Clarke welcomes back striker Romelu Lukaku to the starting lineup alongside Peter Odemwingie
Line-ups:
Arsenal: Szczesny; Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Jenkinson, Gibbs; Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud, Gervinho
West Bromwich Albion: Myhill; Reid, Olsson, Popov, McAuley; Yacob, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Gera; Rosenberg, Long
Prediction: 1-0 win to Arsenal.