WBA vs Arsenal Preview

Premier League Table
1. Manchester City 86 pts
2. Manchester United 86 pts
3. Arsenal 67 pts
4. Tottanic 66 pts
5. Newcastle 65 pts


Gunners - Victory at all Costs



What is there to say about this crucial encounter that hasn't been nervously uttered by every fan of Arsenal, Newcastle and the Tottanic alike? The Champions League lays just beyond the haze, her glimmering spoils beckoning three teams toward her, each with a chance to gain automatic qualification on Sunday. But. Neither of the latter two teams can grab the coveted third spot if Arsenal are to win, thereby making this the single most important game of the season. Forget the Wigans and Blackburns that marred what could have been exquisite form at the time, if Arsenal are playing in the Europa League next year, all that can be done is to point at this one game on Sunday and say "There. That was the critical point." However it isn't all gloomy pressure, the odds still favor the Gunners to beat West Brom away and claim 3rd although it will be tricky as this is a side that has been experiencing some decent form as of late.


With the Arsenal missing key Right back Bacary Sagna and Wojciech Szczesny's status unknown, this encounter could be tight as Arsenal have everything to lose while West Brom have nothing at stake to affect their play.


West Bromwich Albion - a Farewell to Hodgson


As mentioned before, the pressure is all on Arsenal as the Baggies have nothing to gain as relegation nips not at their heels since they sit comfortably in the top half of the table. Albion will look to send their departing manager off to the England post and the Euro 2012 tournament with a win to thank him for his work, however, this match will not be straight forward for either side since the Baggies will be facing an Arsenal with their backs to the wall and Albion's recent form doesn't suggest that a scoreline can be safely predicted as it's been erratic.


INJURY NEWS:

Theo Walcott is testing himself in full training in a bid to be match fit and start in the crucial match on Sunday. Wojciech Szczesny has a slight back injury but could play. Wilshere, Mertesacker, Sagna, Arteta and Diaby are all out.

WBA will be without their skipper Chris Brunt. Peter Odemwingie and Jerome Thomas also reported to be doubtful.

Projected Arsenal Lineup:




MATCH STATS:

• Arsenal Recent Form:
  
  D D D L W
  
  WBA Recent Form:
  
  D D W W L
  
  
  
  WBA PL Home Record:
  P 18 W 6 D 3 L 9
  
  Robin Van Persie has 30 goals this season, 4 more than 2nd place Wayne Rooney
  
  Arsenal have won 3 of their last 5 games against WBA in all competitions
  
  Arsenal haven't lost at The Hawthorns since October 15th 2005 when they lost 2-1
  
  
  Only Blackburn, Wolves & Bolton have lost more home games in the Premier League this season than West Brom.
  
  
  West Brom have scored the joint-lowest amount of goals at home in the Premier League this season (19 - same tally as Wolves & Wigan)
  
  Arsenal vs WBA since 1901 in all competitions:
  W61 D29 L36
  

MJ's Final Thoughts:

Basically all that can be said has been said but it's imperative to note that this is the moment, this is as Wenger juxtaposed, extremely akin to our last game at Highbury and could be even more important in the respect that it could determine our entire future. We, as a team, must impress and convince Van Persie to stay. If we finish 3rd then the transfer market will open up to us since Champions League football is a very attractive prospect for any potential buy and we'd be in a much better position financially. If we want to secure our future, we have to win this game.

Keeping in mind that WBA have made it a sort of mini-motto to 'Do it for Roy' to thank him for his work at the club and to send him away with a victory, I'd like to make a suggestion to Arsenal.

Do it for Pat.

Excellent work MJ.

Will write up my thoughts on the game and give a prediction in the predictor thread later.

MJ very well done.


Cup final game and 3erd place is the trophy.

Arsenal team v West Brom last season (2-2): Almunia; Sagna Koscielny Squillaci Clichy; Denilson Ramsey Wilshere; Nasri Van Persie Arshavin.

Bench: Lehmann Eboue Gibbs Miquel Rosicky Chamakh Bendtner

Goals - Reid 3, Odemwingie 58 / Arshavin 70, Van Persie 78 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=239W4MBJods&feature=related )

Interesting line-ups. Only Koscielny, Ramsey & RVP likely to start this weekend. Hard to forget the squillaci/almunia mix-up for odemwingie goal

Winning this match is like winning a trophy

Do it for Pat, and do it for the fans. No complacency, no slip up, no stupid mistakes please. If one player doesn't give his 100% in this match fans will never forget it, this is a must win.

COYG!

Great work MJ

So to sum it up

-i hope coquelin starts at DM with Jenks at RB
but expect same back line and midfield as MJ line up
Whether its out and out wingers and packed midfield in 4-5-1 or strikers drifting wide in 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 they will try to drag Defenders out of position and their midfield playing narrow trying to exploit space between center backs and fullbacks
also the likes of Morrison, Dorrans and co not being shy to try their luck from distance
we should track midfield runners and don't let them much time and space on the ball
that makes Coquelin in midfield preferred option to Ramsey to me
also they have scored 15 goals from set piece (only Manc clubs, stoke and blackburn have scored more in that manner)
in that case have to see if Fabianski starts or woj though shezny sometimes flaps it as well at times

i think they are pretty vulnerable on counters so at times and mostly at start if they come out to play because of the emotions as woy leaves Gerv ox and Theo if he can play part can be outlets

no chance but to win
though have a feeling spuds cant beat fulham
Come On You Gunners

Here we gooooooooooo!!

Sorry Mom, but I'm spending Mother's Day brunch watching this game. I love you and all but, well...you understand.

Wenger - "We started the season losing Fabregas, Wilshere & Nasri. The way we recovered is remarkable."

"West Brom won't be on the beach. They have offensive power: Odemwingie, Long, Fortune...we need a good defensive display."

WEST BROM

Everton.

It's been a long time since I've been so anxious about the final game of the season. This is probably the first time since the 05/06 season that the final day is actually relevant to us. Funny how it's a similar situation.

Watching this game and keeping an eye on Spurs and Newcastle is going to be incredibly nerve-wracking.

GoonerJay29 wrote:Everton.

It's been a long time since I've been so anxious about the final game of the season. This is probably the first time since the 05/06 season that the final day is actually relevant to us. Funny how it's a similar situation.

Watching this game and keeping an eye on Spurs and Newcastle is going to be incredibly nerve-wracking.

Whats going to be nerve racking is slipping to fourth and then watching Bayern and Chelsea in the CL final. That would be the epitome of doing things the Arsenal way.

Great preview MJ!

I really hope we do well in this game and i hope arsenal have learned something from thier previous games. Our defenders were horrible against Norwich so hoping for a good defensive display.

I would love to see Coq start over Ramsey because of Ramsey's form and his confidence. Coq is full of energy, he is quick and he is good defensively which gives song a little bit freedom to create and go forward.

Official Arsenal website confirms Szczesny is fit for Sunday, and that Coquelin will start at right-back - http://t.co/1erWg32V

I cant wait for the game, why did it have to come down to this, how man chance we had to secure 3erd place.

I'm worried by one thing, and only thing only...Ramsey starting in the middle.

I hope he fecking shows up for Pat.

Great preview btw :king:

Gonna get piss poor drunk just in case.

Awesome preview.

MJ

Thanks everyone. Appreciate it.

I hope ,we will do what we should do....Winning ,that's it !.......Excellent preview MJ

What other options do we have to replace Ramsey for game?

- - - - - ---------------------Szczesny---------

--- Coque -------------------- Koscielny---------- - Vermaelen -------------- Gibbs

- - - - - - - ----------------- Song - - -------l-Rosicky-----------------

------ Gervinho - - - - ------------ Santos ---- ---------------Benayoun

- - - - - - - - - - - -------------- van Persie

play gibbs and santos at LW and LB... move Benny and Rosicky at Mid and AM

Cant imagine the importance of this match.. So we are playing for the 3rd place trophy, for Pat Rice and our future...
*
and about the team.. I also would like to play Coquelin instead of Ramsey.. And play Jenkinson at RB.. But trying it for the first time in such a match.. And fans are going to screw Wenger if something goes wrong..
And why we should hurry an injured Walcott.. Will keep faith in Gervinho.. He did better last match..
And no more defensive lapses or comedies.. Cant simply afford it.. If we win we have CL, more money, RVP, quality signings to come and hopefully title challengers next season.. If we lose.. Nervous..
No live telecast as they are showing both Yanited and Shitys finals...

-------Szczesny--------
Coq Koss Verm Gibbs
-----Song Rosicky-----
----------AOC----------
Gervinho RVP Benayoun

This to me is the best available starting 11

Van Persie: "All the goals I have scored this season, all the awards I have won — I would trade them all in an instant for us to win today"

I like his attitude, hope others have the same feeling about this match.