West Brom v Arsenal Preview

by SamuelJayC Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:56 pm

West Bromich Albion v Arsenal, Saturday 6th April 3pm, The Hawthorns, Premier League

West Brom v Arsenal Preview Arsenal-v-Reading-Gervinho-celeb_2922396

West Brom v Arsenal Preview Arsenal-v-Reading-Gervinho-celeb_2922396

Premier League

1. Man Utd 77pts
2. Man City 62pts
3. Spurs 57pts
4. Chelsea 55pts
- - - - - - - -
5. Arsenal 53pts
6. Everton 51pts
7. Liverpool 48pts
8. W.Brom 44pts

Arsenal head to The Hawthorns for another must-win clash

It's almost eleven months ago to the day since Arsenal's last trip to The Hawthorns. On that May afternoon, the Gunners knew that only three points would do, in all likeliness. Tottenham were hosting Fulham, who had little to play before, pride aside. Emmanuel Adebayor and Yossi Benayoun put the North London clubs ahead before it looked as though Arsene Wenger's proud Champions League qualification record was about to come to an end. Shane Long and then Graham Dorrans put West Bromich Albion 2-1 up after 15 minutes. Andre Santos would equalise, meaning the sides in the Midlands went in level at the break. Laurent Koscielny would scramble in what turned out to be a second-half winner, following the back-up 'keeper Martin Fulop's third mistake of the afternoon. Jermain Defoe's strike at White Hart Lane proved irrelevant - particularly after Chelsea won the European cup resulting in Spurs' Europa League participation for the season. And in the end, Arsenal had secured top-flight European football for the 15th successive campaign.

While this weekend's clash with WBA doesn't carry the same pressures that the final day of last season did, the similarities are evident. Arsenal sit four points behind Spurs, though they have a game in hand on their north London rivals, while Chelsea sit two points above Wenger's men. A victory on Saturday will see Arsenal move into fourth place in the Premier League, above Chelsea, and close the gap on Spurs to just a point. West Brom sit eighth after a largely successful first season under Steve Clarke.

Match Facts

* Arsenal have won each of their last 3 Premier League clashes against West Brom.

* Arsenal have won 4 and lost just 1 of their 6 Premier League trips to The Hawthorns; netting in each match there.

* Steve Clarke’s side have won back-to-back home games for the first time since November 2012 thanks to consecutive 2-1 wins over Sunderland and Swansea.

* 4 of Arsenal’s 6 league away wins this season have come in their last 7 trips away from the Emirates (D1 L2).

* No team have scored more goals after the 76th minute of matches this season than Arsenal (15).

* Romelu Lukaku is West Brom’s top scorer this season (13). He scored 5 times in his last 6 league appearances at The Hawthorns.

* Arsenal are yet to lose a Premier League game that they have taken the lead in this season (W15 D2).

* Theo Walcott hasn't scored in 5 Premier League appearances. The last time he went longer without scoring in the competition was in between Nov 2011 – Jan 2012 (nine apps).

* West Brom’s pairing of Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley have made 32 blocks each this season. Only Ryan Shawcross (33) and Ashley Williams (42) have made more.

* Mikel Arteta has scored 3 goals in his last 3 Premier League games against West Brom; including two penalties in the last meeting between the clubs.

Team News

Arsenal

Walcott (ankle), Wilshere (thigh) & Diaby (knee) are out.

West Brom

Mulumbu (suspension) & Gera (knee) are unavailable, but Morrison (hamstring) is back in the squad.

Arsenal bench: Szcesny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski

WBA bench: Myhill, Tamas, Popov, Thomas, Odemwingie, Fortune, Rosenberg

Pre-match views

Steve Bould

"We played really well against Tottenham and we absolutely deserved more than we got. Two defensive errors and we got punished by good players - that's what happens. I think everybody has realised that clean sheets win games a lot of the time. We've improved. The big thing for us was getting that result at Bayern. I think we're more or less the only team that's won there this season so it just gives everybody a belief that we're doing alright. It was an important game for us. If we win every game 3-2 from now until the end of the season, everybody is happy and delighted. We need to win games. That's the most important thing."

Steve Clarke

"Arsenal have some really good players, they've got one thing to play - Champions League qualification - and they'll make it tough for us on Saturday, but it's a game we'll relish."

by RealGunner Sat Apr 06, 2013 12:32 am

Great work Sam.

Pretty nervous about this game. West Brom away is never easy. We will have to play the same way like we have been in the past few weeks. But easier said than done.

Lukaku will be a threat since he is the type we hate to play. Yacob is an intelligent midfielder who has been excellent for WBA this season.

Let's hope we do the job and other results go in our favour

by Sina Sat Apr 06, 2013 12:54 am

Great work

im a bit worried if we push up and they isolate Per in one on ones with Long/Lukaku

they can be a threat from set piece and also Brunt Morrison and co capable of hitting some long rangers

we should collect second balls and track midfield runners

with same set up as vs reading and with Mulumbo missing Cazorla and Rosicky rotating and driftin in should be able to find space between the lines and Giroud should try to bring others in to play and look to drag their CB's outta position as they are dominat but a bit slow on the turn with Either Poldi or Gerv making penetrating runs and Exploit space

i would like a solid defensive display keep it tight and solid defensive shape and break through when chance is on

their home record is pretty good but yet stoke have won there!! West Brom v Arsenal Preview Trolldolski

COYG

by Raptorgunner Sat Apr 06, 2013 2:35 am

Great preview Sam.

A must win game, WBA is a tough team but I trust our team to get all 3 points. 2-1 or a 3-1 win for us.

by CBarca Sat Apr 06, 2013 2:41 am

I'm giving it a 1-1 tie.

Arsenal will find this game difficult and Lukaku will score off a 360 no scope dragon kick volley.

by furiouswindbottom Sat Apr 06, 2013 7:24 am

RealGunner wrote: Yacob is an intelligent midfielder who has been excellent for WBA this season.

Couldn't agree more. One for us to watch imo.

A technically gifted DM who's a beast in the tackle and never stops working. I believe we were linked with him before a few years ago.

Now has 3 full caps for Argentina to his name and still only 25.

Could do worse than keep your eye on him, Arsene.

by Wilson37 Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:11 am

Great preview..
Will be interesting to know whether we can keep our performance and make ground on our opponents this week.. Spuds have every chance of dropping points against Everton without Bale...
And i expect to see the 'Arsenal Gervais' to be back today against a better defense.. his performance last match deserves another start.. But he needs to be subbed after first half for Ox if it doesnt go well..
And not sure to keep Podolski in bench if he is fit just to maintain the winning formation.. I would play Podolski in the left and play Cazorla this time as the false RW instead of Gervais.. Will retain Arteta-Ramsey-Rosicky in midfield and Kos-Met in CB.. And may be welcome back Gibbo for Monreal...

by El Gunner Sat Apr 06, 2013 10:30 am

One of those tricky games, no doubt... But pretty much like last year, nothing but 3 points would do so I think we can do this.

Spurs will drop points this month, they will we just need to keep on winning...

C'mon Arsenal Thumbs up

by Rev Sat Apr 06, 2013 2:56 pm

Our recent defensive performances have been quite encouraging so I hope we'll keep it up. Their defense is quite average but they have some dangerous players in Lukaku and Long.

As long as we get the 3 points and move to 4th, I'll be content. cheers