Arsenal host West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, hoping to get the three points and move back into the Premier League top three. West Brom don't have much left to play for this season but a win at the Emirates could give them a real chance of finishing in the top half of the league table. The Baggies have won the reverse fixture 2-1, a lucky win for them considering that they had only one shot on target in that match. They have the chance of completing a league double over Arsenal for the first time since the 1961-1962 season.
Arsenal are out of the title race once again, their 12-year wait for the Premier League crown will continue. Two months ago, after they had beaten Leicester City, the Gunners moved just two points behind the Foxes at the top of the table. But since then Leicester kept the pace high, while Arsenal won just two of their seven league matches. Now they are 13 points behind Leicester, only a miracle of biblical proportions could make Wenger's men win the title this season. They will have to secure their place in the top four though as fifth-placed Manchester United are not far behind. Jack Wilshere could get a place on the bench, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky are still injured.
West Brom have dropped to 14th place after a poor run of form but they don't have any real relegation worries. In fact, a few good results in the remaining league matches could well push them towards the top half of the table. They have lost three of their last four matches though and their last away victory was all the way back in October. Last weekend they lost 1-0 at home to Watford, with striker Saido Berahino missing two penalty kicks in the second half. Alex Pritchard, Chris Brunt and James Morrison remain sidelined, but manager Tony Pulis doesn't have any fresh injury worries.
Probable line-ups:
Arsenal: Cech - Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal - Coquelin, Ramsey - Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi - Giroud
West Brom: Foster - Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Chester - Fletcher, Yacob - Sessegnon, Berahino, McClean - Rondon
My prediction: Arsenal to win 3-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Arsenal win - 1.29 Draw - 6.00 West Brom win - 13.00
sharpe 7 years ago
Arsenal looking quite scared last seasons when they have to play any games in the PL under pressure, this time it' wasn't quite the same just because there wasn't so much pressure on them in this game. They've had already lost their title chances and it was quite easier for Wenger and his boys to perform in this situation.
Arsenal looking quite scared last seasons when they have to play any games in the PL under pressure, this time it' wasn't quite the same just because there wasn't so much pressure on them in this game. They've had already lost their title chances and it was quite easier for Wenger and his boys to perform in this situation.
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JohnnyK 7 years ago
Spot on prediction Milaneli, hope you recovered some of your losses from last weekend! ;)
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Alexa Alexa 7 years ago
A lot of pressure was on the Gunners,they needed this win to keep their 3rd place.It was not easy,but early goal od Alexis Sanchez really helped them a lot to play with more confidence.Alexis scored another one before the half time.This was one of the best matches for him this season.Only with him in superb form,Arsenal...
A lot of pressure was on the Gunners,they needed this win to keep their 3rd place.It was not easy,but early goal od Alexis Sanchez really helped them a lot to play with more confidence.Alexis scored another one before the half time.This was one of the best matches for him this season.Only with him in superb form,Arsenal can think about titles.
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Milaneli 7 years ago
I'm not even sure what to say about this game. Arsenal failed me during the weekend when they 1:1 versus Crystal Palace, costing me 150 euros on my ticket. They need only few more points to secure themselves Champions League spot. League is now even mathematically lost, they had small gap in case they won versus Crystal...
I'm not even sure what to say about this game. Arsenal failed me during the weekend when they 1:1 versus Crystal Palace, costing me 150 euros on my ticket. They need only few more points to secure themselves Champions League spot. League is now even mathematically lost, they had small gap in case they won versus Crystal Palace. On the other hand, WBA has nothing to fight for, they secured themselves that mid-table spot, cant get relegated, cant go into Europe leagues. I predict 2-0 win for Gunners, but wouldn't be too surprised if they slip up once again.
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nik92 7 years ago
Thanks for this preview Johny. Championship title in England for Arsenal and Wenger is like a curse. They begun well, but it will not end well for Gunners. Now the main goal is to return to the first three teams, because of direct placement in the Champions League next year. Arsenal has a game less than Manchester City,...
Thanks for this preview Johny. Championship title in England for Arsenal and Wenger is like a curse. They begun well, but it will not end well for Gunners. Now the main goal is to return to the first three teams, because of direct placement in the Champions League next year. Arsenal has a game less than Manchester City, and with a win against WBA, they will be third. I'm sure for home win today, because I don't see any threat of the visiting team. Last two games these opponents: booth teams score goal and over 2.5, I think the same will happen this time.
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