Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion; Premier League Match Preview

Arsenal return to the pitch this Saturday hoping to carry on with the improved performances they’ve shown over the last few matches. In last 8 matches with 24 points available, Arsenal have gained 19 of the possible 24, only dropping points in the North London Derby loss and the draw to Liverpool.  It’s a run of form that has only been bettered by eventual title-winners, Manchester United. It’s a run of form Arsenal take into the Hawthorns against an improved West Brom.

West Brom were the darlings of the early season sitting in the top 3 and riding an impressive run of form but as the season wore on, Steve Clark’s charges slid down nestling nicely in mid-table. While clubs that perennially finish in the top of the table might find such a slide disturbing, West Brom have to be thinking they are doing quite well.

They are safely ensconced in the league for another season. Europe isn’t really an option. So who knows how the Baggies will take this match. They’ve been in a yo-yo sort of form in the last few weeks, falling recently to West Ham and Andy Carroll’s efforts.

But they are a decent side and they may offer Arsenal more of a challenge than even Swansea did. They are collected and calm unit working quite well especially at home where their record has only been bettered by Manchester United and Manchester City.

Steve Clarke’s influence has also seen this squad be very stingy at home where they only concede an average of .9 goals per game. Oddly enough that is Arsenal’s concession rate on the road. So scoring for both sides could be at a premium.

In Arsenal’s favor is the fact that Youssouf Mulumbu will be suspended for this match following his sending off last week against West Ham. Mulumbu has been instrumental in the success West Brom have had defensively. This could only strengthen Arsenal’s traditional desire to control midfield play and thus possession of the ball.

So what should we expect from our Arsenal?

Everyone is talking about a new found confidence that is on display with the squad right now. Surely a win at Bayern can have that kind of catipaulting affect. Think back two seasons ago in the Carling Cup final when the prevailing thought was that a win there could launch greater things. The win didn’t happen and Arsenal fell flat.

Well as Steve Bould said in place of Wenger at the pre-match presser:

“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.”

And Steve is right. If you can go into a pitch and beat a team – regardless if you played well or not – that no one had beaten on that pitch in quite some time – then it likely will have the mental benefit of building a level of confidence and self-belief that is needed to carry further.

In this past episode of the podcast, Adrian Clarke and I discussed the professional manner by which Arsenal have gained these recent results. He says when you see the players there is a resolve, “look in the eyes” or a determination to show that this squad is better than the results may have previously indicated.

I firmly believe that the result in Germany is the elixir the players needed. It was mixed with a dash of reality from the loss to Spurs and a firm desire to prove critics wrong – in my estimation.

Arseblog today (here) mentions how Wenger being as cerebral as he can be states often that the mental side of the game is the one that easiest to lose. Actually, I think Andrew said confidence but you get the point. When you lose the game before you’ve entered the pitch, mentally that is, you are doomed.

The Invincibles it was said beat teams before the ever kicked the ball. Such was the confidence they carried. But it also has a negative effect as Andrew also points out – the loss to United caused even the Invincibles to wobble with doubt.

The point is, we talked prior to the Bayern match needing a good result to inspire the squad forward. At the time many of us thought a hard fought draw would suffice. But a win will do nicely. We got the result we needed in spades. I truly shudder to think what would’ve happened had we been drubbed.  But it didn’t and we reap what we sow and so far the harvest is good.

How the match should play out:

Arsenal have improved how they start their matches. Their improved form is not only linked to increased confidence but a desire to get out in front of an opponent early and get a goal. Even when it has gone a little pear shaped they still tend want to go forward and press a team back. West Brom will look to be compact and tight and likely force Arsenal off their rhythm much like they did back at the Emirates. West Brom have a decent upfront tandem of Long and Lukaku and Arsenal’s improved defensive focus will need to be in full effect to keep the two in check. Still, West Brom have nothing at this point to play for and it’s likely they will be happy of their season regardless of their result here. Looking for an Arsenal win.

Players to watch:

Arsenal. Gervinho. Coming off of last week’s performance, we can only hope that Ivory Coast Gervinho continues his time with Arsenal.

WBA: Lukaku. If he continues and improves . . . he likely will be the heir apparent at Chelsea for Didier Drogba. Scary thought

Probable Lineups:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal:  Diaby (knee), Walcott (hip/thigh), Wilshere (ankle)

WBA: Morrison (hamstring), Thorne (ACL),  Zera (ACL), Mulumbu (suspended)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Cazorla 12

WBA: Lukaku 13

Assists Leaders:
Arsenal: Podolski 9, Walcott 9

WBA: Long 4, Morrison 4

Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 2

WBA: 0

Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 1.3

WBA (home): 1.4

Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 0.9

WBA: (home): 0.9

Last Five:
Arsenal: WWLWW

WBA: LDWLW

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 26

WBA: 0

Match Official:
Referee: Howard Webb. Matches: 24. R2 Y85. 5Pk

Broadcast Information:
US: Fox Soccer Channel: 10:00AM (re-broadcast)

UK: Highlights on MOTD 1 BBC

YAMA Prediction:

Arsenal: 2

WBA: 1