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Arsenal logo
Premier League
May 24, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
West Brom logo

4-1

Walcott (4', 14', 37'), Wilshere (17')
FT(HT: 4-0)
McAuley (57')

Preview: Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion

Sports Mole previews the Premier League meeting between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal take on West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, aiming to pick up their first win in four outings in order to end their Premier League campaign on a high note.

WBA already have a sixth successive term in the top flight to look forward to next season, and having claimed the scalps of Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks, they will be looking to do likewise in North London this weekend.



Arsenal

Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates as his cross deflects off of Tyler Blackett of Manchester United for an own goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 17, 2015© Getty Images

It has been a strange season for Arsenal in many ways - one which began in calamitous fashion, with just 11 points taken from the first 24 on offer, but ends with real hope prior to the 2015-16 campaign.

The Gunners may be winless in their last three outings, yet supporters will have seen plenty of promising signs during a recent eight-match winning run in the top flight. In fact, in 2015 as a whole, Arsenal have lost just four of their 25 games in all competitions.

Granted, one of those defeats was a disastrous 3-1 home reverse against Monaco in the Champions League, a result which not only helped pick out certain frailties in the side but also increased the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger an extra few notches.

A stalemate with Sunderland in midweek was met with a few boos around the Emirates Stadium, just days after a battling 1-1 draw at Old Trafford further strengthened their grip on third place. In many ways, this flat end to the league campaign could be exactly what Arsenal need.

Far too often in the past, Wenger has refused to truly strengthen his side in the hope that what he has will come good over time. The signings of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have gone some way to changing that perception, but further depth is certainly needed over the summer, as the past few weeks have gone to show.

All attention right now may be on the FA Cup, with third place all but secure baring a big goal swing on the final day, and should the Gunners prevail at Wembley and retain the trophy they won 12 months ago, it will be seen as a decent season overall following that poor start.

Recent form in Premier League: WDWLDD
Recent form (all competitions): WDWLDD



West Bromwich Albion

Chris Brunt of West Bromwich Albion (obscured) is mobbed by team mates in celebration as he scores their third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns on May 18, 2015© Getty Images

Say what you like about Tony Pulis's style of play, there is nobody better than the Welshman at taking over a team and providing some stability when it is needed most.

The Baggies hit a sticky patch in March and early April when losing four of their five games in the Premier League and exiting the FA Cup, but since a 3-2 loss against Leicester City six weeks ago, West Brom have not tasted defeat on a single occasion.

That cannot simply be put down to an easy fixture list, either, having beaten both Man United and Chelsea in that run, as well as holding Liverpool to a well-earned goalless draw.

Last Monday's victory over the league champions in particular stood out, with the West Midlands outfit moving themselves within three points of a top-half finish, albeit with a far inferior goal difference over those above them.

The task for Pulis now is to further strengthen his side over the summer and potentially prepare for life after Saido Berahino, who is likely to depart in the coming weeks should a "top-four club" come begging.

West Brom's end-of-season fixture list may have looked particularly daunting after that defeat at home to Leicester, but under Pulis they have shown over the past month that they can be a challenger in the top half next season.

Recent form: LWDWDW



Team News

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck reacts after a missed chance on February 15, 2014© Getty Images

Wenger revealed in his pre-match press conference that striker Danny Welbeck is a major doubt for the upcoming FA Cup final, meaning that he will almost certainly sit out this weekend's match.

The Frenchman's hand was forced last time out when he altered his starting lineup for the first time in seven games, and with a third match in the space of a week, there may be more changes to come with the cup final in mind.

Barcelona-linked midfielder Aaron Ramsey is in line to be selected in his preferred central position once more, with Jack Wilshere potentially watching on from the sidelines following his recent return from injury. Further forward, Olivier Giroud is seeking a first goal in seven outings.

In terms of the visitors, Berahino could make his final appearance as a Baggies player when he runs out onto the Emirates Stadium turf, looking to find Premier League goal number 15 of the season.

Pulis opted to revert things slightly for the visit of Chelsea, but with only Ben Foster on the long-term absentee list, he has the ability to experiment a little further on Sunday should he wish.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Brunt, Fletcher, Yacob, Morrison, Mulumbu, Berahino



Head To Head

Arsenal have won six of their last seven meetings against the Baggies, while they have also gone unbeaten on the final day of the campaign for nine years - the longest such run in the division.

The omens look good for the Gunners, then, particularly when you factor in that West Brom have scored only two goals in their last five meetings with their weekend opponents.

Welbeck's header on the hour secured the points for Wenger's charges in the reverse fixture earlier this season, as Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners to move back into the top four last November.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Arsenal 2-1 West Brom

West Brom may be on a high following recent results, not least the heavy win over Chelsea earlier this week, but Arsenal will be eager to end their league campaign on a high in front of their home supporters following a recent shaky spell.



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