Arsenal will return to the Hawthorns, less than a fortnight after leaving victorious in the Capital One Cup, in the hope of winning an 11th straight win in all competitions.
The cup tie boasted few big name stars in either line-up, however that is likely to change as Albion look to beat Arsenal at the Hawthorns for the first time in 6 meetings in the West Midlands.
Form
The Baggies sit comfortably in 10th, reflecting their unusually mediocre start to the season. Having won 2, drawn 2 and lost 2, Albion are on a high after those 2 wins came in the past two weeks. A 3-0 win over Sunderland gave them the momentum to go to Old Trafford and pull off a stunning 2-1 victory.
Yet Arsenal could take advantage of their dodgy home form, winning 1 but losing twice at the Hawthorns.
The shock in Manchester was contrasted by Arsenal’s expected victory at Swansea. Another 2-1 victory, however this time in a more comfortable style and against a below-par Welsh side. The 5th straight win of the season went down with the professionalism and the lack-of-complacency that only Arsene Wenger could teach.
The Gunners lead the way at the top of the table, leaving Spurs trailing in their wake and Liverpool the only real contenders for top spot; facing Crystal Palace today.
Team news
Carl Jenkinson is set to be drafted in at right-back for Arsenal after news broke of Bacary Sagna’s three-week lay-off with a hamstring injury.
Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Yaya Sanogo, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby are all still recovering, while Thomas Vermaelen could make the bench at the same ground that he made his return to the starting XI last month.
West Brom are likely to be without a senior striker with the injuries to Victor Anichebe, Shane Long and former Gunner Nicolas Anelka. Saido Berahino – the match winner at Old Trafford – looks set to gain his first start in the Premier League after his blistering introduction to top-flight football.
Raising the bar - Mikel
Jack Wilshere is also in line for a recall after he sat out the Champions League game against Benitez’s Napoli, and is likely to come in for Mikel Arteta as the Spaniard looks to regain full fitness after his hefty spell on the sidelines.
However, after Arteta’s performance on Tuesday, the midfielder played down talk of this Arsenal side becoming the new “Invincibles”:
"I don't think we are at that level yet, but competition makes everyone work harder so it is a great thing because it raises the level," said Arteta.
"If you don't play well for one or two games, then you can be dropped.”
"We have players to come back like Santi (Cazorla) and Abou Diaby and that's the way we want it. When it is really tough, everyone is at 100 per cent and that makes a big difference."
Arteta also praised new boy Mesut Ozil for lifting the team after his arrival from Real Madrid this summer:
"It was a great message from the club because everyone was really expecting a top, top player, probably a striker rather than a number 10, but in the end we got an amazing player and that gave a lift to everyone, not only us but you can see the people are excited again to come and watch and that makes a big difference," he said.
"A player like Ozil gives you a step forward quality-wise and gives you another player on the pitch who can decide the game for you.
After scoring his first for the Gunners in midweek, Ozil will now chase the opportunity to hit his first in the Premier League.
Expected line-up
Szczesny, Jenkinson Koscienly Mertesacker Gibbs, Flamini Wilshere, Gnabry Ramsey Ozil; Giroud.
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