Arsenal are set to take on West Bromwich Albion in the premier league game on Sunday evening, 31st December 2017 at the Hawthorn’s Stadium. Arsenal will be looking to go within a point for 4th place Liverpool who have 41 points while Arsenal are on 37 points going into the West Brom game. The race for the top four is hotting up with United dropping points and only 8 points separating the teams from 2nd to 6th place. The match will kickoff at around 16:30 uk time and we will have live links closer to the kickoff right here.
Arsenal qualified for the FA Cup semifinals by beating Lincoln City but other than that they have had a terrible run of results since the start of the year. Getting knocked out of Champions League in devastating fashion in the hands of Bayern and their top 4 hopes are well and truly in balance going into the business end of the season.
Last time these two meet was back in March 2017 when West Brom ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at Hawthorn’s. Wenger and his Arsenal side will be keen to avoid such result this time around
Arsenal 1-3 West Brom – 18 March 2017
[ Premier League 2017 Match ]
12′ 1 – 0 Craig Dawson scores in 12 minute of the game to put West Brom in a surprise lead at Hawthorns.
15′ 1 – 1 Alexis Sanchez equalized for Arsenal minutes later with a superb control and finish inside the box.
56′ 2 – 1 Hal Robson-Kanu
75′ 3 – 1 Craig Dawson
Mesut Ozil was criticsed heavily in last week having gone quite in both defeats where Arsenal took the lead but failed to build on that ending up losing both games. There are some rumours of contract renewal of both Ozil and Sanchez and its typical time where Arsenal usually struggle.
Last time these two meet was back on boxing day when Arsenal ran out late winners thanks to 87th minute strike by substitute Olivier Giroud.
Arsenal 1-0 West Brom – 26 December 2016
[ English Premier League 2016-17 Match ]
45′ [ Haltime Report ] Arsenal dominated the game for most part in first half but failed to take the breakthrough.
87′ 1 – 0 Olivier Giroud scored late in second half to secure important three points for Arsenal against West Brom
As far as the team news is concerned, we might see Olivier Giroud back in the starting lineup and Sanchez pushed to left flank. Ozil and Walcott should keep their places in attacking midfield roles while Coquilin and Xhaka to play in central midfield. West Brom on the other hand rely heavily on their talisman Rondon who is set to start upfront but with Mustafi missing from Arsenal back four he can cause all sorts of problems for gunners.
Match Predictions: On paper Arsenal should sail through this fixture with all three points but the form of West Brom combine that with low confident key Arsenal players makes it an exciting game on boxing day. I am going with a narrow Arsenal win in this one.
Great prediction!