please log in to view this image Barclays Premier League 5th Nov 2011 KO: 15:00 Ground: Emirates Stadium please log in to view this image Its 7th vs. 13th in this premier league clash at the Emirates. The game sees an inform Arsenal take on an indifferent West Brom side who are looking to bounce back after a poor performance against Liverpool at home. Arsenal on the other hand will be looking to carry on their great form which has seen them win 7 out of 9 games. Arsenal will also be looking to win four league games in a row, a feat they could not achieve last season. West Brom came to the Emirates last season and went away with a shock away win. But thankfully for Arsenal, Alumina will not be in goal. West Brom will be looking to Chris Brunt to create with that deadly left foot. A very dangerous player and he caused Arsenal all sorts of problems last season in the two league games. Hodgson’s men won their last away game at Aston Villa. A great win for them in a local derby. But from that game, they have lost both Shane Long and Paul Scharner. Arsenal will look to their main man and the premier league’s top scorer for that cutting edge which they did miss in their champions league game against Olympic Marseille. The link up between Gervinho and Van Persie has been getting better by each game and they will be the main creative forces for Arsenal. Thomas Vermaelen will also be looking for his first start in the league since his injury. Team News: Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will return to the starting line-up after beginning on the bench in midweek. Laurent Koscielny may also reclaim his place after being rested against Marseille, but Kieran Gibbs and Marouane Chamakh remain sidelined. West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie is a doubt after hurting his knee in training this week. Paul Scharner suffered knee ligament damage against Liverpool last Saturday and is ruled out. Shane Long also misses the game. Form: Arsenal: LWLWWW West Brom: LDDWWL Three Key Match Ups: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Overall Record: Played: 130 Wins: 63 Draws: 31 Losses: 36 For: 229 Against: 170 Goal Difference: 59 Last 6 Meetings: West Brom 2-2 Arsenal Arsenal 2 - 3 West Brom Arsenal 2 - 0 West Brom (Carling Cup) West Brom 1 - 3 Arsenal Arsenal 1 - 0 West Brom West Brom 0 - 2 Arsenal (Carling Cup) please log in to view this image Arsene Wenger on the defence: Roy Hodgson on Arsenal: My Team: please log in to view this image
The joys of a 3 o-clock kick off.Instead of going by bus at 4-30am like last Saturday i can get the train to Euston at 08-47 Nice artwork again Super Jack
I'm not known for my optimism usually so you shouldn't be surprised that I'm worried about this game. Last year I watched W Brom outplay us at home, and I do mean outplay us, they outpassed us and hurried us on teh ball, they looked a very good team in this fixture (I confess to leaving at 3-1 with 10 mins left). I see plenty of goals and I'm just hoping we get the lions share of them, so for that I'll say a 4-3 win, but I am worried........
So you would go for Rosicky over Arteta? Controversial but you may have something there. Tomas seems to be much more dynamic and accurate with his passing than we've seen for a long time. He looked lively when he came on against Chelsea last week. Arteta is more of a grafter though, I'm inclined to start with Arteta and maybe bring on Rosicky if we need something extra going forward in the second half.
They did. But look at the team we had out on that day. Alumina,Squillacii,Eboue and Diaby all in the same team.
Arteta has played a lot of games, so I would rest him for this one. Also I am going for a team that is going to attack. But Wenger will probaly not play Rosicky and Ramsey in the same midfield.
Good to see Vermaelen and Koscielny in at CB. I like Mertesacker, but I think these two are a stronger pairing. Also Kos is bang on form, so he deserves a starting place. I reckon Jenkinson and Santos are getting better with each game. Be great to see us keep a clean sheet. I said it right after the OT debacle - If we can start to sure up at the back, I think we've got a good chance at challenging this season.
With a fully fit array of wing backs who would you go with? Personally, I'd go with Sagna and Santos. Santos has been criticized for neglecting his defensive duties but I think that will improve with games. He offers a lot more than Gibbs going forward and he is also an imposing presence and personality in the team.
I'd go with that too. I think Santos is a better player than gibbs, although his fitness is a bit short at the moment and he does give the ball away unnecessarily. That said, he defends his own mistakes really well, so if he can iron out those problems and get another yard of pace (less pies = more pace) then I think he and Sagna can establish themselves as the No1 fullback pairing. I think our defence will gradually get better and better this season.
Also, we shouldn't rule out the possibility (when fit) of Sagna-----Mertesacker-------Koscielny-------Vermalaen That seems like an incredibly strong back four although losing TV in the middle would be a shame.
Great thread again jacko, I would go with kos at rb and meet in the middle, with tv obviously, I'd also go with arteta over rosicky just to start, and obvious front 3. I think Gibbs is better than santos, but is too damn injury prone, I think that zero gravity treadmill in the new facility place will help him alot with his ankle!
Probaly. And if he does I think Walcott especially will be stuggle. Theo has been pretty bad in most of the games at home. West Brom will sit deep and not allow him any space. He will probaly keep them on their toes with his pace but will not do much else. (Cue Walcott scoring 3 goals and ripping WBA to shreds).
