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发表于 2010-9-24 22:40:43
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Arsenal v West Brom preview
Baggies face daunting task at Emirates
By James Riach Last updated: 24th September 2010
Arsenal will be expected to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they host West Brom on Saturday.
The Gunners were denied by a last-gasp Darren Bent strike at the Stadium of Light last weekend, as Sunderland clinched a late point much to the frustration of manager Arsene Wenger.
As the clock ticked down on Wearside it seemed inevitable that Arsenal's defence would be breached, despite an admirable performance after being reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Alex Song.
When the goal came in the fifth minute of injury time the myopic Wenger could not control his rage and has since served a one-match touchline ban for using insulting and/or abusive language and behaviour.
The Frenchman, who will no doubt have been pleased with the news that the club recorded pre-tax profits of ￡56million for the year ending May 2010, was in the stands for his side's convincing 4-1 victory over North London rivals Tottenham in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.
He will return to the dugout against the Baggies and if the Gunners' recent form at the Emirates is anything to go by, West Brom could be in for a difficult afternoon.
Arsenal have scored 10 goals in their last two games at home, a 4-1 triumph over Bolton in the league followed up by an impressive 6-0 demolition of Portuguese outfit Braga in the UEFA Champions League.
Team news
However, they will be without captain and integral playmaker Cesc Fabregas for the visit of Roberto Di Matteo's men.
World Cup winning midfielder Fabregas looked as if he had returned to his majestic best after a difficult summer of intense transfer speculation, but following his bizarre goal against Sunderland last weekend, he will be out for two to three weeks with a hamstring injury and has targeted the clash with Chelsea in October for his comeback.
Without the Spaniard pulling the strings in the centre of the park, Arsenal will be hoping youngster Jack Wilshere can continue his impressive form in the skipper's absence.
Wenger also has to do without the likes of Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie, who are both missing with ankle problems.
Emmanuel Frimpong and Aaron Ramsey are long-term absentees, while Nicklas Bendtner is still out with a groin problem.
Keiran Gibbs injured his foot in the midweek win at White Hart Lane and it initially looked like a broken metatarsal, but while he will miss this weekend's clash, there was only bruising and he could return sooner than expected.
Thomas Vermaelen is still out with an Achilles injury sustained while on international duty with Belgium, so Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci could line up in central defence.
Arsenal will hand fitness tests to midfielders Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky (both ankle) as well as utility man Emmanuel Eboue (knee).
West Brom have responded from their opening day drubbing at Chelsea and if the Gunners turn their focus too early towards Tuesday's Champions League tie with Partizan Belgrade, the Baggies could come away with something.
If the Hawthorns outfit can stem the tide early on then they have the players in attack who can potentially break through the Arsenal backline.
Ishmael Miller and Marek Cech are still sidelined for West Brom, while defender Gabriel Tamas and winger Jerome Thomas are doubts.
Tamas is struggling to overcome a calf problem and, if he is ruled out, is likely to be replaced by Pablo Ibanez. Ibanez's only previous league start was in the 6-0 defeat at Chelsea.
Thomas is suffering from a groin injury and Cameroon international Somen Tchoyi is on standby.
Possible starting XIs:
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Nasri, Rosicky, Arshavin, Chamakh.
West Brom: Carson, Shorey, Scharner, Jara, Olsson, Tamas, Thomas, Mulumbu, Brunt, Fortune, Odemwingie.
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Skysports.com prediction: Arsenal 3 West Brom 1
SKYBET odds: Arsenal 1/5, Draw 5/1, West Brom 14/1
One to watch: Marouane Chamakh
MATCH FACTS
Arsenal have kept seven clean sheets and conceded just two goals in their last nine Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium, winning eight and losing none of those matches
The Gunners have only failed to score in one of their last 18 Premier League matches
Arsenal have won 39 corners to date, the most in the Premier League this season |
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