WTTGT Writer: Vivek Arulnathan
The euphoria surrounding our victory at Stamford Bridge is slowly dying down. While the performance of the team is commendable, it’s no time for the boys to rest on their laurels. They’ll have to buckle down and focus completely on winning when West Brom visit the Emirates this weekend.
Team news:
Arsene Wenger will have a few selection decisions on Saturday. He has to decide on his central defense partnership with Koscielny, Vermaelen and Mertasacker fighting for two places. Jack Wilshire, Diaby, Sagna, Gibbs and Chamakh are all out with injuries while Van Persie will take his place back from Park Chu Young. Ramsey and Walcott looked tired against Marseille and are the likely guys to be rested but with the international break coming up, it is unlikely that Wenger will rotate his squad.
Likely lineup: Szczsney, Jenkinson, Mertasacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Gervinho, Walcott, Van Persie.
This game will be the complete opposite to the open one we got at Chelsea. West Brom will put players behind the ball and defend to frustrate Arsenal. I am sure we’ll wave after wave of Arsenal attacks but the key is to remain patient as I don’t see more than three goals in this match. Gervinho and Walcott will be the key to unlock the West Brom defense while the midfield has to play a key role in pressing the Baggies back and keep possession.
At the other end, Arsenal are likely to play a high defensive line and West Brom will look to take advantage of that on the counter using the pace of Thomas. Odemwingie will look to get behind the defense but any high ball strategy is unlikely to ruffle Mertasacker and Vermaelen as both are very good in the air.
Prediction:
Arsenal will ride the wave of positivity once again and I don’t see West Brom stopping this resurgent team. But they’ll frustrate Arsenal and the Gunners will be foolish to expect another goal glut. But having unlocked teams like Stoke and Sunderland, I think Arsenal will nail this pretty comfortably 2-0.
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