2020-21 Premier League: Week 17 – West Brom vs Arsenal

Relegation battling West Bromwich Albion welcome Arsenal to The Hawthorns in the first Saturday Night Football of 2021. 

Victory would see the Baggies move closer towards safety but their goal difference will keep them second-bottom regardless of what happens here, whereas Arsenal could leapfrog Wolves with a win if the latter lose at Brighton at teatime.

 

Team News

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Kieran Gibbs is a doubt for West Brom after withdrawing from Tuesday’s defeat to Leeds with a thigh strain during pre-match warm-up.

Kyle Bartley (calf) plus Hal Robson-Kanu (wrist) are however in contention to feature but Conor Townsend (knee) and Jake Livermore (suspension) remain absent.

Arsenal will have Bukayo Saka available for selection despite the youngster suffering a leg injury during Tuesday’s win at Brighton.

David Luiz and Willian are back in contention after recovering from illness but Gabriel (Coronavirus) and Thomas Partey (thigh) are still absent.

 

Stat Attack

• West Brom have taken four points from their last five meetings against Arsenal (W1, D1, L3).
• Arsenal have won just one of their last five trips to The Hawthorns (W1, D2, L2).
• Four of last five meetings between West Brom and Arsenal at The Hawthorns saw both teams score with exception of a 1-0 win for the Gunners in November 2014.
• No Arsenal player has been caught offside on more occasions this season than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been offside on 11 occasions in 14 league appearances.
• West Brom have conceded a league-high 35 goals in their 16 league games this season.

 

Prediction

After a shambolic defensive display on Tuesday against Leeds despite showing decent energy when attacking, I hope we see more spirit from West Brom here which was evident in their draw at Liverpool last weekend.

Arsenal meanwhile were sloppy in their win over Brighton on Tuesday with poor defending and a lack of finishing with exception of Alexandre Lacazette’s winner, so I expect to see improvement here if they want to push for a win.

West Brom though have the most improvement to make so if Arsenal can produce an attacking performance like they did on Boxing Day, I can see just one result coming here.

Prediction: WBA 0-3 Arsenal