Dortmund Win To Inspire Arsenal Against West Brom

Their mid-week win against Dortmund gives Arsenal fans hope that they will be able to turn around their league form away at West Bromwich Albion in Saturday`s early kick-off (29th November, 12:45).

Arsene Wenger`s Gunners came under scrutiny after the side eventually lost 2-1 to a Manchester United they dominated all over the pitch. The tie followed the Emirates Stadium outfit`s loss away at Swansea City from which the title hopefuls were hoping to bounce back against United, though to no avail. The North London club failed to capitalise on a one goal lead and eventually dropped all points as the Swans bagged two goals.

Olivier Giroud hit the back of the net in injury time to half the deficit at home to United whilst Alexis Sanchez was on target in putting his side 1-0 to the good against Gary Monk`s men.

Sanchez scored the second as the Gunners invited Bundesliga runners-up Dortmund to the Emirates, sealing their passage through to the Champions League knockout stages with a 2-0 win. Promising youngster Yaya Sanogo scored his first professional goal for Arsenal in the second minute to break the deadlock.

Alan Irvine`s Albion have recorded back-to-back league defeats, failing to hit the back of the net in either encounter against Chelsea and Newcastle respectively. Both matches ended 2-0 with the Newcastle defeat only their second home loss in the Premier League this season.

The successive disappointments also belies the fact that the Baggies were on a good run of form. Irvine`s side picked up all three points in their away clash at Leicester City at the start of the month thanks to an Esteban Cambiasso own goal. This result followed consecutive 2-2 draws at home to both Manchester United and Crystal Palace.

Stephane Sessegnon and Saido Berahino put the Hawthorns outfit ahead twice against Manchester United before equalisers from Marouane Fellaini and Daley Blind.

The West Midlands side had to come from 2-0 down against Palace. Brede Hangeland headed home and Mile Jedinak scored from the spot to put the London club 2-0 up at half time before Victor Anichebe halved the deficit and Berahino rescued a point for the Baggies in injury time.

Having not scored in their last couple of fixtures, it is unlikely that the Black Country club are going to be able to outscore an Arsenal team who have bagged at least two goals in six of their last eight games in all competitions. As a result, Arsenal are 10/11 with Coral to score over 1.5 goals and are 3/1 (Coral, Spreadex) to hit 2.5 goals past Ben Foster.

Hope springs eternal for the Baggies, however, as the North London side will be without two of their key playmakers for a number of months.

England international Jack Wilshere will be sidelined for three months after undergoing surgery on his ankle. The 22-year-old midfielder sustained the cruciate ligament injury during the club`s humiliation against their Manchester rivals.

Mikel Arteta also faces a lengthy absence after pulling up with a calf concern in the Gunners` game against Dortmund mid-week. Boss Wenger has told press that the Spaniard will be out `for a while`. Wojech Szczesny is set to return despite sustaining a head injury against United.

Despite these set-backs, the visitors are the 10/11 (bet365, betfred, Matchbook, Totesport) favourites for their clash against 13th placed West Brom. william hill are offering 18/5 on Albion inflicting a third defeat in a row on Arsenal whilst a draw is available at 14/5 with paddy Power.

Irvine will be unable to select Jonas Olsson, the Swede out with for over a month having to undergo Achilles surgery. Claudio Yacob will also miss the game after seeing red against Chelsea last time out.

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27/11/2014     © Frixo 2024