West Brom vs. Arsenal Preview

Third placed Arsenal can secure their position in next season’s Champions League with a win against West Brom at the Hawthorns on Sunday May 13.

Indeed, a point could technically be enough for Arsenal on the final day of the domestic campaign however the Gunners will be adamant on finishing third as England’s fourth placed qualifier will be scrapped if Chelsea win this year’s competition.

Arsenal could have already been home and dry last time out against Norwich City however a sloppy display lead to a rather disappointing 3-3 draw which was marred further by a leg break to full back Bacary Sagna.

And Arsene Wenger’s men may be a little too short at around 8/11 to bounce back and finish the campaign on a winning note.

West Brom stand in Arsenal’s way and the Baggies will be looking to put on a show for boss Roy Hodgson who will leave the club to take charge of England after the final whistle.

Hodgson has done a remarkable job at the Hawthorns and his side can guarantee a top half finish with a point, however they will hold onto tenth spot regardless if Stoke City fail to beat Bolton Wanderers.

That would represent a fine achievement for the club which has one of the smallest operating budgets in the top flight.

Nevertheless, it is West Brom’s useful away form which has been the main feature of their success as their overall form at home has been average at best.

WBA have suffered nine defeats in total at the Hawthorns but there have been increasing signs of improvement in recent weeks.

Despite that record, Hodgson’s men have only conceded nineteen times this term on their own turf and they do have a fairly solid and strong back four.

Arsenal may have netted three times against Norwich but they have at times failed to fire away from home and the threat of Robin Van Persie may not be enough to prevent West Brom ending the season and their relationship with Hodgson positively.

On paper, the Baggies themselves perhaps lack the necessary quality to turn Arsenal over but their physicality and battling qualities should contribute towards a hard fought ninety minutes of football which could be rather thin in terms of clear scoring opportunities.

Arsenal breezed past a lacklustre Baggies outfit 3-0 at the Emirates earlier in the campaign but that was well before Hodgson began to work his magic and the pattern and flow of the game should be very different here.

A tough assignment can be anticipated for Arsenal and it definitely seems logical to take them on at the odds available.

The 9/2 about a West Brom victory doesn’t quite inspire however the 10/3 for a draw certainly does and for a change it seems advisable to back a stalemate.

Anything upwards of 3/1 for the points to be shared would represent a decent bet and considering the Gunners average record on the road and it may also pay to be adventurous and wager a 0-0 affair at around 10/1.

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08/05/2012     © Frixo 2026