Boxing Day Preview: Arsenal vs West Brom

Arsenal head into this game with an unusual knock of confidence after losing their last two games. West Brom have been a surprise package this season sitting comfortable in eighth position.

Normally this game would be a no brainer with a home win expected. However, this is the Premier League after all and no game is easy. West Brom have lost only four of their last ten and have the seventh best away record in the league. While Arsenal have the fifth best home record, they have struggled to keep up with the title race losing crunch away games with Everton and Man City both by the same scoreline, 2-1.

Alexis Sanchez is top scorer for Arsenal with 16 goals.
Alexis Sanchez is top scorer for Arsenal with 16 goals.

The Gunners face pressure once again at this time of the season not to fade away and are in desperate need not to fall further behind Chelsea, who are nine points ahead of Arsene Wenger’s men at the moment. While West Brom have shown they have no reason to be underestimated after a encouraging display against current top of table Chelsea, eventually losing narrowly 1-0.

Tony Pulis is hoping to steer West Brom to their highest ever finish in the league. (101 great goals.co.uk)
Tony Pulis is hoping to steer West Brom to their highest ever finish in the league. (101 great goals.co.uk)

Concerning the team selection, Arsenal have Aaron Ramsey have back from injury, but it may be too soon for him to be risked. The same is likely for Alex Oxlade-Chamberain and Danny Welbeck.

For Tony Pulis’s men, James Morrison is a doubt due to missing training as a result of flu. Jonny Evans is back from a two game absence and could start.

Despite Arsenal hitting a small blip of form at the moment, they have not lost three in a row since January 2012. West Brom will play similar to the style they did at Chelsea and aim to frustrate the Gunners.

Prediction: Arsenal Win 2-0

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