Many Arsenal supporters would have feared the worst ahead of their side's trip to Stamford Bridge to take on champions Chelsea last weekend, but Arsene Wenger's men turned in a dogged and resolute performance to earn a deserved point. Sunday’s 0-0 draw showcased a number of qualities which many believed Arsenal did not possess, with the team set up in an organised, disciplined and coherent fashion as they negated Chelsea’s strengths as well as focusing on their own. It was a fine performance from the Gunners and the type which has been conspicuously lacking in recent years, although it is still too early to definitively assert that the north Londoners have turned a corner. Nevertheless, last weekend’s goalless stalemate at the Bridge – which was preceded by a convincing 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium – represents an excellent response to last month’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
West Brom have made a solid, if unspectacular, start to the 2017/18 campaign, having won two, drawn two and lost one of their five Premier League encounters so far. The Baggies’ performance in their most recent outing, a goalless draw with West Ham United last weekend, was a little disappointing, but Tony Pulis’ team – as is typical of sides managed by the Welshman – are nothing if not difficult to play against. Arsenal will experience that in the Monday night fixture, although it is worth pointing out that Pulis does not have the best record when facing the Gunners at their home stadium. The West Midlanders will certainly have to perform close to their maximum level if they are to pull off a shock at the Emirates.
Arsenal will have to make do without Danny Welbeck (groin), Francis Coquelin (hamstring) and Santi Cazorla (plantaris), but Mesut Ozil could return to the fold after recovering from a minor knee injury. Wenger will stick with his now familiar 3-4-2-1 formation whether or not the Germany international is fit to start; if Ozil does not play he will probably be replaced by Alex Iwobi, who fulfilled his defensive duties diligently against Chelsea and possesses plenty of qualities going forward. Summer signing Alexandre Lacazette will lead the line at the top of the pitch, with Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka set to resume their partnership in the centre of the park.
West Brom, meanwhile, may be unable to call upon the services of Nacer Chadli (thigh) and Oliver Burke (hamstring) for their trip to the capital, although both wide men are rated as doubts rather than certain absentees. Pulis will probably line his side up in a 4-5-1 formation, with an emphasis on ceding possession, sitting deep and denying Arsenal space in the final third. That, needless to say, is easier said than done, and the Baggies will rely on the likes of Matt Phillips and Jay Rodriguez to lead their counter-attacking efforts when control of the ball changes hands. West Brom pose a major threat at set-pieces and will look to make the most of any dead-ball situations, although to win corners and free-kicks they will first need to push a few men forward in attack.
It is difficult to look past an Arsenal victory on Monday night; Wenger’s charges should have too much quality across the pitch for their opponents, who will look to dig in and frustrate but may struggle to cause the hosts problems at the other end of the field. An Arsenal win to nil therefore looks like a sensible selection, while Sanchez to find the back of the net anytime is another bet worth considering.
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