By Jemma Tappenden
December 8 2012
5th placed West Bromwich Albion travel to 10th placed Arsenal this afternoon looking to pile extra pressure on to Gunners manager Arsene Wenger. Arsenal have picked up just three wins from their last ten games at the Emirates Stadium, and last months 5-2 thrashing of local rivals Spurs seems a million light years away to Gunners fans who are becoming increasingly frustrated by their sides lack of progress this season.
West Brom gaffer Steve Clarke has no fresh injury problems, with Ben Foster still sidelined. Peter Odemwinge, Chris Brunt and James Morrison were all rested during last weekend's defeat to Stoke City, and are likely to all be recalled this afternoon.
Arsenal on the other hand will be without Theo Walcott (calf) and Lucas Podolski (hamstring), as well as defenders Bacary Sagna and Laurent Koscielny with foot and thigh injuries respectively.
Arsene Wenger's men did the double over West Bromwich Albion last season, but the Midlander's have won at the Emirates Stadium recently, in a thrilling 3-2 victory in September 2010. The two sides have met 12 times in the Premier League, but there has never been a 0-0 draw. In fact the last four meetings between these two sides have produced 17 goals.
West Brom are enjoying their best start to a top flight campaign since the 1980/81 season, although they have lost their last two Premier League games. In comparison Arsenal have their worst points tally under Wenger at this point of a season, with 21 points from 15 games; their worst start since the 1994/95 season. Arsenal have won just one of their last six league games.
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