Back-to-back wins have relieved some of the pressure on the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and banished, at least for now, talk of fighting the unthinkable scenario of relegation from the top flight. Albion, meanwhile, are five points from safety and have the worst goal difference in the division so will have no doubts that they are involved in the struggle to avoid demotion to the Championship. Sam Allardyce’s first three games have seen a highly creditable point at Liverpool sandwiched by home humiliations at the hands of Aston Villa and Leeds. If the hosts can take anything from this match it will offer encouragement before the January transfer window opens and Allardyce can indulge in some much needed strengthening of the squad. Rich Flower
Saturday 8pm Sky Sports Premier League
Venue The Hawthorns
Last season n/a
Referee Martin Atkinson
This season G12 Y25 R2 2.42 cards/game
Odds H 5-1 A 4-7 D 3-1
West Bromwich Albion
Subs from Bond, Button, Robson-Kanu, Bartley, Phillips, Grosicki, Austin, Harper, Krovinovic, Ivanovic, Edwards, Kipré, Field
Doubtful Bartley (calf), Robson-Kanu (wrist)
Injured Townsend (knee, 9 Jan), Gibbs (thigh, unknown)
Suspended Livermore (second of three)
Discipline Y21 R3
Form LLDLDL
Leading scorers Gallagher, Robinson 2
Arsenal
Subs from Macey, Rúnarsson, Saliba, Papastathopoulos, Ceballos, Özil, Willian, Maitland-Niles, Soares, Pépé, Mustafi, Chambers, David Luiz, Nelson, Willock, Nketiah, Kolasinac, Martinelli
Doubtful Nelson (knock)
Injured Gabriel (illness, 9 Jan), Partey (thigh, 9 Jan)
Suspended None
Discipline Y24 R3
Form LLDLWW
Leading scorer Lacazette 5
.jpg?w=600)
