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WEST BROMWICH ALBION v ARSENAL
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 29th November 2014, 12:45pm
The Hawthorns

MATCH NOTES

The game will be the 134th competitive meeting of the two clubs. The Gunners currently have 66 wins to their name compared to the Baggies' 36.

Albion last played a game on November 29 in 2008 when they suffered a 2-1 Premier League defeat away at Wigan Athletic. The Baggies' last win on this date came in 2003 when a Jason Koumas masterclass inspired Gary Megson's men to a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest in a League Division One clash.

Arsenal's last game on this date took place in 2011 when they lost 1-0 at home to Manchester City in the Carling Cup quarter-finals. The Gunners' last win on this date came in 2005 when they beat Reading 3-0 at Highbury, again in the Carling Cup.

Arsenal have scored in each of their previous 21 league and cup games against Albion. The last time the Gunners drew a blank came in a 0-0 draw at The Hawthorns back in November 1985.

Albion go into the game looking for their 50th home win in Premier League action.

If he plays a part in the game, Youssouf Mulumbu will make his 200th appearance for the Baggies.

Albion's last six games: Chelsea (A) 0-2; Newcastle United (H) 0-2; Leicester City (A) 1-0; AFC Bournemouth (A, LC) 1-2; Crystal Palace (H) 2-2; Manchester United (H) 2-2.

Arsenal's last six games: Borussia Dortmund (H, CL) 2-0; Manchester United (H) 1-2; Swansea City (A) 1-2; Anderlecht (H, CL) 3-3; Burnley (H) 3-0; Sunderland (A) 2-0.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

Belgian left-back Sebastien Pocognoli should return after resuming training following his recent hamstring injury whilst Baggies’ boss Alan Irvine is hopeful midfielder James Morrison will shake off a bout of illness in time for the Hawthorns’ clash.

On-loan Porto winger Silvestre Varela could finally make his Premier League bow after Irvine confirmed last weekend that he was now available for selection.

Defender Jonas Olsson remains out with the Swedish international having now had surgery on his troublesome Achilles.

Argentinian midfielder Claudio Yacob starts his three match ban following his sending off at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.

Arsenal

Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Mikel Arteta (calf) will both miss the game having picked up injuries during the last week to add to the Gunners' lengthening injury list.

Mesut Özil, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Mathieu Debuchy, Abou Diaby, Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina have all been unavailable in recent games whilst Yaya Sonogo is a major doubt.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 18/5,  Arsenal Win: 4/5, Draw: 12/5.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Berahino 13/2, Anichebe 17/2, Ideye 9/1, Sessegnon 9/1, Samaras 10/1, Blanco 12/1, Varela 12/1, Gardner 14/1, Dorrans 14/1, Brunt 16/1, Morrison 16/1, Dawson 25/1, Mulumbu 25/1, McAuley 33/1, Lescott 33/1.

Arsenal: Giroud 4/1, Sanchez 9/2, Welbeck 9/2, Sanogo 11/2, Walcott 13/2, Ramsey 15/2, Podolski 15/2, Oxlade-Chamberlain 8/1, Cazorla 10/1, Gnabry 11/1, Rosicky 12/1, Diaby 14/1, Flamini 20/1, Mertesacker 20/1, Chambers 33/1.

No goalscorer: 19/2.

www.williamhill.com

REFEREE

Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Foy officiated three Albion games last season - the 2-0 defeat at Hull City in March, the 3-1 defeat away at Crystal Palace in February and the 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester City in December.

He refereed just one Arsenal game during 2013/14 - the 2-0 win at Crystal Palace in October.

Foy has issued 28 yellow cards and four reds in the nine games he has officiated so far this season.

A full run-down of Foy's history refereeing the Baggies can be found here

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are currently on general sale to home supporters only.

Seats for the game are priced at £39 Adults, £29 seniors (over 60s), £25 Under-21s/Students and £15 Under-17s.

WEATHER FORECAST

Sunny intervals, 9°C.

FIXTURE HISTORY

The very first meeting between the clubs came in friendly action during the 1891/92 season, the game ending 1-1 in front of an estimated 5,000 fans in Plumstead.

The two clubs first met in competitive action during the 1900/01 season, Albion running out 1-0 winners in a FA Cup second round tie at the then Woolwich Arsenal's Manor Ground. Ben Garfield was the scorer of the only goal of the game.

The first league meeting of the two clubs came during the following season, Albion losing the first game at Arsenal 2-1 before winning the return game twelve days later at The Hawthorns by the same scoreline. Chippy Simmons and Billy Lee were the Albion goalscorers.

Albion's biggest win against Arsenal came in October 1922 at The Hawthorns, Tipton-born striker Freddie Morris hitting four goals in a 7-0 victory.

Arsenal's best victory over Albion is 6-2, achieved in September 1970 at Highbury, Ray Kennedy and George Graham both hitting doubles.

The Baggies' last victory over Arsenal came in September 2010 when goals from Peter Odemwingie, Gonzalo Jara and Jerome Thomas guided Roberto Di Matteo's Albion to a famous 3-2 win at the Emirates Stadium.

Albion's last win over Arsenal at The Hawthorns came during the 2005/06 season, Kanu and Darren Carter scoring the goals that earned Bryan Robson's men a 2-1 victory.

Albion have won just four out of the last 39 league and cup meetings between the two sides.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

(Click on a game to view)

Wednesday 25 September 2013 - Albion 1-1 Arsenal (3-4 on penalties) - Capital One Cup 3rd Round - The Hawthorns
Saturday 15 October 2005 - Albion 2-1 Arsenal - Premier League - The Hawthorns
Saturday 15 November 1980 - Arsenal 2-2 Albion - First Division - Highbury
Saturday 24 April 1971 - Albion 2-2 Arsenal - First Division - The Hawthorns
Wednesday 12 February 1969 - Albion 1-0 Arsenal - FA Cup 5th Round - The Hawthorns
Saturday 6 March 1937 - Albion 3-1 Arsenal - FA Cup QF - The Hawthorns

LAST MEETING AT THE HAWTHORNS

Albion 1-1 Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
Sunday 6th October 2013, 4:00pm

Albion: Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Amalfitano (Brunt 89), Sessegnon (Morrison 78), Berahino; Anelka (Long 69). Subs not used: L Daniels (gk), Popov, Lugano, Rosenberg.

Goalscorer: Yacob 42.

Booked: Olsson 54 (foul).

Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Flamini; Wilshere, Ozil, Ramsey (Rosicky 59); Giroud (Bendtner 80). Subs not used: Fabianski (gk), Vermaelen, Monreal, Miyaichi, Gnabry.

Goalscorer: Wilshere 63.

Booked: Flamini 22 (foul), Wilshere 45+2 (foul).

Attendance: 24,839.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Jack Wilshere rescued a point for Arsenal at West Brom to send them level with Liverpool at the Barclays Premier League summit, but a thrilling match might easily have gone either way. The Baggies, fresh from downing Manchester United last weekend, had ample opportunity to extend their lead after Claudio Yacob headed home a Morgan Amalfitano cross in the 42nd minute. But it was Arsenal who ended the game in the hunt for the points after Wilshere, looking to replace reports of late night smoking with more positive headlines, scored with a deflected first-time shot from 20 yards. While he has been criticised for lighting up in midweek, the England midfielder will have been happier with the spark he showed in a strong second half showing. Had Olivier Giroud been anywhere close to his best he would have settled the issue and put Arsenal two points clear by finishing one of two fine chances teed up by Mesut Ozil and Wilshere.

Albion began the match positively, Saido Berahino combining well with Stephane Sessegnon on his full league debut to free Liam Ridgewell on the left and earn an early corner. Arsenal cleared the set-piece well and might have had a good break on their hands had the ball fallen to someone quicker than Giroud. A deflection almost put the hosts ahead just before the quarter hour mark, Berahino's shot changing course via Mathieu Flamini's leg and needing swift reactions from Wojciech Szczesny. West Brom gradually took control of the midfield, Yacob and Youssuf Mulumbu proving an effective double act in the central area. Wilshere was having less joy but came to the fore in 24th minute when he made a neat one-two with Giroud before sending a first-time shot a yard wide. England manager Roy Hodgson's heart would have been in his mouth when Wilshere hit the deck and stayed there soon after, but his problem proved no worse than an accidental poke in the eye from Yacob. West Brom were aggrieved when Sessegnon was blocked as he looked to skip between Mikel Arteta and Kieran Gibbs and nothing was given, though contact did appear to be just outside the penalty area. Aaron Ramsey, so prolific this season, went close when his low shot through a packed box was well saved by Boaz Myhill but West Brom were enjoying much more of the ball. Their pressure paid three minutes from the break.

Amalfitano's initial corner was cleared but when Mulumbu produced a sublime piece of control and fed the ball straight back to him, the Frenchman produced a killer cross. Yacob met it decisively with his head and the Baggies were in front. There was still time before the whistle for Mulumbu to give Wilshere the runaround with another skilful piece of footwork. The second half began explosively, with wonderful chances at both ends inside the first three minutes. The Baggies went first, Berahino galloping forward and making 30 yards before looking for Nicolas Anelka at the far post. The pass seemed perfect but Anelka made a mess of his finish and got the ball trapped between his feet. Moments later Arsenal advanced, with Giroud's lay-off finding Wilshere 10 yards out only for a wayward finish to spare West Brom. The pace barely slowed before Anelka went even closer. Ridgewell took advantage of a yawning gap on Arsenal's right flank to play in the veteran, who moved towards goal and opened his body only to sidefoot wide of the far post. Arsenal had a penalty appeal for handball waved away when a Gibbs cross was blocked by Billy Jones, but the full-back appeared to do everything he could to withdraw his arm.

They were level after 63 minutes, with Wilshere the scorer. Ozil and Giroud were the instigators, with the latter rolling the ball to substitute Tomas Rosicky on the edge of the box. His one-touch pass sat up for Wilshere, who did not hesitate in unleashing a left-footed shot from 20 yards. A deflection off Jonas Olsson turned a decent looking effort into an unstoppable one. Arsenal were buoyed and probably should have taken the lead when a cute chip from Ozil presented Giroud with a delicious chance to volley from 10 yards. He snatched at the shot, though, leaving Ozil to shake his head. Giroud's struggles continued when a rejuvenated Wilshere picked him out with a glorious ball over the top. This time the combination of a heavy first touch and a brave smothering save by Myhill denied him. Jones saw a 25-yarder well saved by Szczesny, but it appeared Arsenal's game to win. Wilshere thought he had a spot-kick when Mulumbu careered into him from behind, but the officials did not agree.

www.sportinglife.com

CURRENT CONNECTIONS

None.

PAST CONNECTIONS

Amongst the players to have turned out at various levels for both clubs are: Kwame Ampadu, Nicolas Anelka, Paul Barron, Vince Bartram, Brendon Batson, Henry Boyd, Kevin Campbell, Joseph Connor, David Cork, Freddie Cox, George Drury, Frank Dyer, Bobby Gould, Adam Haywood, Don Howe, Junichi Inamoto, Nwankwo Kanu, Alan Miller, Jay Simpson, Brian Talbot, Jerome Thomas, Carlos Vela, Steve Walford and Chris Whyte.

Don Howe played for and managed both clubs; Former Arsenal and Albion players Brian Talbot and Bobby Gould were also both managers at The Hawthorns; Albion manager of the 1960s Archie Macaulay played for Arsenal; Gordon Clark, Albion's manager from 1959-61 later became chief scout at Arsenal; Former Albion assistant manager Colin Addison had a spell as a player at Highbury; George Wright was a physio / trainer at both clubs; Baggies' inside-forward of the 1950s Brian Whitehouse coached at both clubs.

ALL-TIME LEAGUE & CUP RECORD VS ARSENAL

 VENUE P W D  L F A
 Home 67 24 17 26 96 92
 Away 65 12 14 39 73 137
 Neutral 1 0 0 1 0 1
 Total 133 36 31 66 169 230

LAST TEN MATCHES AGAINST ARSENAL

DATE COMPETITION H/A F-A GOALSCORERS      GATE
Sun 04 May 2014 Premier League A 0-1 Giroud     60,021
Sun 06 Oct 2013 Premier League H 1-1 Yacob - Wilshere     24,839
Wed 25 Sep 2013 League Cup H 1-1 aet Berahino -  Eisfeld          (Arsenal won 4-3 on pens)     18,649
Sat 06 Apr 2013 Premier League H 1-2 Morrison (pen) - Rosicky 2     26,144
Sat 08 Dec 2012 Premier League A 0-2 Arteta 2 (2 pens)     60,083
Sun 13 May 2012 Premier League H 2-3 Long, Dorrans - Benayoun, Santos, Koscielny     26,358
Sat 05 Nov 2011 Premier League A 0-3 van Persie, Vermaelen, Arteta     60,091
Sat 19 Mar 2011 Premier League H 2-2 Reid, Odemwingie - Arshavin, van Persie     25,729
Sat 25 Sep 2010 Premier League A 3-2 Odemwingie, Jara, Thomas - Nasri 2     60,025
Tue 22 Sep 2009 League Cup A 0-2 Watt, Vela     56,592
 
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