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The Gunners will be inclined to move on from their Europa League semi-final heartbreak and focus back on the Premier League when they welcome Sam Allardyce’s West Brom at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Heading to the 35th matchday, both these teams have had their fair share of upsetting results with Arsenal’s dire performance at home saw them lose seven games in the league this term, whereas a relegation-threatened West Brom picked up only two wins while on the road thus far.
Arsenal are in grave danger of missing out European football for the first time in 25 years. Mikel Arteta’s dream of salvaging something out of an otherwise unsatisfying season was put to bed when his predecessor Unai Emery and his Villarreal played out a goalless draw at the Emirates to set up a final against Manchester United in the Europa League.
Following the elimination, the Spanish coach reiterated that he is still the right man to take the club forward, although, with the club currently sitting ninth in the Premier League, seven points behind bitter-rivals Spurs, who occupy the final Europa League qualification spot at sixth; Arteta is under serious pressure to deliver on a regular basis.
However, Arsenal still have one last opportunity to qualify for continental football next term – only if they manage to finish seventh, which would give them an automatic spot in UEFA’s inaugural Europa Conference League. But in order to climb up the ladder, Arsenal need to win all their remaining games and depend on other results to go their way; a tall order as Arteta’s men are five points behind seventh-placed Liverpool, who have an extra game in hand.
Guests West Brom on the other end of the table need all three points on Sunday to avoid a prompt return to the Championship. The Baggies arrive at the British capital without a single victory in their last three league matches and could only rescue a 1-1 against Wolves last Monday thanks to Mbaye Diagne’s equalizer in the second half. Interestingly, Sam Allardyce has never been relegated from the Premier League as a manager, but despite taking charge in December, the 66-year-old couldn’t steer West Brom out of danger – with the club still 11 points adrift from safety. Therefore, the motivation to survive the relegation should encourage the Baggies to exact revenge on the Gunners, who brushed them off 4-0 at the Hawthorns in January.
Key Players
Kieran Tierney: The Scottish left-back has been one of Arsenal’s most influential players this season even. Tierney versatility allows Mikel Arteta to play him as a left-back in a back four or as a left centre-back in a back three. The former Celtic man averages 2.1 clearances and 0.6 interceptions per 90 while notching up two goals and four assists across 34 appearances in all competitions. The 23-year-old has also been hailed as a leader in the dressing room for his resolute personality. The Gunners faithful should cherish their new leader for years to come.
Bukayo Saka: Touted as a revelation amidst Arsenal’s darkest era in recent history, Saka’s stellar growth in the past two seasons has been a breath of fresh air for the club’s followers. Initially used in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup by Unai Emery, the youngster rose to fame last season with some thrilling performances on the wings. Saka has featured 42 times in all competitions this campaign, contributing seven goals and nine assists up till now. The teenager clocks up 2.1 shots on goal and 1.5 dribbles per game with 1.4 key passes, the highest among his teammates his outrageous flair while getting past the defenders has caught the world’s attention much quicker than expected.
Matheus Pereira is the Baggies top scorer and the highest provider of assists this term with a tally of 10 and 5 respectively in 31 overall appearances. The Brazilian’s pace and composure has been vital for West Brom all season, and the addition of poacher Diagne has seen an upturn in his form. Pereira’s stats are far superior to his teammates, recording 1.7 shots per 90 and 1.8 key passes in the same period of time. Should Allardyce’s men return to the Championship in a few weeks, the 25-year-old may search for a better employer, preferably in the Premier League.
Sam Johnstone: The Englishman came through the ranks of the United academy but never reached the demanded senior-level performance for the Red Devils. Since his arrival in 2018, Johnstone has gone from strength to strength and has been in magnificent form for the Midlands side this season. Even though he conceded a staggering 65 goals in 34 games in the Premier League this term, Johnstone has, in contrast, made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the English top-flight.
Prediction
Arsenal boast a fantastic record against West Brom at home, winning 10 of their last 12 encounters at the Emirates. So, Arteta’s men would surely build on that platform as a win on Sunday would keep their bleak hopes of European qualification football alive, but a defeat may throw them down to the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1994-95. David Luiz and Granit Xhaka remain out of contention through injuries, while Dani Ceballos and Alexandre Lacazette return after missing out on midweek’s fixture.
As for the Baggies, a defeat against Arsenal would confirm their relegation from the Premier League, but all three points at Arsenal’s misery would see them live to fight another day. Robert Snodgrass and Branislav Ivanovic have been ruled out for the Arsenal clash, and Allardyce is expected to field a similar starting eleven with the same back-five used against Wolves.
In the end, given Arsenal’s inconsistent form, a draw is expected on Sunday. However, with everything to play for in this last phase of the tournament, both these sides have the firepower to do the unexpected.
