Arsenal v West Brom: Arsenal look to maintain Champions League spot

Arsenal face West Brom on Thursday night knowing a win will cement their advantage over Manchester United in fifth.

Arsenal drew their last match against Crystal Palace 1-1, a result which Arsene Wenger labelled 'disappointing' and will want his side to bounce back with a win against Tony Pulis' side.

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West Brom suffered a 1-0 defeat to Watford last Saturday with Saido Berahino missing two penalties. The result means their winless run currently stands at four matches, but the west Midlands club look to be safe from relegation having secured 40 points.

Tony Pulis has lost all seven visits to the Emirates Stadium in his managerial career, a record he will wish to rectify on Thursday. Meanwhile Arsenal are just one win away from 500 Premier League victories.

Team news

Jack Wilshere is expected to miss out on Thursday night.

The midfielder is fit after recovering from a broken fibula but manager Arsene Wenger is not likely to risk the 24-year-old when the Baggies visit the Emirates Stadium.

Santi Cazorla (Achilles) and Tomas Rosicky (thigh) are also back in training but will not feature, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) is out.

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West Brom boss Tony Pulis has a few knocks and niggles to contend with ahead of Thursday night's trip to Arsenal. Pulis is not prepared to risk players who might then be struggling for Monday's clash with title challengers Tottenham.

Alex Pritchard could make his return from an ankle problem, but James Morrison (hamstring) is not yet available.

Opta stats

West Brom beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Hawthorns earlier this season, despite only having one shot on target.

Only one of the 13 Premier League meetings between Arsene Wenger's Arsenal and a side managed by Tony Pulis has ever ended as an away win. Pulis has lost all seven visits to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners had been unbeaten in nine Premier League games against the Baggies before their defeat at the Hawthorns back in November (W7 D2).

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West Brom have won just one of their last 11 Premier League away games (W1 D5 L5).

West Brom have averaged lower than a goal a game under Tony Pulis in the Premier League (0.98 - 50 goals in 51 games). However, the Baggies have kept a clean sheet in 21 of Tony Pulis' 51 Premier League games in charge of the club (41% of matches).

Saido Berahino has scored just four goals in 28 Premier League appearances this season, after netting 14 in 2014-15.

The Gunners are currently on 499 Premier League victories - only Manchester United (583) have won more in the competition.

Charlie's prediction

I've actually got to the stage, and I have been for four and five weeks, where I'm not comfortable watching my team. I'm not at the edge of my seat. It's so predictable and it's always Mesut Ozil that has to create.

People criticise him because he's not quick and dynamic but that's not his job. Danny Welbeck's movement is good but his touch and his finishing is poor and Alexis Sanchez still isn't doing enough.

West Brom may be safe but Tony Pulis won't do Arsenal any favours. The Emirates isn't a difficult place to go any more, because you know you can sit in and you'll get chances.

Arsenal are in a really dangerous situation, with United potentially just a point behind by this stage. I'll start on the edge of my seat and end the game hiding behind it, with another seriously uncomfortable night, and I think it could be Mohamed Elneny - one of the few impressive players - to save Arsenal.

Charlie predicts: 1-0 and Elneny to score first - 80/1 with Sky Bet

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Betting

Arsenal are 1/4 with Sky Bet to beat 11/1 shots West Brom on Thursday night, with the draw priced at 3/1. The Gunners' slim title hopes were all but ended when they were held by Crystal Palace on Sunday and are now 80/1 outsiders to overtake Leicester and Spurs.

West Brom are winless in their last four but can be backed at 11/4 to win or draw against the inconsistent Gunners in the Double Chance market. Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud are both 11/4 shots to score first with Salomon Rondon and Saido Berahino as big as 11/1 to break the deadlock. See all the match odds, Price Boosts and pundits here.

Watch Arsenal v West Brom on Thursday night from 7pm on Sky Sports 1 HD, or watch live for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.