Arsenal will be looking to arrest their alarming slide when they travel to the Hawthorns to square off with West Bromwich Albion in the second round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
The Gunners have lost four successive games dating back to pre-season. They head into Wednesday’s clash on the back of twin 2-0 defeats in the Premier League.
Losses to Brentford and Chelsea without scoring a goal means Mikel Arteta’s side have endured their worst start to a Premier League season in 118 years.
The Spaniard will be well aware of the fact that only a comprehensive victory against West Brom will ease the pressure mounting on him.
But Arsenal will have their task cut out. West Brom are in red-hot form, having registered three successive victories to move up to second in the second-tier Championship.
A Hawthorns win against @Arsenal 🔙 in 2017 💪 pic.twitter.com/coUzqaeebr
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 24, 2021
Valérien Ismaël’s side have played free-flowing attacking football and will relish the prospect of facing an Arsenal team in turmoil.
West Brom vs Arsenal – Team News
West Brom
West Brom will likely be without defender Matt Clarke due to a hamstring injury. Semi Ajayi should deputise for Clarke, while Grady Diangana could return to the side at right-wing in place of Matt Phillips.
Cedric Kipre could replace Dara O’Shea in defence.
Arsenal
Martin Odegaard is line to make his second Arsenal debut after receiving full clearance to play. Alexandre Lacazette, who missed the two Premier League games due to COVID-19, is also available. Aaron Ramsdale could also make his Arsenal debut, replacing Bernd Leno in goal.
Ben White, who contracted the virus ahead of the game against Chelsea, will sit out this clash, as will Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah, and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli, who picked up minor injuries against Chelsea, are available for selection, although both might be rested for the Premier League trip to Manchester City. Hector Bellerin will undergo a late fitness test.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Bukayo Saka likely to be rested, Reiss Nelson and Folarin Balogun are in contention to start.
West Brom vs Arsenal – Predicted Lineups
West Bromwich predicted lineup (3-4-3): Button; Kipre, Ajayi, Bartley; Furlong, Mowatt, Livermore, Townsend; Robinson, Grant, Diangana
Arsenal possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Soares, Chambers, Holding, Tavares; Xhaka, Elneny; Nelson, Odegaard, Pepe; Balogun
West Brom vs Arsenal – Key Players
West Brom – Callum Robinson
Robinson has already netted thrice this season and will fancy his chances of adding to that tally against Arsenal. Robinson will look to trouble the Arsenal defenders with his pace and clever movement.
Arsenal – Martin Odegaard
The Norwegian will hope to mark his return to Arsenal in style. Odegaard is sublime on the ball and his passing and dribbling abilities can cause plenty of problems for the West Brom backline.
Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Arsenal