West Bromwich Albion have started their new season in the Premier League on a mixed note, having won two, lost two and drawn one of their matches so far. They are now looking to get some positive results in their next few matches, starting with their next match, in which they take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Baggies have a number of injury concerns going into the match, with midfielders Nacer Chadli and Oliver Burke needing to go through fitness tests to prove that they are eligible to be on the team sheet. Former Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs might be starting for his new side, while another midfielder Jake Livermore has been given time off by the club gaffer Tony Pulis.
Defence
The Baggies can boast of a very well organised defensive unit and can fend off the attack from any top class side in the Premier League. Their back four consisting of the likes of Craig Dawson, Ahmed Hegazi, Jonny Evans and Kieran Gibbs will look to keep the Arsenal attackers in check and not let the ball get into the back of the net on their watch. The England international Ben Foster will be starting underneath the sticks for his side once again.
Midfield
With no Jake Livermore in the starting eleven, the onus will be on Matt Philips, James Morrison and Chris Brunt to marshal the midfield and help the attackers with a constant delivery of balls into the opposition box so that they can score goals. Summer signings Grzegorz Krychowiak and Gareth Barry will be expected to start in the central midfield, looking to prove their worth as the best in the business and cause problems for the opponents, hurling tackles to dispossess them off the ball.
Attack
The onus of the attack will be on another new signing Jay Rodriguez as he will look to make full use of the opportunities that fall to him and get some much-desired points in his team’s kitty in the next match against one of the big name clubs in Premier League in the form of Arsenal. The ex-Southampton striker, who had a long injury layoff last season, has started in all the five matches so far for the Baggies and will look to add to his tally of just one goal so far this season.
Predicted lineup
Foster, Dawson, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs, Krychowiak, Barry, Philips, Morrison, Brunt, Rodriguez.
