WBA vs Arsenal: Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

The final game of the season is upon us and it promises to be a nerve-racking 90 minutes for Gooners as Arsenal take on West Brom this Sunday.

West Brom away isn’t the ideal fixture when your desperate for three points, but add the fact that it’s Roy Hodgson’s final game in charge before he takes up his role as England manager, it makes the task that much harder.

Hodgson is on course to sign off in style by guiding West Brom to an impressive top 10 finish, and the Baggies are ending the season well, losing just one of their last five games.

But it’s Arsenal i care about and a win will secure third place, which will guarantee Champions League football at the Emirates once again next season.

The 3-3 draw last weekend was a farce, but we got away with it as both Tottenham and Newcastle dropped points the following day leaving destiny in our own hands. Tottenham are just one point behind and face Fulham at home, a very winnable fixture, so we can’t afford any slip ups at the Hawthorns.

A nightmare scenario would be we drop points and Spurs finish above us leaving us in fourth and cheering on Bayern Munich next week, but lets not forget a loss combined with a Newcastle win away at Everton would leave us fifth and playing Europa League football for the first time in 14 years.

So let’s not f**k this one up. Go out on Sunday, put in a professional performance and take care of business, and we don’t have to worry about other results.

Team news

The good news is that WBA will be without their captain Chris Brunt after he had his tonsils removed this week. Paul Scharner is in line to make his final appearance for the club, as he’s expected to leave on a free transfer this summer.

Top scorer Peter Odemwingie is also a doubt for the game with a leg injury and former Gunner Jerome Thomas is also struggling with illness.

Arsenal could welcome back Theo Walcott, who will face a fitness test on his hamstring injury ahead of the game. It would be a major boost to get Theo back, so let’s hope he makes the starting line-up come Sunday. If he misses out, i’d like to see Chamberlain given a chance on the right. He was excellent when he came on against Norwich last week.

The bad news is that Bacary Sagna will miss the game after undergoing surgery on a broken fibula last night and is set for several months on the sidelines. This is a huge blow as Sagna has been one of the most consistent performers in recent months.

It’s likely that Francis Coquelin will come in at right back. I like the lad and hope he does the business this weekend, although i don’t think full back is his best position.

Arsene Wenger also confirmed there are doubts over Park, Squillaci and Santos but all three are likely to be available. Abou Diaby joins Per Mertesacker, Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere on the sidelines, meaning we have very few central midfield options. Aaron Ramsey is really struggling but it looks like he will have to start again on Sunday.

Likely line-ups

Predicted Score

West Brom’s home record is pretty disappointing, having lost 9 of their 18 games so far this season at the Hawthornes, but it’s the fact it’s Roy’s last game that’s got me nervous. The players are likely to be bang up for this one wanting to give Hodgson a good send off. But i just can’t contemplate The Arsenal losing this one, so i have to predict an away win. WBA 1-3 Arsenal. COYG!

What are your thoughts on the game? Leave your opinions in the comments section.