Arsenal vs West Brom, match preview of the Premier League game at the Emirates on Sunday

 Lowdown on Arsenal's match against West Bromwich Albion, as the gunners play their final premier league game before the FA cup final against Aston villa

When does the match take place?

As with every other final day Premier League kick-off, the game takes place at 3pm on Sunday.

Team news

Disappointingly for Arsenal, Danny Welbeck remains side-lined because of a knee injury and will play no part against West Brom. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mathieu Debuchy have meanwhile returned to training, but both are lacking in match fitness and are very unlikely to feature.
Tony Pulis can meanwhile pick from his full squad, with the exception of long term absentee Ben Foster. The impressive Boaz Myhill, who is set for a new contract at the Hawthorns, will continue in his absence.
Neither team has any suspensions.

Three reasons Arsenal will win

1. Arsenal enjoy playing on the final day of the season. They haven’t lost a final day fixture in nine years now, and they won’t want to see that record brought to an end by a West Brom side ten places below them in the table.
2. Rotation, rotation, rotation. For various reasons, Arsenal have stumbled in their last few outings, and the Gunners are without a win in three. When this usually happens, the Emirates pitchforks are readied as Arsene Wenger is derided as a manager more clueless than the hideous lovechild of Howard Wilkinson and John Carver. But, luckily for him, most fans seem to be focused on the forthcoming FA Cup final. Wenger will likely rotate, and players such as Wilshere, Rosicky and Walcott will all be eager to stake their claim for a starting place.
3. Because Arsenal have already beaten WBA once this season. They did so with a rotated squad, too, and the Gunners were without key players such as Mesut Ozil and Francis Coquelin, who was still on loan at Charlton. Arsenal dominated the game and West Brom did little to suggest they’ll be much of a threat at the Emirates.

   Three reasons West Brom will win

4. Because West Brom are the league’s in form team and the scourge of the Premier League’s top clubs. They are unbeaten in their last five, and held Liverpool to be point, as well as beating both Manchester United and Chelsea. A few weeks ago the Baggies were looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation places, but now they’re targeting twelfth place.
5. They have a mean defence, and are meeting Arsenal at the perfect time. Arsenal have struggled for goals in recent weeks, finding the net only once in their previous three fixtures. Tony Pulis has meanwhile worked his typical defensive magic at WBA, with the club incredibly conceding only one goal in the past 450 minutes of football.
6. It might be the last day of the season for West Brom, but it’s not for Arsenal, and their players might be wary of committing to those 50/50 tackles in the fear of an injury ruling them out of their Wembley day out. West Brom have nothing to lose, and can play without fear.
   

   Arsenal's key player: Alexis Sanchez

   Sanchez frequently cut a frustrated figure in the stalemate against Sunderland. He worked tirelessly- as ever- and was at the heart of every attack, but struggled to reach his swashbuckling best. Arsenal will be desperate for him to rediscover his shooting boots before they play Villa.
   

   West Brom's key player: Saido Berahino

   The obvious choice, but Berainho was outstanding against Chelsea last week. His brace took him to 14 league goals this season, and he’ll be eager to improve on this tally against Arsenal.
   

   One intriguing stat...

   Despite their growing reputation for defensive solidity, West Brom have never managed to keep a clean sheet against Arsenal in the Premier League.
   

   Our prediction: West Brom to win 2-0 (why not?)