After an up-and-down start to the season that featured more frustration than joy, Arsenal have finally hit a groove and find themselves sitting pretty in first place in the Premier League. Not everything is sunshine and lollipops, however, as the Gunners have to share that honor with Manchester City. Today, though, with a win over West Bromwich Albion, Arsenal have a chance to secure first place all for themselves -- assuming Liverpool do their job and get at least a draw against City, anyways.
Arsenal vs. West Brom 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch EPL online
Arsenal have a chance to slip past Manchester City to take hold of first place all on their own, but must beat a resolute West Brom side to do it.
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For their part, West Brom are just hoping to find some stability in their season. They’re on a two-match losing skid, already their second such skid of the young Premier League season. Even just earning a draw to snap that slide would be huge for the seemingly struggling mental state of the Baggies’ dressing room, but would also give them a big boost to their confidence heading into a brutal stretch of their schedule. If they could somehow win this match -- something not completely out of the realm of possibility given Arsenal’s current injury issues and that Tony Pulis’ tactics are something Arsene Wenger’s team has struggled with at times over the years -- West Brom might even survive that upcoming stretch without ending it in the relegation zone.
Key player -- Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
Giroud is the man that Arsenal seemingly always want to replace, but thanks to injuries and poor form he’s forever being relied upon instead of ostracized. So far this season he’s their joint-leading scorer in the league alongside Alexis Sanchez, and for good reason -- his active play up top has made Arsenal much, much better when Giroud has been on the pitch. No matter what else Sanchez and whoever else joins them in the attack do, it’s Giroud’s work higher up the pitch that helps create the time, space, and options for them to strut their stuff.
Key matchup -- Craig Dawson (West Brom) vs. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Dawson’s tough and physical nature at right back has helped him neutralize a number of dangerous attackers over his career, but trying to contain Sanchez is a whole other issue. The dynamic Chilean forward has so many different ways to attack him one-on-one that Dawson normally doesn’t have to deal with -- but if West Brom are willing to pull him a bit further inside to let Dawson work against him more as the center back that he learned how to play the game as, Dawson could be just the ticket to keeping Sanchez at bay.
West Bromwich Albion injuries and suspensions
Out: Ben Foster In doubt: Chris Brunt
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere In doubt: Hector Bellerin
Arsenal’s injury situation rarely seems to improve for long this season, and now with Ramsey, Walcott, and Oxlade-Chamberlain joining Welbeck and Wilshere on the bench, their attack is thinner than ever.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
TV: USA Network (U.S.), TSN1, RDS 2 (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.)
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