Such a different Arsenal for West Brom to face
Arsenal’s 2-2 all draw with West Brom in March was among the worst overall displays of the season, with so many players failing to live up to any level of expectation. They were lucky to escape with a draw and the confidence-draining result led them to another draw the very next week against Blackburn.
However, despite there only being seven months between then and now, Roy Hodgson’s men will face such a different team. Of course, every contest is different regardless of the time period between the games but in this case, the challenge really is an incomparable prospect.
Almunia played one of his worst ever games for Arsenal in that draw, offering Odemwingie an embarrassingly easy open goal chance – which was scored – after pushing Squillaci out of his way. Add to this his bewildered reaction to the majority of attacks from the Baggies, and it’s clear why West Brom enjoyed getting forward so much. Spring of 2011 was also the time when Koscielny was still finding his feet in the Premier League, and his partnership with the hapless Squillaci was shameful to watch. Even Sagna and Clichy were mediocre, with Ramsey and Denilson struggling in the middle, the latter in particular with a terrible display. The attack was better but the likes of Arshavin, Van Persie and Chamakh were unable to create much bar a few openings in the second half.
Today, West Brom are facing a team with a world-class goalkeeper, one of the most on-form central defences in the league and a striker who has this week won awards for his goalscoring feats this season, not mentioning a midfield that looks complete despite missing last season’s Player of the Season Jack Wilshere. Roy Hodgson may be pleased that his team won’t have to face him but Arsenal’s threat has spread through the team. It may seem like the Gunners’ lack of form went on without end but Wenger has transformed his team in the seven months not only in terms of personnel – only four of the eleven who played the Baggies in March are probable starters today – but also in confidence and sheer spirit.
How will the new Arsenal fare today?
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West Brom, prepare for a thrashing!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
24 
1
It would be very nice to see Arteta or somebody else do the scoring
i mean i want Van Persie to get his golden boot i just dont want our team to rely to much on him so i am looking foward to see someone else score
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2 
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Victory for gunner is sure today. An opportunity to improve goal aggregate qnd for Robin to increase his number on thr goal scorer log
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5 
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S’il vous plait, Monsieur Wenger… Can we see Coquelin and Oxlade-Chamberlain??? Merci
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7 
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szc
jenkinson-kos-tv5-santos
arteta-coquelin
ramsey
walcott- -gervinho
rvp
agree gooner??rest song,mert??any lineup put by wengie..3 point is a must to keep us top flight..hpe evry team in top lose some points..
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0 
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We all delight with the three point and the performances of the team in whole. Jekinson is comming up gradually and i am so glad with his improvement.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
9 
0
where is ADAM KEMP and his cohorts who never expect any good thing from Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. They be must waiting for a day when the team will have a slip, and Im sure they will wait till eternity as the team keeps improving. They have got nothing to write again or their computer system must have crashed due to the virus they created for themselves. IN ARSENE WE TRUST. Goooooooooooooooo Arsenal gooooooooooooooooooooooo
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1 
0