A rare Thursday-night Premier League fixture this week sees Arsenal host West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates.
The hosts are looking to cement their place in the top four, while West Brom could climb within a point of 10th-placed Chelsea if they come out on top.
Arsenal
© Getty ImagesTwo months ago Arsenal were on course to end their 12-year wait for a Premier League title having done the double on leaders Leicester City and closed to within two points of the Foxes.
However, while Leicester have not let up, the Gunners have managed just two league wins in seven matches to fall 13 behind Claudio Ranieri's side. The title is not mathematically out of reach, but with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City above them, there is no hope of Arsenal being crowned champions this season.
They need to be wary of the sides below them, especially Manchester United, who will be within a point of them if they get the better of Crystal Palace at home later tonight.
The Gunners might be unbeaten in five league games, but three of those have finished as draws, including the last two against fellow Londoners West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
On Sunday, Palace fell behind to a well-taken goal from in-form Alexis Sanchez but then secured an unlikely draw through Yannick Bolasie's vicious low strike that Gunners goalkeeper Petr Cech said skidded too fast for him to stop at the near post.
Sanchez has now scored or assisted seven goals in his last six Premier League games (four goals, three assists) after delivering just one in his previous 10.
Going back to early January, Arsene Wenger's men have won just four of their last 13 Premier League games (W4 D6 L3), only one more victory than their opponents West Brom in their last 13 league matches (three wins).
Arsenal are the only team to have scored in every game against a side currently in the bottom half, and victory would be the Gunners' 500th in the Premier League era – only Manchester United with 583 have won more.
Recent Premier League form: LDWWDD
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWDD
West Brom
© Getty ImagesA poor run of form has seen West Brom drop down to 14th, but the gap to the bottom three is still in double figures and with the Baggies on 40 points, there should be no danger of going down.
Tony Pulis's side have lost three of their last four matches in the league and have only won once away from home since October.
On Saturday they welcomed another bottom-half side seemingly assured of safety and it was a day to forget for Saido Berahino against Watford.
The Hornets were ahead at half time thanks to Ben Watson's cute finish from a corner, but West Brom won two penalties in the second half that Berahino saw saved by Heurelho Gomes. The first was a comfortable save for the Brazilian, but the second was much firmer and heading right into the corner when stopped.
Away from home, the Baggies have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games (W1 D5 L5). However, Pulis's side have picked up points on the road away at the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, West Ham and Everton this season.
All 10 of the Baggies' Premier League wins this season have been by a one-goal margin, including seven 1-0 victories.
Recent form: DWLDLL
Team News
© Getty ImagesWenger could make changes with the likes of Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud pushing for recalls.
Jack Wilshere has been continuing his comeback from a fractured ankle with Arsenal's Under-21 side, but is not yet fit enough to return to first-team action, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky remain sidelined.
Pulis will have to decide whether to stick with the team that started against Watford, with Berahino likely to keep his place despite the missed penalties.
The Baggies have no new injury worries, but Pulis is still unable to call upon Alex Pritchard, Chris Brunt and James Morrison.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi; Giroud
West Brom possible starting lineup:
Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Chester; Fletcher, Yacob; Sessegnon, Berahino, McClean; Rondon
Head To Head
West Brom are aiming to complete a league double over the Gunners for the first time since 1961-62. The reverse fixture finished 2-1 to the Baggies, despite the hosts having only one shot on target, with Mikel Arteta's own goal proving to be the winner.
Arsenal had been unbeaten in nine Premier League games against the Baggies before their defeat at The Hawthorns in November (W7 D2).
Only one of the 13 Premier League meetings between Wenger's Arsenal and a side managed by Pulis has ever ended as an away win. The latter has lost all seven visits to the Emirates Stadium.
We say: Arsenal 2-0 West Brom
The title is out of reach, but Arsenal still need wins to assure themselves of yet another top-four finish and West Brom are unlikely to cause too many problems with their safety all but guaranteed.
