Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal have lost their last two games in the league Getty

Arsenal host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Boxing Day, Monday, 26 December, with the Gunners currently in fourth place, nine points off leaders Chelsea. The north London club have lost their last two fixtures in the league, against Everton and Manchester City, and will be desperate to get back on the winning train.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Highlights of the game will be available on BBC Match of the Day at 10:55pm GMT on BBC One.

Overview

Arsenal have fallen through the paces in the last two games and will be on the verge of a meltdown should they fail to register a win against Tony Pulis' men at the Emirates. They led on both accounts against Everton and City, but threw away the points owing to some inept defending at the back. Gabriel is currently deputising in the absence of Shkodran Mustafi, but his combination with Laurent Koscielny has failed to mete out the desired results.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the game with a muscle problem but is likely to be available for their game against Crystal Palace before the end of the year. Meanwhile, Danny Welbeck is back in full training but will take a few more weeks before being available for selection.

West Brom will take encouragement from Arsenal's 4-0 capitulation against Southampton on Boxing Day last year and will be looking to turn around an otherwise woeful record at the Emirates in recent times. The Baggies have only won once in recent years, losing eight and drawing only once from 10 meetings thus far.

They are set to welcome back Johnny Evans to the starting line-up, who missed their last two games with a calf injury but James Morrison is a doubt after he picked up a flu and did not train till Friday. Meanwhile, Sadio Berahino is trying to regain fitness, having not played a single game since September.

What Managers Say

Arsene Wenger told the club website: "It is part of our job to do that and you know that when you go into a season it will not only be satisfaction. The disappointments are part of a successful season - that's part of our environment. It's how you respond to it that of course makes your destiny and that's what we want to do well. I believe that of course in 20 games we lost two, and it is very difficult because we are not used to that, but as well we have to put it into perspective and fight for the next one."

Tony Pulis told the club website: "Arsenal have a wonderful squad that's capable of winning the Premier League this year. They have players to come back too. It's always a really tough test going down to Arsenal. You have to be at your best and they have to have an off day. We need things to go our way at Arsenal. Sometimes they do. It's always lovely beating one of the top teams and it would be great if we could go to Arsenal on Boxing Day and do that."

Betting Odds (betfair)

  • Arsenal win: 1/3
  • Draw: 4
  • West Bromwich Albion win: 10

Team News

Arsenal

Possible XI: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Xhaka; Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi; Sanchez

West Bromwich Albion

Possible XI: Forster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Nyom; Fletcher, Yacob, Chadli; Brunt, Phillips, Rondon.

Arsenal FC West Bromwich Albion FC Premier League