%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
West Brom vs Arsenal: 3 Things To Watch For
By Brian Wong
Arsenal return to action against West Brom seeking to restart their winning ways. Here are three things to watch for during the action.
Venue: The Hawthorns
Date: November 21
The theme of the articles posted all of last week revolved around the phrase “much needed rest!” I couldn’t agree more when I saw all these articles looking at the decrease in effectiveness of Alexis Sanchez, or the multitude of question that surround Ozil’s ability to keep his form at such a high level. Last time Arsenal played, they looked exhausted, undermanned in so many areas of the pitch, and disorganized.
Related: Arsenal’s Predicted Starting XI To Face West Brom
All of that meant that a nice week long break couldn’t have come at a better time. As for Wenger’s recent comments regarding Koscielny’s mental and emotional attitude lately, I can’t even begin to relate to any of it. However, I do agree with Wenger that emotional preparation is just as important as physical preparation.
Prediction: West Brom 0-2 Arsenal
1. Cazorla will be back
Despite all the chants of Cazorla’s name throughout Arsenal games, and all the praise people around the web give him, I still think his contributions towards this team is under-appreciated. I’ll be the first to admit that I began the season hoping he was sold, maximizing his value while moving onward with someone else in the middle of the pitch. I thought Wilshere was going to beat out Cazorla and finally establish his position in the starting XI.
More from Arsenal Match Previews
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- Everton vs Arsenal: 3 key battles to decide Goodison showdown
- Everton vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- Arsenal vs Man Utd preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- Arsenal vs Fulham: 3 key battles to decide London derby
I was dead wrong with all of that! When I watch anyone else play the role Cazorla takes up, I appreciate what the Spaniard has done. The work rate, the ability to weave in and out of traffic, and the amazing ability to use both legs while providing vision from a deeper position. That last point is one of the reasons why I think Ozil has been so successful. Cazorla’s vision from the back means opponents have to push slightly higher up the pitch, and that opens up space. Space that when given to Ozil is just a bad idea.
2. Giroud is a physical presence
Once again, I begin by stating how wrong I have been about another Arsenal player. Ask anyone of the writers here at Pain in the Arsenal and they can back me up when I say I have not been the nicest person when it comes to talking about Giroud. While a lot of people enjoy his physical attributes, I have always lamented the fact that he is too slow and too unreliable to be a starting striker for a team with hopes of contention.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
Maybe the last person not named Walcott to wear a red No. 14 spoiled me like Dennis Bergkamp’s completeness as a striker spoiled some Gunners fans. I just never thought Giroud was that good, he has his moments but lacked consistency. Well, as Squawka.com shows, in the past five Premier League games, Giroud has scored three goals and has made over 60% of his passes. Those aren’t outstanding numbers but they are decent.
With Giroud, I think it is important to look at his passing numbers rather than his shooting numbers because his hold up play requires smart and good passes to be effective. If Giroud is passing well, and playing that physical game we lack anywhere else on the pitch, Arsenal will have a great chance at putting on a show this weekend.
3. Gabriel Paulista is a beast
Look back at the first article I wrote after Paulista came over to Arsenal during the January transfer window. You will see how much I raved about the potential of Paulista. My love for Paulista may have something to do with my frustration with Per, but his physical ability definitely stands out.
Next: Only YOU Can Bring Messi To Arsenal
Paulista is physically gifted to cope with the style of play in the Premier League. His lack of care for any opponents is just so entertaining. Paulista is becoming a major cult hero in the eyes of a number of Arsenal fans, mainly because he exposed Diego Costa to be a ginormous fraud. And because of his amazing, in the moment celebrations when he makes key defensive plays.
As Squawka.com further proves my point, not only does Paulista look the part, his numbers back it up. Over the course of this season, Paulista has been a part of seven Key Defensive Plays, while having an incredible pass rate of 90% and winning 60% of his duels.