West Brom come in to the game off the back of a 3-0 victory over Chelsea, and are five games unbeaten – despite a very tricky run including the aforementioned champions, as well as Manchester United and Liverpool. The run of tough games has not eased up, as West Brom close the season against second-placed Arsenal.
The Baggies performances have been based upon their strong back line, with Joleon Lescott being central to this. Lescott has been deployed in the Left Back position under Tony Pulis, and according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index he has won 51 tackles so far this campaign, 81% of his overall attempts, also making squad bests of 208 clearances, 79 interceptions and 35 blocks.
Chris Brunt has proved that hard work can be one key to success, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has completed a squad best 348.26km so far this season, making 67 interceptions in defence. Going forward he has completed 498 passes in the opposition half, also completing a squad best 28 crosses and racking up 9 assists.
Saido Berahino struck twice against Chelsea, bringing his total in the Barclays Premier League to 14. The English youngster has featured in every game for West Brom and with 37 shots on target, 54.4% of his total shots, he could well add to his tally this weekend against Arsenal. Berahino is 17/2 to score first with 888sport.com.
Arsenal have now secured second place in the Premier League and have some solid building blocks to work off next season and mount a serious title challenge. After a midweek draw against Sunderland, Arsenal will be hoping to go out with a win on the final day.
Santi Cazorla has had arguably his best season in an Arsenal shirt, and with just one game remaining in the Barclays Premier League, his place in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Team of the Season looks safe. Cazorla has completed 1,391 passes in the opposition half this season, the fourth most in the division, as well as recording a superb 89.1% pass completion rate.
A player who has not featured much this season, but has made an impact whenever he has played is Theo Walcott. The Englishman has played thirteen games, in both the centre forward position and on the wing, but it is the accuracy of his shooting that has been most notable. Walcott has a squad-best shot accuracy of 69.2% and has scored 0.48 goals per ninety minutes.
Alexis Sanchez’s goalscoring form this season has been particularly impressive. He has scored 16 goals over the course of his 34 games. The Chilean has recorded an impressive 61.8% of his shots on target, the third highest accuracy rate among the top 40 goalscorers, behind Charlie Austin and Diego Costa. Sanchez is likely to provide Arsenal’s main threat on the weekend and 888sport.com have him at 21/20 to score at any time.
Can Albion keep their unbeaten run going against Arsenal? Have your say at Baggies Banter.