Match Preview
Games against West Brom can occasionally lead to the sounding of the death knell for Premier League bosses. The Baggie's 3-0 win over Sunderland at the weekend led to the sacking of manager Paolo Di Canio, while Roberto Di Matteo, Mick McCarthy and Andre Villas-Boas have been axed in the past following defeats to the Midlands club. If this game had come but a month ago, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger might well have had cause for concern, with fans criticising his lack of activity in the transfer window and angered by a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa. However, a lot has changed at Emirates Stadium since, with the Gunners top of the league and infused by the recent capture of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. The Gunners' record against the Baggies in recent times - winning the last four meetings - will provide the Frenchman even more cause for optimism after making a break-neck start to the season. And though the League Cup is often maligned as a so-called "lesser competition", passage through to the fourth round tonight will be seen as another step in the right direction by fans still waiting for a trophy to celebrate. source -
bbc football