West Brom (a) preview, A comedy picture at Spurs' expense

Tommy - time for his annual goal

Back to Arsenal tomorrow and the trip to West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies have been a bit inconsistent since Christmas but their blistering start to the season has seen them secure in their Premier League future for a while now. They play good football and possess pace and power, especially in the shape of Romelu Lukaku. The big Belgian looks frightening at times, albeit sometimes a bit manic when faced with goal. You can be certain that our centre-backs will be faced with one hell of a test if Lukaku plays tomorrow. I said in my season preview piece that I fancied him to impress while on loan from Chelsea and I think I've been proved right for a change. I certainly expect West Brom to be going for the win. Hopefully that will open up one or two spaces in their half of the pitch that Arsenal might exploit if our players can perform in a similar manner to last week.
The team news doesn't see any fresh injury worries for us. It looks like Wilshere and Walcott might be back next week so I can't see too many changes from the Reading game. Personally I'd bring in Jenkinson, Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the way Arsene Wenger praised Gervinho last week I doubt he will miss out. There may be a case for Podolski coming in to the side with Cazorla moving central and either Ramsey or, more likely, Rosicky dropping to the bench, but I don't see that happening barring a previously undisclosed injury/illness. Rosicky is certainly due a goal and there's no time like the present. If we win 1-0 with a winner from Tommy then I'll be very pleased indeed.
We need to put pressure on those immediately above us, neither of whom play until Sunday. Chelsea will be playing their fourth game in eight days, while Spurs are now showing indifferent form and are without Bale. If we could move ahead of Chelsea, and to within a point of the mugs, with a victory tomorrow then we would really be piling the heat on them. Can they take the pressure? Arsenal need to win games like the one at West Brom if we're to find out.

Before I leave you I have to share a picture that I saw on Twitter first thing this morning. It had me laughing out loud. I didn't watch the Tottenham game last night and I only heard about the diving simian being injured after the match. I suspect the image below wasn't far removed from the television pictures.

Spurs fans aghast as Bale is stretchered off

I'll hopefully get to review the West Brom game at some point on Sunday. Here's hoping we have three points to celebrate.