Arsenal are hoping to put the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the Barclays Premier League and history will give them optimism for their trip to West Bromwich Albion.
The sides have met 18 times in the BPL and Arsenal’s record of scoring against them in every encounter is the longest 100% scoring rate versus a single opponent in the competition’s history.
More reason for West Brom apprehension is that they have won just two of those 18 meetings (losing 13 and drawing three), while Arsenal visit with a strong recent away record.
West Brom’s BPL record v Arsenal
| P | W | D | L | F | A | |
| At home |
9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 17 |
| Overall | 18 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 18 | 39 |
Arsene Wenger’s side have dropped just five points from their last 12 away matches in the league and in Olivier Giroud they have an in-form striker who could extend that run.
The France striker has four goals in his last six league matches and presents an aerial threat to the hosts’ backline. Giroud has scored with 15 headers since joining in 2012, more than any other player in the BPL. One of those headers was against West Bromwich Albion in May 2014.
Both teams pose a significant danger in the air, with only Southampton (six) scoring more headed goals than their five each.
The Baggies struggle with shooting on the ground, though. They have had 113 attempts on goal this season, the lowest in the Barclays Premier League, while only Man City can match Arsenal’s 221 shots.
Furthermore, only 56% of the shots on target faced by Arsenal have been from inside the area, the best record in the league.
