Premier League: Arsenal v West Brom match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Emirates

Romelu Lukaku could be recalled from his West Brom loan spell (AFP/Getty Images)

After resting a number of first-team players in the midweek defeat to Olympiakos in the Champions League, Arsene Wenger will be hoping his Arsenal side can get back to winning ways against this season's surprise package West Brom.

The Gunners currently lie in 10th place in the Premier League after their worst start to a season for 18 years. On the other hand the Baggies are enjoying a very fruitful start to the campaign, and lie in 5th place in the league, despite back-to-back defeats.

If the Gunners are to get back to winning ways they will have to keep a watchful eye on striking duo Shane Long and Romelu Lukaku, who both have scored five times already this season, with the north London side still struggling for goals following the summer departure of Robin Van Persie .

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

West Brom 2 (Long, Dorrans) Arsenal 3 (Benayoun, Santos, Koscielny), Premier League, May 2012

Arsenal 3 (Van Persie, Vermaelen, Arteta) West Brom 0, Premier League, November 2011

West Brom 2 (Reid, Odemwingie) Arsenal 2 (Arshavin, Van Persie), Premier League, March 2011

STATS…

Arsenal have won just three of their seven home games in the Premier League this season.

West Brom have made their best ever start to a Premier League campaign with 26 points from 15 games.

The Baggies have averaged a creditable win percentage of 53 per cent this season.

The Gunners have a win percentage of just 33 per cent.

ODDS…

Arsenal to win: 1.52

West Brom to win: 7.6

Draw: 4.6

CLASSIC MATCH...

Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season, and their first at home in nine months, as West Brom ran out 3-2 winners at the Emirates in September 2010. This was West Brom's first win at Arsenal in nearly 27 years and also their first away victory in the Premier League after 19 attempts. Two quick fire goals from Peter Odemwingie and Gonzalo Jara in the second half set Albion on their way to a memorable away victory.

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm