ALBION will be looking to build on a positive draw against Everton when they play Arsenal at The Hawthorns on New Year’s Eve (ko 4.30pm).
The opposition
Arsenal currently sit 6th in the Premier League table having accumulated 37 points from their 20 games so far this season.
Arsene Wenger’s side have won two and drawn three of their last five games, and are still competing across all four competitions that they started the season taking part in.
The Gunners won their Europa League group to set up a Round of 32 tie against Ostersunds FK, are in the semi finals of the Carabao Cup where they take on Chelsea and begin their FA Cup campaign with a trip to Nottingham Forest next month.
Last time out
The most recent game between the two teams was back in September when an Alexandre Lacazette brace handed Arsenal a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.
The last meeting at The Hawthorns, however, was a 3-1 win for Albion in March thanks to a couple of Craig Dawson goals and a Hal Robson-Kanu strike despite Alexis Sanchez’s early opener.
Dawson celebrates scoring against Arsenal last season.
Stats
Albion
- This will be the first time the Baggies have ever played Arsenal on New Year’s Eve.
- Albion have won their last two matches against The Gunners at The Hawthorns - a 3-1 victory last season and a 2-1 win the campaign before.
- Gareth McAuley will make his 200th Premier League appearance for the Club if he plays any part of the game against Arsenal.
Arsenal
- Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet from their last nine visits to The Hawthorns in all competitions.
- There hasn't been a goalless draw between the sides since way back in November 1985 - a run stretching back an incredible 28 games.
- The Gunners have made the second most amount of passes in the PL so far this season (12,623).
From the archive
Here are the highlights from last season’s 3-1 win over Arsenal.
Head to head
The head-to-head record doesn't make for particularly good reading if you’re an Albion fan.
From the 140 meetings, the Baggies have won on 38 occasions, drawn 31 of the games and been defeated 71 times.
Man in the middle
Mike Dean will be the referee, and he’ll be assisted by Simon Long and Ian Hussin - with Chris Kavanagh as the fourth official.
Dean has officiated the Baggies twice so far this campaign, the draw at Leicester and the loss to Swansea.
Ticket news
Tickets for our final game of 2017 remain on general sale.
Seats for the clash are priced at £30 Adults, £24 Seniors, £10 Students & Young Adults and £5 Juniors.
You can buy match tickets online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.
Follow the game
Comprehensive coverage of the clash with Arsenal is available in our Match Centre, where you can listen to free live commentary on WBA Radio or follow our live text feed.
WBA Radio is the only service that allows Baggies fans around the world - from Smethwick to the Sahara - access to uninterrupted live commentaries from every one of our competitive games. Join Gez Mulholland and Dave Bowler for Baggies-biased live commentary on New Year’s Eve.
You’ll also be able to find score updates on the club's social media channels.
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