Wenger: I need to rest Sanchez…but I can’t

Sunderland are the only team to have lost at the Hawthorns and a loss against Arsenal will make it three on the bounce for the Baggies, who are now only six points clear of the drop zone.

Prior to the global break, the Gunners were in a bit of an injury crisis and a number of senior players were showing signs of tired.

Arsenal has been in good form in league for the majority of the season. West Brom’s mission will be to stop them.

Arsene Wenger has had to rely on the likes of Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell in crucial games such as their 5-1 hammering to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in Champions League Match Day 4.

Considering the calibre of those sides, it’s more than acceptable for the Gunners to drop points in these fixtures, while Man City only drew at bottom-club Aston Villa in the last gameweek of action to drop points they would have been expected to secure. “Today in the Premier League you don’t get away with it with 80 per cent focus”.

If he does pass fit to play, Chris Brunt will be a vital part of the game plan for Tony Pulis. Two of their nine league goals conceded (22.2%) have been from set pieces and seven of their 23 goals conceded in all competitions (30.4%) have been from set pieces.

West Brom ended up being beaten but they made things hard for Manchester United at Old Trafford last time out, and they will do the same to Arsenal at The Hawthorns.

France’s national anthem La Marseillaise will be sung before Premier League games this weekend, and Wenger is appreciative of the support, adding: “Symbolically it’s a very nice gesture”.

Turning to Saturday’s game, Wenger said West Brom would prove tough opposition.

After being sent off against Manchester United, Gareth McAuley will be unavailable for this match.

Tony Pulis has aimed friendly fire at Football Associations and insisted they should cover the costs for his global stars.

But with Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere all still sidelined by injury, Wenger can not yet hand him the break he craves.

The final update from Wenger concerned Theo Walcott and the England worldwide is still two weeks away from returning from a calf problem that he picked up at Hillsborough last month.