Arsenal look to secure the fourth spot as West Brom fight for survival

London giants Arsenal will be looking to secure their qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the 17th consecutive time on Sunday with a victory over West Brom.

The Gunners’ steady qualification in the Champions League looked in trouble when they faced a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Everton when they met last month. But after two major slips from the Merseyside club, Arsenal are back in the driving seat to clinch the fourth spot in the EPL table.

Arsenal has been on quite a run with three consecutive victories and they have scored nine goals in the process. But it will be quite unsettling for the Gunner fans that West Brom was able to hold them to a 1-1 draw when they met earlier this season in the Premier League. Both the teams again met in the FA Cup where Arsenal eventually won the match on penalties after the match remained undecided in regulation time.

Arsenal has lost only two league matches at home in the last 17 months, and Arsene Wenger is quite confident about maintaining this delightful home record.

“The restriction we had was in the big games, when we only made draws and not wins in some of them,” he said. “That’s where the missing points are at the moment because we are very close to the top.

“Maybe one or two wins at home would have made that difference

“The regret we have of the season is that we have been remarkably consistent, (but) it is against the teams who did not fight for the Premier League title.”

Kieran Gibbs (hamstring), Jack Wilshere (foot) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) will be sidelined in the match, while right back Bacary Sagna is doubtful with a knee injury.

West Brom moved four points clear of the relegation zone with their win over West Ham last week and an highly unlikely victory over the Gunners will ensure their safety this season.

West Brom coach Pepe Mel still insisted that the relegation battle is not ever for this team yet, but if Fulham, Cardiff City and Norwich City fail to win this weekend, the top flight status for West Brom will be insured for this season, irrespective of their result.

Kieran Gibbs (hamstring), Jack Wilshere (foot) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) will be sidelined in the match, while right back Bacary Sagna is doubtful with a knee injury.

West Brom will be missing the services of Gareth McAuley (calf), Zoltan Gera (hamstring injury) and also Steven Reid (groin) in the match on Sunday.