After four successive Premier League goalless draws, Arsène Wenger and his men travel to the Hawthorns to take on rock-bottom West Brom. This season Arsenal.com will be identifying the key battles for the game. We will bring you all the statistics and information a fan could need so swot up now and come Saturday you will be impressing anyone who will listen with your new-found knowledge.
Gianni Zuiverloon v Samir Nasri
Although Samir Nasri has flirted with a more central role in recent weeks, the Frenchman might be deployed on the left at the Hawthorns. If so, he will face Gianni Zuiverloon, who has claimed Albion’s right-back slot as his own. The Dutchman has won an impressive 19 tackles, succeeded in 40 per cent of his dribbles and registered one assist this term. Nasri has hit the target with 78 per cent of his shots and has scored five Premier League goals in his debut season.
| Gianni Zuiverloon | Samir Nasri | |
| Appareances | 22 | 22 |
| Minutes played | 1936 | 1810 |
| Assists | 1 | 2 |
| Successful crosses | 2 | 3 |
| Unsuccessful crosses | 18 | 26 |
| Successful dribbles | 4 | 22 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 6 | 7 |
| Goals scored | 0 | 5 |
| Complete passes | 90 | 96 |
| Incomplete passes | 68 | 58 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 22 |
| Shots off target | 7 | 6 |
| Tackles won | 19 | 8 |
| Tackles lost | 7 | 15 |
Robert Koren v Denilson
Robert Koren has been one of the brightest sparks in an eye-catching Albion midfield unit. The Slovenian international, who has excelled in both tackling and dribbling stakes this term, could lock horns with Denilson tonight. The 21-year-old has started more games than any other Gunner in 2008/09, notching five assists and scoring three goals in his 26 appearances.
| Robert Koren | Denilson | |
| Appearances | 25 | 26 |
| Minutes played | 2182 | 2277 |
| Assists | 2 | 5 |
| Successful dribbles | 15 | 9 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 16 | 4 |
| Dribbles made | 31 | 13 |
| Free-kicks taken | 11 | 39 |
| Goals scored | 2 | 3 |
| Complete passes | 110 | 119 |
| Incomplete passes | 74 | 66 |
| Shots off target | 15 | 12 |
| Shots on target | 20 | 14 |
| Tackles lost | 11 | 8 |
| Tackles won | 23 | 16 |
Abdoulaye Meite v Nicklas Bendtner
Nicklas Bendtner started among the substitutes against Fulham but Arsène Wenger’s need for goals against West Brom might see the Dane recalled to the starting line up. As ever, the powerful striker has proved a handful for his opponents at all times this season, but has only struck a disappointing three times. In his way at the Hawthorns could be Abdoulaye Meite who has completed just over 55 per cent of his passes and won 10 of his 16 tackles.
| Abdoulaye Meite | Nicklas Bendtner | |
| Appearances | 14 | 20 |
| Minutes played | 1131 | 1037 |
| Assists | 0 | 2 |
| Successful dribbles | 4 | 7 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 4 | 4 |
| Goals scored | 0 | 3 |
| Complete passes | 48 | 60 |
| Incomplete passes | 39 | 28 |
| Shots off target | 3 | 10 |
| Shots on target | 1 | 21 |
| Woodwork struck | 0 | 1 |
| Tackles lost | 6 | 7 |
| Tackles won | 10 | 2 |
