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Arsenal Fan View: Three talking points ahead of another Pulis-Wenger showdown

Kabir Nagpal
Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Tony Pulis, Manager of West Bromwich Albion (R) embrace prior to the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns
Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Tony Pulis, Manager of West Bromwich Albion (R) embrace prior to the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns

An encouraging week could be capped off on Monday as Arsenal host West Brom after winning against Doncaster and grabbing a good point against Chelsea. The Gunners are unbeaten at home in 4 and need to keep it as such if they are to continue their climb up the table.

Here are the three main points to look forward to for the game at the Emirates:

Arsenal have momentum but Pulis test awaits

Arsene Wenger is probably the only manager who has the unfortunate luck of having more than a few nemeses. No matter where they move to, the Jose Mourinho’s and Tony Pulis’ always seem have a similar effect on the Prof’s season.

Ever since their clashes at Stoke City, Pulis and Wenger do not see eye to eye. For one sees the other as the pioneer of “rugby football” and the other is no fan of the Frenchman.

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And the trend has continued for Pulis at West Brom, where he has made sure no team finds it easy to play against his strong defensive setup-least of all, Arsenal. Having done the number on them a few times before, the Baggies will be looking to continue said trend and stop the Gunners momentum right in their tracks.

Krychowiak and Barry point to what Arsenal are missing-and they will prove it

When the initial news came out I could barely believe it. A PSG footballer making the switch to PL football was not the big deal-but the idea that a DM who can bully the opposition was taken up by someone other than Arsenal.

Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United and Michail Antonio of West Ham United battle for possession with Grzegorz Krychowiak of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United at The Hawthorns
Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United and Michail Antonio of West Ham United battle for possession with Grzegorz Krychowiak of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United at The Hawthorns

The Polish midfielder signifies exactly what this team are missing. A proper defensive rock in the middle of the team, one who can surely protect the back line and allow Ozil freedom. So, when Wenger completely looked away from such a deal, it boggled my mind.

For years, the Gunners fans have cried out for a replacement of Patrick Viera in this side. And while Adrien Rabiot may just be that, Wenger is not exactly going after him either.

The pairing of Krychowiak and Barry may just give him another reminder to probably finally seal the deal this summer.

Arsenal may not miss Ozil for this game either

At around half time during the game at the Bridge, Arsenal fans were in agreement about at least one thing. Mesut Ozil was nowhere to be seen and it was okay.

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The German maestro has largely been criticized for going missing in big games or games that need extra physical effort. The Chelsea game was exactly that-and it turned out that his absence from the squad was perhaps for the best.

This is not to say his creativity was not missed (just the 2 shots on target justify that), but it turns out when looking to grind out a game, Ozil is not your man.

Wenger may just be tempted to leave him on the bench, and use him in dire need only. After all, in a direct contest between Krychowiak and Ozil, there is only one winner.