West Bromwich(WBA) vs Arsenal preview - Berahino in line for first start

Posted Saturday, October 05, 2013 by PA

West Brom forward Saido Berahino could make his first Barclays Premier League start against Arsenal on Sunday after his match-winning performance against Manchester United last weekend.

Albion head coach Steve Clarke could be without strikers Victor Anichebe (groin), Shane Long (knee) and Nicolas Anelka (foot), leaving the door open for 20-year-old Berahino to potentially step in.

"Saido has a chance to start. You have to look at every game on its merits but no-one can quibble if he starts," said Clarke.

"He's not a gamble for me, his performance in training and starts are right up there."

Midfielders James Morrison and Chris Brunt should also be available but Scott Sinclair (hamstring) is absent while Matej Vydra, Ben Foster, George Thorne and Zoltan Gera are all working their way back to full fitness.

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna will miss the match after being ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Spanish winger Santi Cazorla is also out of contention due to an ankle problem.

Manager Arsene Wenger has warned the rest of the Premier League there is plenty more to come from his side.

Arsenal travel to The Hawthorns looking to record what would be a remarkable 11th straight victory in all competitions.

Wenger feels a new-found self belief is behind the dramatic improvement, with confidence now flowing through the team and supporters alike following the club-record B£43million signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day.

"For us it is important to maintain our consistent run and to continue to develop as a team because if you look at the broader picture we have had quite a good consistent run since March, but it is important of course that we continue to develop," said the Arsenal manager, whose side cruised past Napoli 2-0 in their Champions League tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

"I believe we can still do better, that there is more to come from us, but that will depend now on how much we want it and how hungry we are to improve."