Bacary Sagna will miss Arsenal’s trip to The Hawthorns after he was ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury which he sustained in Tuesday evening’s win over Napoli in the Champions League.
He joins Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo and Santi Cazorla on the Gunners ever extensive injury-list, though the latter pair are expected back after the international break.
Arsene Wenger’s men have emerged victorious in the last five meetings between the sides, but needed penalties to progress in last month’s League Cup third round tie.
Three points here would guarantee the Gunners top spot ahead of their game with Norwich City in two weeks’ time, and would also set a new club record of nine straight away league victories.
Meanwhile, the Arsenal manager has criticised Jack Wilshere, after a national newspaper published photos of the midfielder smoking, according to Sky Sports.
The England international was pictured outside a London nightclub following the midweek win over Napoli.
Wenger has stated that he ‘disagrees completely’ with the 21 year olds behaviour, and will now deal with the matter in private.
The midfielder has played in all six of the clubs league games so far this season.
