Mesut Ozil and Arsenal look to bounce back against West Bromwich Albion after mini-slump
Stoke City travel to the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day as Gunners seek to bounce back from successive defeats by Everton and Manchester City
Arsene Wenger knows Arsenal have no margin for error when they attempt to revive their Premier League title challenge against West Bromwich Albion on Monday.
The visit of Tony Pulis’ side to the Emirates Stadium presents the Gunners with an opportunity to bounce back after successive defeats to Everton and Manchester City that have undermined their claim to be genuine challengers this season.
It wasn’t simply the defeats, but the manner of the losses in games when Wenger’s side led on both occasions only to be overwhelmed by their opponents’ greater strength.
The performances led to accusations that, despite a promising start to the season in both the Premier League and the Champions League, Arsenal remain flawed and incapable of pulling off the right result when it mattered most.
Just 48 hours to go until #AFCvWBA... pic.twitter.com/IkE6CYcNSO— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 24, 2016
Bearing the brunt of that criticism was Mesut Ozil, the playmaker whose contribution had been praised during the opening months of the campaign before the Germany international produced two sub-par performances.