Arsenal-West Brom Preview

LONDON (SE) - Arsenal's Champions League qualification hopes come down to the last day of the season when they visit The Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners go into the final round of games in third position, but with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United hot on their heels Arsenal know that dropped points could see them slip to as low as fifth in the table.

"It will be a great achievement if we manage to do it (finish third)," said Wenger. "I believe it would be reward for a group which has exceptional strength.

"They have come through some difficult times, always recovered and always battled. Therefore I will be extremely delighted when we do it.

"There is even more uncertainty because fourth place is not this time necessarily in the Champions League. Let's make sure we finish third and win our game - that is the only answer we can give. To do that of course you need a full, committed performance from everybody.

"On that front I am quite sure we will get that from our players and then we will have a very good chance to do it."

The Hawthorns will say goodbye to departing manager Roy Hodgson on Sunday, and goalkeeper Ben Foster insists that the players will be doing everything to give the new England boss a fitting send-off.

"He deserves to leave this club with a win in his last game here," said Foster. "He has been fantastic for us even though I've only been here for a year and he's been here for 18 months.

"Everybody says that since he came here he has just steadied the ship and got everybody settled. Everybody knows their jobs from the strikers, to the defenders, to the goalkeepers. Once everyone knows what's going to be going on at any given point in the game, you have a chance of improving.

"Without a doubt we are going to go into the Arsenal game looking to get three points and though everybody would probably be happy with a draw, we're not the sort of team to sit back. We'll be going for it as much as they will.

"I think everyone agrees that the gaffer deserves our efforts."

Jerome Thomas and Chris Brunt are doubtful due to illness for the Baggies, while Peter Odemwingie is struggling with a hamstring problem. Steven Reid (ankle) and Zoltan Gera (knee) remain out. Arsenal are without Bacary Sagna (broken leg) Abou Diaby (calf), Mikel Arteta (ankle), Per Mertesacker (ankle) and Jack Wilshere (ankle), while Theo Walcott is doubtful with a hamstring problem.

West Brom are unbeaten in four going into Sunday's game and have won four and drawn one of their last six at home, keeping three straight clean-sheets in the process. The Gunners have failed to win in four and have drawn their last three. Robin van Persie is one goal short of the Premier League record for goals scored in a single season.