Arsenal v West Brom preview – Tony Pulis hoping to end his Emirates hoodoo

But while his home form against old foe Arsene Wenger may be exemplary, with five wins, two draws and just one defeat from eight meetings, his record away from home is abysmal.

Pulis has lost all 10 of his matches against Wenger in North London. The Emirates Stadium may not boast the most intimidating of atmospheres, but it hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Albion’s head coach.

“It seems to be chalk and cheese for some reason,” he admitted. “My record against other clubs isn’t as black and white. I don’t know why. Let’s hope it changes Monday.

“There have been games where we have been really close. Last year, (Oliver) Giroud scored late on (to win 1-0).”

Albion actually have one more point than Arsenal this season, and could move into the top six if they win, but the hosts will still be firm favourites.

“We are going to a place where, no disrespect, everything they’ve got is on a different level to what we’ve got,” said Pulis.

“They have some outstanding individual players who can win games on their own. They have players who can change games, they’re leg beaters.

“You have to accept that. But it doesn’t mean you can’t go there and get something out of the game.”

The Baggies boss reckons his side will take heart from a valiant second-half display against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup last week. Pep Guardiola’s team have scored 20 goals without reply in four of their last five games, but the anomaly was their hard-fought 2-1 win at Albion.

Pulis tinkered with his formation for that match and stuck two up front in order to press City high up the pitch.

He refused to reveal whether he’d repeat that trick at the Emirates, saying: “There are teams that bypass you early so it’s not good rushing forward when they are bypassing you.

“And that doesn’t mean by just kicking balls forward, they will play through the pitch really quickly.

“It’s imperative you understand you can’t then rush forward because they will pick you off right, left and centre.

“Man City are a team that like to keep the ball and it’s a slow build-up so you can try and force early on in their final third.”

Pulis will have Jake Livermore back available after the vice-captain returned from his rest, and Nacer Chadli and Oliver Burke are expected to return to contention too following their injuries. However, Christ Brunt faces a late fitness test on a slight calf strain.

Whether Livermore gets back into the team, however, is another matter.

Gareth Barry is guaranteed to start his record-breaking Premier League game, and it’s highly unlikely the impressive Grzegorz Krychowiak will be dropped.

Livermore could replace James Morrison if Pulis decides to shore things up completely, but that midfield trio lacked penetration away at Brighton.

Gareth McAuley returned from injury in the League Cup, but he struggled against Gabriel Jesus and was beaten to the ball by Giroud in this corresponding fixture last season.

Ahmed Hegazi played well against West Ham last time out, so is expected to keep his place.

Whichever team he picks, Pulis will be desperate to win his first game at the Emirates, even if the rivalry between him and Wenger has cooled in recent years.

"Arsene has had a remarkable run and achieved a hell of a lot on and off the pitch," said Pulis. "He's left a legacy, whichever way you cook it. Managers have ups and downs but he's done a remarkable job there."

Likely line-ups

Albion (4-2-3-1): Foster, Dawson, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs, Barry, Krychowiak, Phillips, Rodriguez, McClean, Rondon. Subs: Myhill, McAuley, Nyom, Livermore, Burke, Chadli, Robson-Kanu.

Arsenal (3-4-3): Cech, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Kolasinac, Ozil, Lacazette, Sanchez. Subs: Ospina, Holding, Mertesacker, Elneny, Walcott, Iwobi, Giroud.

Albion's key man - Ben Foster

Arsenal rarely struggle to create chances at home, so Foster will have to be on tip-top form if the Baggies want to come home with anything.

Arsenal dangerman - Alexandre Lacazette

The French striker may not have got off to as much of an eye-catching start in the Premier League as Alvaro Morata, but two goals from four starts is a tidy return from a steady start. He's also had another perfectly legal goal against Stoke City ruled out for offside.