Image source, Getty Images

Ah. There were better signs for Albion, but not any more. Santi Cazorla skips around the Albion defence before dinking the ball back from the left-hand byeline on to the head of Danny Welbeck. The England striker plants a firm header past Ben Foster, who can't claw it out.

Albion have shown much more attacking intent since the break, winning a corner which Joleon Lescott heads wide. Better signs for the home side...

"Shooooot!" That's the cry from the Arsenal fans behind the goal which their team is attacking as Alexis Sanchez sizes one up. But a wall of Albion shirts stand between him and the net, Craig Dawson putting in the block.

Shockwaves at Anfield as skipper Steven Gerrard is dropped to the bench for the visit of Stoke - 16 years to the day he made his senior Reds debut.

Stephen Vincent:, external Oooh lucky Arsenal there, Berahino clearly onside.

Madan Roka:, external WBA need to get Berahino one on one with Mertesacker on a counter-attack.

Ayush:, external The Ox should come on for Flamini and push Ramsey to the holding role. Need these three points!

James Hodgson:, external What does Podolski have to do to get a game?

Image source, Getty Images

Finally we're seeing signs of life at either end. Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker scuffs a low shot wide after Ben Foster goes walkabout from the Albion goal as he tries to catch a high ball. Then, Albion forward Saido Berahino drag a shot wide of the near post as he cuts in from the left.

Breaking team news from Old Trafford where defender Marcos Rojo starts for Manchester United - his first appearance in the starting line-up since 2 November. That's a good start to the day for United.

You can't pull an opponent's shirt and expect to get away with it. West Brom winger Graham Dorrans is the first man to go into the notebook for tugging back Kieran Gibbs.

Arsenal chance. The Gunners create an opening for Aaron Ramsey, but the Baggies defence slam shut the door to block the Welshman's shot from just inside the area.

Arsenal have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six Premier League games that have been 0-0 at half-time

Barb, Derby: What did Oxlade-Chamberlain do wrong when we are carrying Ramsey and Cazorla? Beggars belief. Where's the pace gone from the last match? Criminal!

Former England winger Chris Waddle at The Hawthorns
BBC Radio 5 live

"In the first half Arsenal had all the play - Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey could have scored, Santi Cazorla had three chances - but they went in without a lead. Against Swansea Arsenal had all the chances and paid the price. Against Manchester United they had a lot of chances in the first half, and paid the price.

"If Alan Irvine gets his changes right and West Brom start to improve, there is a danger of the same happening here too."

More attacking intent now from the home side. Baggies fans roar on their team, imploring them to stick the ball into the mixer quicker. That they don't do and Arsenal nick back possession.

Saido Berahino drifts out to the left, leaving Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny napping, to latch on to an Albion pass. The Baggies' top scorer finds himself in acres of space as he bears down on the Gunners goal - only to be stopped in his tracks by the referee's whistle. The flag is up for offside. Tight.

Image source, Getty Images

Albion have another 45 minutes to feed themselves from the goal trough. Game on.

There is a drought in the West Midlands - a goal drought. West Brom, who have not even had a shot on goal, have not scored through one of their own players in 315 minutes. Their last goal was 268 minutes ago - and that came off the thigh of Leicester's Esteban Cambiasso.

Erik Cummins:, external Too many #wba players looking for a safe and easy option when attacking.

Kiriama16:, external Welbeck will eventually find himself on the bench, he is simply goal shy.

Paul Gibbons:, external The most interesting part of that first half for me was going into the kitchen to make a cup of tea.

BBC Radio 5 live

Ahead of the today's early kick-off, Hull City winger Robert Snodgrass talked about West Brom using their pace to get in behind Arsenal's lumbering backline. They haven't listened.

"Arsenal are hard to stop when they're in full flow but there are gaps," he told BBC Radio 5 live. "Video analysis shows the amount of space behind Per Mertesacker, who is a very good defender, but is not the quickest. If West Brom, particularly Saido Berahino, can get into these gaps they will create chances.

"When we went to the Emirates earlier in the season, we sat back, hit them on the counter and we were looking to expose those gaps. The good managers tell their players 'use your qualities and exploit their weaknesses'."

Manchester United midfielder Maourane Fellaini on Twitter:, external "Me and a dream team ;-) we are ready for today. And you? Ready?"

Wonder if this counts as early team news from Old Trafford? Radamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo are both in there.

Image source, @fellainiM