Sun 24th May - Ewood Park
By James Dall Last updated: 14th August 2008
Mowbray: Arsenal test
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray expects to face a dangerous Arsenal side despite their depleted squad.
The Baggies travel to Emirates Stadium on Saturday as the 2008/09 Premier League season gets under way, live on Sky Sports 1.
Arsenal are missing a number of key players for the clash, including Euro 2008 winner Cesc Fabregas.
But Mowbray is under no illusions that his men will be facing a weaker Gunners starting XI.
He told Sky Sports News: "I genuinely think that the strength of Arsenal isn't necessarily about the individuals, it's about the team.
"The quality they possess, when you go and watch them, does not change. That is why they got to the 2007 Carling Cup final with practically their youth team.
"The way they play, the philosophy in the way they move the ball and the movement of the team is their strength.
"Therefore, I don't necessarily see it as a huge loss that some players are out.
"Of course I have total respect for the likes of Cesc Fabregas, who is of course a loss, but the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie and William Gallas are not bad."

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Histon vs West Brom |
| Wednesday 15th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:30 | Nafta vs West Brom |
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 18:00 | Varteks vs West Brom |
| Wednesday 22nd July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Shrewsbury vs West Brom |
| Friday 24th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Kidderminster vs West Brom |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Walsall vs West Brom |
| Tuesday 28th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Swindon vs West Brom |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Port Vale vs West Brom |
| Friday 31st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Cheltenham vs West Brom |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs AS Nancy |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:30 | West Brom vs Newcastle |
| Tuesday 11th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 19:45 | Bury vs West Brom |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Nottm Forest vs West Brom |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Peterborough vs West Brom |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:20 | West Brom vs Ipswich |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Utd vs West Brom |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Plymouth |
| Tuesday 15th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | West Brom vs Doncaster |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs West Brom |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Crystal Palace |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 9th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 3 - 1 Wigan | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 1 - 0 West Brom | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 3 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 19th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 4 - 2 West Brom | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 2 - 2 West Brom | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Stoke | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 1 - 1 Bolton | |
| Monday 16th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Sunday 22nd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 2 - 3 Newcastle | |
| Tuesday 3rd February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Burnley 3 - 1 West Brom | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 2 West Brom | |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 0 - 5 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 24th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| West Brom 2 - 2 Burnley | |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 3 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Tuesday 13th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Peterborough 0 - 2 West Brom | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Sheffield United | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Swansea City | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Watford | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 0 |
Jeremy Peace has shrugged off suggestions that new West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo is too inexperienced.
West Bromwich Albion have played down rumours that Jonathan Greening could leave the club.
West Brom full-back Paul Robinson could be on his way to Bolton as the Baggies consider letting him leave.
Sky Sports has announced its first live games for the season, including Boro, Newcastle and WBA.
New West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo says he is happy to press ahead with a deal for Simon Cox.