Arsène Wenger and Tony Pulis have never really seen eye-to-eye so it was a little surprising to see the West Brom boss defend the Frenchman ahead of Thursday’s Premier League clash.

Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion side travel to north London to face the Gunners on Thursday evening. It should have been a game which challenged Arsenal’s title credentials but, instead, will be more pivotal in the race for Champions League football.

However, despite dropping out of contention for the title, Pulis thinks the criticism of the Arsenal boss is too harsh.

“Arsenal can beat any team in Europe on their day,” Pulis said on Wednesday. West Brom themselves beat the Gunners back in November but Pulis believes injuries are the main reason Wenger’s side have struggled.

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Tony Pulis thinks Arsenal have been unlucky with injuries this season. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

“Arsene has been unfortunate with injuries this year, he’s missed big players at important times.

“Once all those players are fit he’s got a squad big enough and strong enough to win this league. He’ll be disappointed with the inconsistency.

“Lots of clubs will look at it and think it was a missed opportunity. Leicester and Tottenham have been the best two teams in the league and they’re first and second.”

As Pulis points out, other clubs will feel the same way. Manchester United are chasing us for a place in the Champions League, Manchester City are only just above us and Chelsea won’t even be in Europe next season despite winning the title a year ago.However, all of the aforementioned clubs are set to change manager and

However, all of the aforementioned clubs are set to change manager and Liverpool already have done so. Maybe, inadvertently, there’s something in that.