Capital One Cup: Pressure is on Arsenal tonight claims West Brom assistant manager
Kevin Keen has been preparing the Baggies for the third round clash
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Your support makes all the difference.West Brom assistant head coach Kevin Keen insists all the pressure is on Arsenal ahead of their Capital One Cup third round clash.
Albion's impressive campaign last year was slightly tainted by their failure to make a fist of cup runs last season as they exited both the League and FA Cup at the third round stage.
However, the Gunners have even more reason to crave cup success as they bid to end an eight-year trophy drought.
Keen said: "Arsenal are under a bit of pressure because they've not won a major trophy for a while.
"I think it's a good draw for us because the crowd will get behind us. I like the game."
Much is made of Arsenal's trophy drought but Keen is among those in Arsene Wenger's corner.
"You can't knock Arsene's achievements," he said.
"He has been magnificent and has been working under financial restrictions and they have come through that. With Mesut Ozil joining, they are going to be up there."
Keen believes there is every reason to approach the competition with enthusiasm thanks to the additions made to the squad this summer.
"A cup run would be fantastic," he said.
"Ask the Swansea supporters or the Wigan supporters...for the supporters of West Brom, any sort of cup run would be fantastic.
"Certainly getting anywhere near the final makes it really exciting."
The likes of Nicolas Anelka, Scott Sinclair, Stephane Sessegnon and Victor Anichebe were all brought in over the summer and Keen hopes a stronger squad will aid their cup ambitions.
He added: "The club gave us a couple of gold nuggets on deadline day and we hope we can produce some good football and score the goals which will enable us to win games.
"QPR last season in the FA Cup was really disappointing and we want to have a real crack at it.
"We will have a real go at it and we want to win things for the supporters. They want us to pay in semi-finals and go to Wembley and the players want to be remembered for winning things."
Striker Shane Long could return to the fold for the Gunners' visit following a recent knee injury.
Republic of Ireland international Long is in contention along with captain Chris Brunt, who missed Saturday's win over Sunderland with a groin injury.
PA
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