Amy Lawrence's match report
FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
Just enough time for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to come on for Aaron Ramsey. A few seconds of running about for Maitland-Niles, and that’s his lot! Arsenal were the better side, and deserved their win. One massive caveat, though: on another night, West Brom would have been awarded an early penalty, after which things might have panned out differently. But they weren’t, and they didn’t, and Arsenal move up to fifth. West Brom, having acquitted themselves well, drop to 12th. It’s been a blast. Thanks for reading. Nighty night!
90 min +2: Arsenal press and probe for that third goal, but it doesn’t look as though they’re going to get it.
90 min: There will be three added minutes.
89 min: West Brom press Arsenal back a bit, Phillips causing a bit of bother down the right. He feeds the ball into the box. Mustafi slices an awful clearance, but the ball somehow squeaks through a forest of players and suddenly Arsenal are breaking upfield! The ball ends up with Ramsey, to the right of the box and one of many options. He shoots low and hard, and his effort is kicked away by Foster.
88 min: Some pretty Arsenal passing. Then the ball loops to Giroud, level with the left-hand post, ten yards out. He brings it under control, spins, and lays off for Xhaka, who leans back and hoicks a shot over the bar from the edge of the box. A three-goal defeat would be cruel on West Brom. Arsenal have been the better side, but the Baggies have played their part in a good match, without getting the breaks.
86 min: West Brom have given a good account of themselves tonight. And have a couple of hard-luck stories to tell. But their race looks run now. Arsenal press them back. Bellerin hooks in from the right. Dawson rises to batter a header clear with Giroud lurking.
84 min: The corner leads to nothing of note.
83 min: Before the corner can be taken, Lacazette and Sanchez are replaced by Giroud and Ozil. Not a bad bench Arsenal have there, huh.
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82 min: Some head tennis in the West Brom box leads to a corner for Arsenal on the right. From the set piece, the ball’s worked to Bellerin, on the edge of the box. He unleashes a fierce riser towards the top right. It’d be in the net were it not for Rodriguez, who bravely got in the way, the ball pinging off his bonce and out for another corner.
80 min: Dawson comes through the back of Sanchez. He gets a little of the ball, which is what probably saves him from getting a second yellow. That was taking liberties in his situation, though. He was really chancing his arm. He’s very lucky to still be on the pitch.
78 min: More of that lull. And then Monreal turns on the jets, races down the inside-left channel, one-twos with Sanchez, and very nearly breaks clear into the box. The ball breaks back to Sanchez, who tries to guide a cheeky curler into the top right from a very long way out. Foster gathers.
76 min: It’s been a rollercoaster ride all evening, but suddenly the match has gone a little flat. Shame, but we’ve had value for money so far.
74 min: A final roll of the dice by Tony Pulis: a still-seething Allan Nyom is replaced by Matt Phillips.
73 min: And now Rondon pops up on the right, turning into space from a throw and busting into the box. He earns a corner, which is dealt with easily enough by Arsenal.
71 min: Rondon threatens to burst clear into the Arsenal box, chasing a long pass down the left. But he’s getting harried and hassled, and can’t quite get the ball under control.
70 min: Lacazette is so close to his hat-trick! Sanchez, deep on the left, finds Lacazette in the area down the inside-right. The striker takes the ball down from the air wonderfully, and rounds Foster on the right, but slices hysterically over the bar. That would have been something.
69 min: Arsenal really have their tails up now, and tear at West Brom en masse. Poor decisions from Lacazette and then Monreal put a stop to their gallop, though, the move breaking down on the edge of the area.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 WBA (Lacazette 67 pen)
Lacazette slots the ball into the bottom right, and though Foster went the right way, he had no chance. Perfectly placed, and sweetly struck. Nyom, who was booked for his role in the penalty award, applauds the referee sarcastically. Careful, now!
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Penalty for Arsenal!
66 min: After the events of the first half, a decision like this was inevitable. Ramsey bursts down the left, reaches the byline, and runs into the box. He’s barged to the ground by Nyom, who has attempting a shoulder charge but hit his man from behind. On the touchline, Tony Pulis sinks into a quiet seethe, the most frightening type.
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65 min: Bellerin one-twos his way down the inside-right channel, first with Elneny, then Ramsey, and earns a corner. Bellerin’s been very bright tonight. The set piece is dealt with easily enough, though.
64 min: London Buses dept. Salomon Rondon replaces Hal Robson-Kanu.
63 min: The first change of the evening is made by West Bromwich Albion: James Morrison comes on for Jake Livermore.
61 min: Sanchez twists and turns down the left, and very nearly finds Ramsey free on the penalty spot with a cute ball inside. But Ramsey can’t quite battle his way into possession, and isn’t able to get a shot away.
60 min: A free kick for West Brom, deep on the right. Krychowiak sends a teasing floater into the Arsenal box. Cech comes a long way off his line and punches confidently clear, taking out Hegazy as he does so. No foul, all part of the rough and tumble of Premier League football. But the West Brom defender felt that all right.
59 min: West Brom launch their first sortie into Arsenal territory in this half. Nyom wins a throw deep down the right, and takes it himself. It’s easily cleared. All of which is not much. But it’s something. Before that little sequence, only four percent of the second half had been contested in Arsenal’s final third.
57 min: And now Krychowiak goes into the book for a cynical clip on Elneny, who had checked back as the pair scampered down the Arsenal left. A free kick just to the side of the Baggies box. Sanchez takes, and again looks to cause trouble at the near post, but there’s nobody there to attempt mid-air video-game gymnastics this time.
55 min: Rodriguez is lucky to stay out of the book after stepping on Monreal’s tootsies. It wasn’t aggressive, but it was late and clumsy.
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53 min: Free kick to Arsenal wide on the right, from a deep position. Arsenal load the box. Koscielny’s delivery is appalling; he fails to beat the first man. But Arsenal are soon coming back at the Baggies, Bellerin forcing a corner down the left. The set piece is flicked to the near post, where Mustafi spins and nearly dispatches a mid-air back-heel into the top left from a tight angle! That would have been something else had it whistled into the net, but Foster was right behind it and gathered cleanly.
52 min: Kolasinac bursts down the inside-left channel. He’s got ahead of Nyom, and fires low into the West Brom box. Elneny traps and spins, setting up Lacazette on the penalty spot. He must score! But his shot is deflected over the bar by Gibbs, a marvellous last-ditch challenge, and the resulting corner comes to nought.
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50 min: Dawson is booked for a pointless hack at the back of Sanchez’s legs near the centre circle. That was fairly witless, and he’ll needlessly play the rest of the match under unnecessary pressure. With Evans also on the tightrope, Sanchez and Lacazette could do worse than embark on a dribbling frenzy.
48 min: Lacazette buzzes around the front of the West Brom box. He slips the ball wide right for Bellerin, who lashes a stunning ball along the face of goal. Had any Arsenal attacker taken a gamble ... but they didn’t, and the ball rolls harmlessly out to the left of goal.
47 min: Sanchez tries to zip down the left, but runs into a wall called Nyom. West Brom attempt a break upfield through Livermore, but that move falls apart. The ping-pong continues as Sanchez has another look along the left flank, but his shot-cum-cross from 25 yards isn’t much cop.
And we’re off again! West Brom, who were bright and impressive in that first half, get the second period underway. No changes. Meanwhile here’s Sean Swift with more reasoned observations, and from a referee’s perspective’s to boot: “I’m a new referee working my way up here in the States, but even at the U-13 level that I’m working at right now, we’re strongly encouraged to let play go on in any case where the play can still possibly develop, such as when the fouled player stays on his feet. In most cases we can stop play after a few seconds and bring it back for a free kick, but I can sympathise with the referee that bringing it back for a penalty kick after already playing advantage would be a massively brave decision ... especially with the bright lights and TV cameras of the Premier League.”
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HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-0 WBA
Nothing comes from the second corner, and that’s that for the first half. Phew! The scoreline doesn’t tell half the story. Both sides have legitimate penalty-related grievances, while West Brom have also missed a couple of gilt-edged chances. A highly entertaining first half, with the promise of more fun coming up soon. Don’t go anywhere, now!
45 min: It’s half-cleared by Arsenal. Then Evans sprays wide right for the excellent Krychowiak, who loops into the middle. The ball’s missed by Cech and Bellerin. Barry, just to the left of goal, keeps the ball in play with a cushioned header. Rodriguez tries to poke home into the bottom left. His effort is deflected out for another corner.
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44 min: Dawson is impeded by Kolasinac as he attempts to bomb down the right. Sanchez doesn’t like the decision to award a free kick, and is booked by the referee for making his point a little too forcefully. A light case of hands-on. The ref calls his captain Koscielny over, in the hope of calming Sanchez down. Sanchez eventually puts a lid on it. And then the free kick, which is eyebrowed out of play for a corner. From which...
42 min: Another chance for West Brom. Nyom, tight on the right touchline, whips into the Arsenal box. Robson-Kanu flicks on. Rodriguez slides in, but misses the ball by a toenail. The ball flies just wide left of goal. Arsenal are clinging onto this lead right now. Meanwhile here’s everyone’s favourite voice of reason, Gary Naylor, on that penalty non-decision: “I don’t think football (okay, association football) has much to learn from rugby on or off the field, but I do like their advantage rule. Allowing a phase of play to be completed before returning (if required) to the foul, seems fair and would cut out some diving. Oddly, it is applied from time to time by referees but not consistently, so it can be done.”
40 min: The resulting corner comes to nothing. But Rodriguez is soon coming back at Arsenal, desperate to make amends. He sends a low fizzer inches wide of the left-hand post from 20 yards, though Cech had it covered.
38 min: How are West Brom not level?! Krychowiak powers down the left with Arsenal light at the back. He floats a ball across towards Rodriguez in the middle, with Cech nowhere to be seen. Rodriguez heads down, and goalwards, though not powerfully. That allows Monreal to high-kick off the line, and over the bar, having shaped his body in mid-air like a treble clef! What a clearance! Though it probably has to go down as a chance spurned. Monreal should never have been given the chance to play the hero.
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36 min: Sanchez sends a dipping, curling effort past the wall and down towards the bottom right. It’s not far away. Just wide. Another magic effort. And once again, Foster would have been nowhere near it had it been on target.
35 min: Lacazette looks to round Evans in a central position, 25 yards from goal. Evans hangs a leg out. Lacazette goes to ground, while Evans goes in the book. Another free kick in a dangerous position. Sanchez’s eyes twinkle.
33 min: Arsenal are beginning to turn the screw. Sanchez slides a pass down the inside-right, which very nearly results in Ramsey rounding Foster on the outside and scoring. But he can’t get a shot away from a tight angle. Then Ramsey quarterbacks from deep towards the left, forcing Nyom to head out for a corner. From the set piece, sent deep, Krychowiak tugs away at Sanchez, who goes over and slips into an animated funk. Yet again, no penalty kick. On another day, we’d have had three now.
31 min: Meanwhile as advertised, here’s that alternative view on the penalty non-decision, courtesy of Ben Simmons. “Isn’t that a perfect advantage played by Madley? West Brom had two shots at goal as a result, one of them pretty much an open goal from around the penalty spot.”
28 min: Before that, though, here’s Monreal breaking into the West Brom box down the left, being sent scampering into space by a lovely pitching wedge of a ball from Sanchecz. Monreal’s never quite in control, juggling the ball in the hope it’ll sit up for a shot. Nyom is right on his shoulder, and tugging away like billy-o. Eventually Monreal toe-punts the ball well wide left. It would have been a harsh penalty, but you’ve seen them given, and Nyom was certainly taking a risk by repeatedly nipping away at his opponent. Had Monreal elected to tumble, the ref would have had a decision to make.
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25 min: Good work by Sanchez down the right, and he’s very nearly finding Lacazette in the middle. Arsenal were looking shaky before the goal, but the lead has given them a real confidence boost. “Surely the one thing that encourages players to dive more that anything else is a referee not giving a penalty when a player stays on their feet despite being fouled?” asks Jim Denvir. “What possible incentive is there not to go down if you get penalised for staying on your feet?” An alternative viewpoint coming up, what with us all being adults.
23 min: West Brom continue to look dangerous down the left flank. Robson-Kanu chases after a long ball, brings it down, and lays off for Rodriguez, who looks to cut inside. But he’s never quite in control of the ball, and Mustafi is able to skelp clear. Arsenal transfer the ball up the other end in short order, and the on-fire Lacazette looks for yet another home goal with a chase down the middle. But he can’t quite latch onto the hoof. This match has been good breezy fun so far.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 WBA (Lacazette 20)
Sanchez looks for the top right with a lazy wave of the magic wand. He looks for the top right. Foster tips lightly onto the post. The ball drops to Lacazette, who can’t miss from a couple of yards with his header. West Brom aren’t particularly happy with the award of that free kick, suggesting there wasn’t too much contact between Evans and Elneny. But it’s no good: the home side take the lead, and the Emirates is bouncing!
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18 min: Sanchez and Bellerin buzz around the edge of the West Brom area. The ball breaks loose. Elneny gathers it and is immediately upended by Evans. A free kick to the right of the D. From which ...
15 min: West Brom are giving as good as they’re getting in these early stages. Arsenal look a little uneasy. Koscielny, under no pressure whatsoever, flies a simple pass deep into the stand. The crowd react accordingly. “Barry would have played 733 Premier League matches had he not been suspended for all those yellow cards,” quips Gary Naylor. “But, as an Evertonian, congratulations and thanks are due from me.” And from Xabi Alonso, for his indirect role in his big move to Real Madrid?
12 min: This match is lovely and open. Robson-Kanu troubles Bellerin down the West Brom left, the Arsenal man only able to half-clear. Gibbs, rushing onto the scene, goes for the spectacular, and very nearly achieves it, lashing just wide and high of the top left from 20 yards. That would have been some strike by the former Arsenal man!
11 min: Space for Bellerin out on the right, found by a lovely crossfield pass from Elneny. Bellerin chips high to the near post, where Ramsey aims for the top right with his header. But it’s high and wide, from close range.
10 min: On the touchline, Tony Pulis indulges in a light fume. You can’t really blame him. Arsenal really got away with one there.
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8 min: A lull. And then Rodriguez is sent scampering down the inside-left channel. He checks when he’s in the area, and is clipped towards the ground by a sliding Mustafi. It’s a penalty all day long, but the ref doesn’t blow, partly because Rodriguez is too honest, springing to his feet and curling across Cech towards the bottom right. Cech tips the ball onto the right-hand post. It comes out to Livermore, who, surprised, slaps a first-time shot wide right. West Brom are within their rights to feel very annoyed.
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5 min: Sanchez, exchanging crisp passes with Lacazette down the inside-left, doesn’t need asking twice to go to ground when brushed by Dawson. It’s a foul and a free kick to the left of the D, purchased very cheaply. Sanchez, having earned it, takes the free kick himself. He sends a dipping screamer over the wall and towards the bottom-right corner. It’s millimetres wide. Had that been on target, it was a goal, because Foster was rooted to the spot, Sanchez having given him the eyes. A glorious effort.
3 min: The set piece doesn’t lead to much. Kolasinac tries to find Lacazette in the middle with a cross from a deep position on the left, but it’s nowhere near his man.
2 min: Some space in the middle for Ramsey, who attempts to switch the play to the right with an ambitious crossfield ball towards Bellerin. Gibbs, back on his old turf, steps forward to intercept and blooter clear. But Arsenal are coming straight back at West Brom, Sanchez winning a corner down the left.
And we’re off! Arsenal get the ball rolling. Two players, Lacazette and Sanchez, by the centre spot, you don’t see that so much these days. The hosts keeping it old-school.
The teams are out! Arsenal are in their storied Herbert Chapman clobber, red shirts with white sleeves. West Bromwich Albion sport their equally famous navy-and-white-striped tops. A blast of noise at the Emirates as the Gunners and the Throstles take to the pitch. We’ll be off in a minute!
Tony Pulis speaks! “We caused Manchester City a lot of problems going forward last week. Fingers crossed we can carry it on tonight. We have worked to make sure we are tight at the back, so we can be a bit loose on the other side of the pitch.”
Arsene Wenger speaks! “We have responded well to the defeat at Anfield. We have to make it up, we are focused to picking up points. At home we have done well and we are looking to continue that. Alexis Sanchez looks as though he is back physically and ready to play. West Brom are an uneasy team to play for everybody: their commitment, their organisation, they are dangerous on the counter, and of course their set pieces. We have to improve our concentration.”
Gareth Barry speaks ahead of breaking the Premier League appearance record. “It’s a nice moment for myself. I’m very proud. But I’m going to put it to the back of my mind, and just try to win the game. I can think about it afterwards.” An old pro to his boots. One of the reasons he’s lasted this long, huh.
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A couple of changes for Arsenal. Danny Welbeck is injured, while Alex Iwobi is left out. Mohamed Elneny makes his first start since the opening day of the season, while Alexis Sanchez is named in the starting XI for the first time this campaign at home.
West Brom make three changes. James Morrison, Chris Brunt and Matt Phillips drop to the bench; Allan Nyom, Jake Livermore and Hal Robson-Kanu step up.
And it’s a big night for Gareth Barry. Unless he does himself a mischief in the warm-up, he’ll make his 633rd appearance in the Premier League tonight. That’s a new Premier League record, beating the mark set by Ryan Giggs. Of course, Giggs played 672 matches in the top flight of English football, but the first few came during the old First Division era, so this is where we are.
Tonight's teams
Arsenal: Cech, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Elneny, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Sanchez, Lacazette.
Subs: Mertesacker, Wilshere, Ozil, Giroud, Ospina, Walcott, Maitland-Niles.
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Dawson, Hegazi, Evans, Nyom, Livermore, Krychowiak, Barry, Gibbs, Rodriguez, Robson-Kanu.
Subs: Yacob, Morrison, Rondon, Phillips, Brunt, Myhill, McClean.
Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire).
Welcome to the Monday Night Football ...
... in which Arsenal try to build more momentum after their decent showing at Chelsea, while West Bromwich Albion hope to rediscover their early-season form, having given Manchester City a scare in the League Cup last week.
The Baggies haven’t won at Arsenal since September 2010. But they did give the Gunners a working over at the Hawthorns in March, and were only seen off here last time round very late on Boxing Day. So while Arsenal are hot favourites tonight, Tony Pulis and his men will fancy their chances too. Should be fun. Kick-off at the Emirates is at 8pm BST. It’s on!
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