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Arsenal finally managed their first win in four matches after two penalties from Mikel Arteta gave them a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal
Wojciech Szczesny - 6
He had so little to do he could afford to have a picnic on the pitch and still be able to collect his clean sheet bonus - that was how little West Brom troubled Arsenal.
He had so little to do he could afford to have a picnic on the pitch and still be able to collect his clean sheet bonus - that was how little West Brom troubled Arsenal.
Bacary Sagna - 5.5
He could not keep up with the pace of the game at times and his attempts to cross the ball were easily dealt with by the West Brom defenders.
He could not keep up with the pace of the game at times and his attempts to cross the ball were easily dealt with by the West Brom defenders.
Per Mertesacker - 6.5
The big German was well placed to intercept balls from the dull West Brom midfield and was not troubled by the aerial balls either.
The big German was well placed to intercept balls from the dull West Brom midfield and was not troubled by the aerial balls either.
Thomas Vermaelen - 7
Although the threat from Long and Odemwingie was non existent, he still came up with a couple of last ditch tackles to deny the Baggies any clear cut opportunity on goal. Well positioned to cover for Gibbs whenever his man got the better of him as well.
Although the threat from Long and Odemwingie was non existent, he still came up with a couple of last ditch tackles to deny the Baggies any clear cut opportunity on goal. Well positioned to cover for Gibbs whenever his man got the better of him as well.
Kieran Gibbs - 7
Used his pace well to intercept any misplaced passes and at the same time sneak in behind Reid with Gervinho as they constantly pressured down the left. Showed slight improvement in his crosses from the wider areas of the pitch as well.
Used his pace well to intercept any misplaced passes and at the same time sneak in behind Reid with Gervinho as they constantly pressured down the left. Showed slight improvement in his crosses from the wider areas of the pitch as well.
Mikel Arteta - 7.5
After missing a crucial penalty against Fulham, he kept his spot kicks simple this time round and fired it down the middle twice to give the Arsenal faithful something to cheer about at last.
After missing a crucial penalty against Fulham, he kept his spot kicks simple this time round and fired it down the middle twice to give the Arsenal faithful something to cheer about at last.
Jack Wilshere - 8.5
Wilshere was clearly Arsenal's most exciting player to watch. His driving runs and inch perfect passes involved was a joy as he orchestrated the Arsenal attack.
Wilshere was clearly Arsenal's most exciting player to watch. His driving runs and inch perfect passes involved was a joy as he orchestrated the Arsenal attack.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (78' off) - 7
He taught West Brom an important lesson in playing to the whistle in the second goal. He t suffered when he switched flanks with Gervinho but order was restored after the break when he was rampaging continuously down the right for Arsenal.
He taught West Brom an important lesson in playing to the whistle in the second goal. He t suffered when he switched flanks with Gervinho but order was restored after the break when he was rampaging continuously down the right for Arsenal.
Santi Cazorla (87' off) - 7
He was in the heart of Arsenal's best moves in the match but for some strange reason unable to find the back of the net from open play. Replays from the first penalty claim showed that there was no contact on the Spainard as he went down to earn the penalty. Could we be starting to see the other side of Cazorla?
He was in the heart of Arsenal's best moves in the match but for some strange reason unable to find the back of the net from open play. Replays from the first penalty claim showed that there was no contact on the Spainard as he went down to earn the penalty. Could we be starting to see the other side of Cazorla?
Gervinho (81' off) - 3
Made good runs behind the West Brom defence but lacked the intelligence in the follow up. Had so many chances to kill the game but his finishing was atrocious as he kept trying the same predictable moves - go down the flank, cut it, shoot.
Made good runs behind the West Brom defence but lacked the intelligence in the follow up. Had so many chances to kill the game but his finishing was atrocious as he kept trying the same predictable moves - go down the flank, cut it, shoot.
Olivier Giroud - 5
His positioning was a bit off in the game and seemed to be of a different wavelength with the rest of his team mates, always misreading their intentions and sending the ball in the opposite direction.
His positioning was a bit off in the game and seemed to be of a different wavelength with the rest of his team mates, always misreading their intentions and sending the ball in the opposite direction.
Substitutions
Francis Coquelin (78' on)
N/A
N/A
Tomas Rosicky (81' on)
N/A
N/A
Lukas Podolski (87' on)
N/A
N/A
West Brom
Boaz Myhill - 6
Interestingly, he had to be cautioned after 10 minutes into the match for time wasting! He must have regretted it later when he was seen scrambling around to get the ball for his goal kick. Myhill did not have much to do apart from the identical penalies he conceded.
Interestingly, he had to be cautioned after 10 minutes into the match for time wasting! He must have regretted it later when he was seen scrambling around to get the ball for his goal kick. Myhill did not have much to do apart from the identical penalies he conceded.
Steven Reid - 6
A tackle in the penalty box gave Arsenal the lead in the 26th minute but it seemed like a harsh decision. He allowed Gervinho to freely run with the ball but fortunately for Reid it didn't trouble Myhill at all.
A tackle in the penalty box gave Arsenal the lead in the 26th minute but it seemed like a harsh decision. He allowed Gervinho to freely run with the ball but fortunately for Reid it didn't trouble Myhill at all.
Jonas Olsson - 6.5
Olsson posed a physical threat in both penalty boxes and managed to frustrate Giroud as he did not allow him much space to work with. He did not deserve to be on a receiving end of a 2-0 defeat.
Olsson posed a physical threat in both penalty boxes and managed to frustrate Giroud as he did not allow him much space to work with. He did not deserve to be on a receiving end of a 2-0 defeat.
Liam Ridgewell (6' off) - 5
Left the pitch before he could break a sweat after he picked up a mysterious-looking leg injury.
Left the pitch before he could break a sweat after he picked up a mysterious-looking leg injury.
Gareth McAuley - 7
A no-nonsense defender who never left anything to chance. Rose to the occasion after the departure of Ridgewell and enjoyed the fierce aerial battles with Giroud and Mertesacker.
A no-nonsense defender who never left anything to chance. Rose to the occasion after the departure of Ridgewell and enjoyed the fierce aerial battles with Giroud and Mertesacker.
James Morrison - 5.5
He was supposed to be the architect for the in-form West Brom side but failed to create any chances whatsoever.
He was supposed to be the architect for the in-form West Brom side but failed to create any chances whatsoever.
Chris Brunt - 5
Had the only chance in the first half for West Brom which barely tested Szczesny. He later hacked down Oxlade-Chamberlain for a legitimate penalty appeal and Arsenal doubled their lead.
Had the only chance in the first half for West Brom which barely tested Szczesny. He later hacked down Oxlade-Chamberlain for a legitimate penalty appeal and Arsenal doubled their lead.
Youssuf Mulumbu - 7
A solid anchor man who always appears at the right place at the right time. A player with an awesome work rate and stubbornly resisted Arsenal in the final third.
A solid anchor man who always appears at the right place at the right time. A player with an awesome work rate and stubbornly resisted Arsenal in the final third.
Zoltan Gera (76' off) - 5
Had a poor game and was too afraid to even try his luck from distance. Overran by the dominant Wilshere and Arteta.
Had a poor game and was too afraid to even try his luck from distance. Overran by the dominant Wilshere and Arteta.
Shane Long - 5
All he could do was to make simple passes to a team mate and wait for the return ball, which never came. Worked hard to fight for possession from the Arsenal midfielders though.
All he could do was to make simple passes to a team mate and wait for the return ball, which never came. Worked hard to fight for possession from the Arsenal midfielders though.
Peter Odemwingie (62' off) - 3
Barely touched the ball the whole game as Gibbs easily robbed him of the ball. It was as though West Brom were playing with ten men for an hour and should have been replaced much earlier.
Barely touched the ball the whole game as Gibbs easily robbed him of the ball. It was as though West Brom were playing with ten men for an hour and should have been replaced much earlier.
Substitutions
Goran Popov (6' on) - 5.5
Had a bright opening few minutes but when the home side found his Achilles heel, he struggled to cope with Arsenal's swift one-twos and eventually allowed Oxlade-Chamberlain through on goal which eventually led to the second penalty decision.
Goran Popov (6' on) - 5.5
Had a bright opening few minutes but when the home side found his Achilles heel, he struggled to cope with Arsenal's swift one-twos and eventually allowed Oxlade-Chamberlain through on goal which eventually led to the second penalty decision.
Romelu Lukaku (62' on) - 6
Could have made the game more interesting if he had converted his free header inside the six yard box in the 87th minute but it was just not West Brom's day.
Could have made the game more interesting if he had converted his free header inside the six yard box in the 87th minute but it was just not West Brom's day.
Markus Rosenberg (76' on)
N/A
N/A
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