Match Review: West Brom 1 -1 Arsenal

I was interested to see how we’d react to this unfamiliar scenario and the answer at the start of the second half seemed to be ‘not very well’. We had an early chance, Giroud playing to Wilshere who fired over, but should have had a penalty as he was taken out after he took his shot. It was a clear penalty, he was clattered, but I wasn’t surprised given the referee’s clear ‘anything goes on Wilshere’ stance. But after that we looked a bit sluggish and gave away two massive opportunities to Nicolas Anelka.

First he couldn’t gather a ball played across the six yard box, second he was played onside by Koscielny and ran clear of Mertesacker before bending a shot just wide. Two chances that could have killed us off, because we looked really ropey. Aaron Ramsey was withdrawn early in the second half, where most would have expected Wilshere to be subbed. The welshman got a knock in the first half and didn’t look right for the rest of the time he was on and he was replaced by Rosicky.

It was a slight surprise when we equalised, given how we’d struggled to create chances all game. The goal originated from some brilliant defensive work from Mesut Özil of all players. It was a pleasantly surprising facet of his game throughout and I was impressed with his work rate.

He won a ball he had no right to win, then skipped away from a challenge in midfield. He then played a gorgeous ball up to Giroud, who held up the ball well, turning inside to find Rosicky. Rosicky got a bit lucky, he fluffed the pass to Wilshere a little and it bobbled up in front of him.

Fortunately Jack got on top of the ball superbly and his low drive deflected past Myhill. About 70% quality play, 30% luck, but 100% what we and Jack in particular needed. Wilshere was looking a lot sharper in the second half and he was rewarded with a goal.