Match Review: West Brom 1 -1 Arsenal

The goal changed the complexion of the game and we seemed to wake up a bit. We were the more likely team from there on out and Giroud, like Anelka, failed to convert from two good chances. Mesut Özil chipped a brilliant ball over the top of the Albion defense, but Giroud scuffed the volley well wide. A little while after that, Wilshere produced a quite stunning through ball, which split the defense and sent Giroud through, but the frenchman’s shot was smothered well by Myhill.

The striker will be unhappy not to have done better both times, but he should be just as unhappy that he didn’t have a chance from the spot, as in between the chances we were denied a stonewall penalty. Özil worked his magic down the right and cut the ball back to Wilshere, a couple of yards inside the area.

Just as Wilshere was about to shoot, Mulumbu crashed through the back of him, only taking the ball once he’d destroyed the England midfielder. I genuinely sat for about a minute, open mouthed, completely speechless. I don’t know when it became acceptable tackle from behind, on the wrong side of a player and go all the way through him to get the ball, but clearly Lee Mason had decided he didn’t like Jack and applied a completely new rule.

Frustratingly, that was it for chances, the game got a bit tense and I don’t think either side wanted to lose. We threw on Bendtner for a few minutes, I think he touched the ball once, but it ended in a draw. To be honest, it was a pretty fair result, West Brom had enough chances to think they could have won it and so did we and although it would have been great to go into the break with a win, I’m not at all disheartened.

The team has been magnificent in the face of a remarkable amount of injuries and early negativity from the transfer window and first day defeat. They’ve showed tremendous maturity and resolve to leave us in the best early season position we’ve been in for a long time. Top of the league, maximum points in the toughest Champions League group and one round of the Carling Cup negotiated.

All this and we still have five top quality players to come back; Sagna, Cazorla, Podolski, Chamberlain and Walcott. Hopefully 2 or 3 of those will be available very soon after the break and they’re returns will be important as we have some huge fixtures coming up soon, including two games against Dortmund and fixtures against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United looming. Things seem to be progressing well and if we can continue this fantastic form, we’ll be in a strong position come January. See you on the other side of the aggressively boring international fixtures!

Stat(s) of the game: Lee Mason penalised Arsenal 11 times, compared to just 6 fouls given against West Brom. Mathieu Flamini picked up his 4th yellow card of the season from one of these fouls and will miss a game when he gets his 5th.

Teams

West Brom (4-2-3-1)Myhill, Ridgewell, Jones, McAuley, Olsson , Mulumbu, Amalfitano (Brunt 89′), Berahino, Yacob, Sessegnon (Morrison 78′), Anelka (Long 69′)

SubsBrunt, Lugano, Rosenberg, Popov, Morrison, Daniels, Long

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini , Arteta, Ramsey (Rosicky 59′), Wilshere , Özil, Giroud (Bendtner 85′)

SubsFabianski, Rosicky, Miyaichi, Bendtner, Monreal, Vermaelen, Gnabry

Player Ratings

Szczesny7/10 - Made a stunning save early on, couldn’t do much to stop their goal

Jenkinson6/10 - Maybe at fault for the goal, did ok, but just ok

Mertesacker7/10 - Not giving Vermaelen any chance to get back in

Koscielny7/10 - Ditto

Gibbs7/10 - Ditto but replace Vermaelen with Monreal

Flamini7/10 - Shouted, pointed, tackled, got booked. Solid again

Arteta7/10 - Looked sharper than in midweek, getting back to his best

Wilshere7/10 - 5/10 first half, followed by an 8/10 second. Getting some very unfair stick

Özil8/10 - My man of the match for his hard work and quality for our goal

Ramsey6/10 - Never got into the game and went off after picking up a knock

Giroud7/10 - Had some chances to win the game, but did well for our goal

Subs Rosicky7/10 - Added a bit of nip to our attack, looks 23, not 33

Bendtner - N/A - Nothing sums him up better than N/A

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