Premier League 2017/18: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Arsenal, 5 Talking Points

Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion end the year sharing the spoils as the home side looked destined for a loss - thanks to a James McClean own goal - only for a converted controversial penalty earning them a point.

Arsene Wenger became the Premier League's all-time record holder overtaking Sir Alex Ferguson in the total number of matches he's overlooked but was visibly furious at the final whistle after another Mike Dean debacle.

Here's what we learnt from the game:

#5 Arsenal still don't have a 'Plan B'

Everytime Arsenal play a side that sits behind the ball and only use their strikers for counters, they struggle to break through the defence and create chances.

West Brom parked all their defenders and midfielders behind the ball and expected Arsenal to come to them. Their persistence - and some fortune - paid off for them taking a point into the new year.

An ageing squad isn't helping West Brom either

#4 Alan Pardew needs reinforcements

For a side that is once again fighting to stay in the Premier League, they don't look like the kind of side Pardew can make the most of in the coming five months.

He's got a job on his hands to find forwards and attacking-minded forwards in the winter transfer window and he's got to do it quick.

They're only one point above Swansea on the table but only three points from safety which means it isn't as bad as it could be but bad enough that they lack ideas and outlets to stay on.

The man needs to play regularly and he can't do that with Arsenal

#3 Alex Iwobi needs more (playing) time

Alex Iwobi is all Arsenal having to come through the academy and all through the first team and while he did impress in his first season with the team, it's stagnated since then.

The Nigerian international is clearly a talent but maybe he needs to go out on loan for a couple of months or a season just to get back to playing regularly. He can take a leaf out of Jack Wilshere's book and it might do him the world a good.

Jonny Evans could have a great 2018

#2 Jonny Evans will be an excellent fit at a top-six side

The former Manchester United man is impressing with his performances with West Brom. He's quick, he's confident on the ball and passes well with a respectable 81% pass percentage against Arsenal.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are reportedly interested in signing the Northern Irishman and given his experience playing with their cross-city rivals and now captaining West Brom, it's a decision he's unlikely to regret.

Unbelievable decision against Arsenal from this man again tonight

#1 Mike Dean is proof that the Premier League needs VAR

Yes, the introduction of the video assistant referees is hotly debated for the way the game could be affected but decisions like the one that went against Arsenal today make it a debate we ought to seriously indulge in.

Forget Mike Dean, the man has a tendency to make everything about himself but should VAR have been implemented, this sort of thing could've helped Arsenal get all three points on a night when they fought so hard to ensure that.