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Post by Football News on Nov 29, 2014 18:52:27 GMT
West Brom 0 Arsenal 1Arsenal Danny Welbeck 60
Arsenal celebrate after Danny Welbeck's goal at West BromIt is starting to feel like the calm after the storm for Arsène Wenger. Hot on the heels of the midweek victory over Borussia Dortmund that secured their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League, Arsenal registered a first Premier League win since the start of the month courtesy of a lovely piece of wing play from Santi Cazorla and a fine Danny Welbeck header. It was no more than Arsenal deserved after dictating for long periods, although there was nearly a sting in the tail. Saido Berahino’s header, nine minutes from time, came back off the crossbar and there was another anxious moment for Arsenal when Craig Gardner’s raking driving deflected inches wide in the 90th minute. Otherwise, Arsenal looked comfortable and it was only the absence of a more clinical edge to their attacking play that spared a hugely disappointing West Bromwich Albion side from being on the end of a more convincing defeat. It is now 313 minutes since Alan Irvine side’s last found the net – an own goal scored by Leicester’s Esteban Cambiasso – and it is clear that the Albion supporters are getting restless. “You don’t know what you’re doing” reverberated around The Hawthorns when Irvine, the head coach, replaced Stéphane Sessègnon with Georgios Samaras. The first half had a familiar feel for Arsenal. Lots of possession, a sprinkling of chances, nothing to show for their dominance and another injury. This time it was Nacho Monreal, who had started at left-back because of Laurent Koscielny’s return from injury, but lasted only 23 minutes before limping off with what looked like a problem with his knee. It was some consolation for Wenger that he had a ready-made replacement in the shape of Kieran Gibbs, who had been relegated to the bench. By that stage of the game Arsenal were already firmly in control against a pedestrian Albion team. Yet for all the visitors neat passing, there were few clear-cut opportunities. Welbeck, who started out wide to accommodate the return of Olivier Giroud through the middle, had arguably the best chance in the opening 45 minutes, when he ran on to a measured through-ball from Aaron Ramsey. Ben Foster, however, raced from his line to block Welbeck’s first-time shot. Ramsey had a decent scoring opportunity of his own later in the half after Youssouf Mulumbu got in a tangle on the edge of the Albion penalty area and lost possession. The ball pinballed between Alexis Sánchez and Cazorla before arriving at the feet of Ramsey, who wriggled clear before dragging a low, right-footed shot just the wrong side of the near upright. Short of pace on the flanks and laboured in their buildup, Albion offered little. It was not until eight minutes into the second half that the home team had a serious attempt on goal. Berahino, stretching his legs on the Albion left and running into the space that opened up behind Calum Chambers, checked back on to his right foot before shooting, from an acute angle, into the side-netting. Normal service quickly resumed and, finally, Arsenal carved a breakthrough. Cazorla, showing tenacity and a turn of pace on the left, slipped past Andre Wisdom and got to the byline before standing up a deep and inviting cross that Welbeck was not going to waste. Jumping early, the Arsenal forward towered above Sébastien Pocognoli and met Cazorla’s centre with a powerful header that Foster, despite getting his right hand on the ball, was unable to keep out. Berahino’s header contributed to a nervous finale but Arsenal held on for a much-needed three points.
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Post by Jeffers Jugs on Nov 29, 2014 22:55:10 GMT
This is what Everton need to do when we aren't at our best. Arse have been nowhere near at their best yet still nick wins.
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