5 Amazing Pictures That Sum Up Arsenal’s Late Win vs West Bromwich Albion

Arsenal vs West Brom: Match Review In Pictures

Arsenal managed to bounce back from two consecutive defeats in the Premier League against Manchester City and Everton, to defeat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Monday thanks to a late goal from Olivier Giroud.

It was a dour first-half in London as Tony Pulis’ side managed to keep the Gunners largely at bay, giving away very few opportunities for the home side. However, things changed post the restart, with Arsene Wenger’s men coming very close to breaking the deadlock, only to be thwarted by Ben Foster in the Baggies’ goal repeatedly. But Giroud managed to get one past the 33-year old, giving Arsenal the lead in the 86^th minute, and thereby sealing the game.

It was the Baggies’ second defeat in a row, after having lost to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United last weekend at home and they will certainly be disappointed by the result whereas the North Londoners eked out a victory that should ease some pressure that was being built up since the last two losses.

Here we pick out five pictures that sum up the evening at the Emirates:

5. Mesut Ozil’s 100^th Premier League Appearance

 

Mesut Ozil started the game against the Baggies at the Emirates and it marked his 100^th Premier League appearances for Arsenal. The former Real Madrid playmaker is enjoying a fine goal-scoring form for the Gunners this season, having scored five times in the Premier League and adding four more in the Champions League. Ozil now is the second-best player in terms of most assists in their first 100 appearances. The German has notched up a very impressive 36 assists in his century of league games and this number is only bettered by a certain Eric Cantona who had 39 assists in his first 100 appearances for Manchester United. He left his mark on the game, assisting the winner with a beautiful cross for Giroud.

4. Ben Foster Rises to the Occasion

Goalkeeper Ben Foster recently signed a contract extension with West Bromwich Albion that will keep him at the Hawthorns till 2019 and he celebrated the signing with an exhilarating display at the Emirates. The former Manchester United goalkeeper was at his brilliant best as he continuously denied Arsenal their goal in the game. The 33-year old racked up an amazing 10 saves on the evening making some excellent stops to deny Alexis Sanchez, Alex Iwobi and Olivier Giroud in the second period. Man-of-the-Match performance by the Baggies’ goalie.

3. Alexis Sanchez Strikes the upright

The Gunners got into their groove in the second period after a slow first 45 minutes and turned the heat up on West Brom. Alex Iwobi was denied by a brilliant save from Ben Foster, who then dove bravely to thwart Alexis from the follow-up, resulting in a corner. And from the corner, the Chilean romped into the free space on the edge of the six-yard box and hit a powerful shot that bounced back off the right-hand side upright. Sanchez has been lethal in front of goal for Arsenal this term and has already scored 12 goals in the English top-flight, but was unlucky to miss out on a chance to give his team the lead.

2. Claudio Yacob misses golden opportunity

West Brom had done well to withstand Arsenal and keep the scoreline at 0-0, without having had a clear opportunity for themselves to go ahead. And having played well for close to 70 minutes, Pulis’ men finally managed to create a clear-cut chance to bury Arsenal. The Baggies won three consecutive corners on the 70-minute mark, and on the third corner, Petr Cech made a mistake as he failed to collect the ball cleanly, providing midfielder Claudio Yacob with a perfect chance to be the hero for his team, but the Argentine failed to capitalize and hit the ball over the goal. The miss would eventually cost the visitors the game.

1. Giroud – The man for the Gunners

Arsenal finally managed to break the deadlock in the 86^th minute through Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman, leading the line for the home team, due to Theo Walcott’s absence due to injury, completely overpowered Gareth McAuley in the box before heading a fine cross from Ozil into the top corner to give Arsenal the lead and eventually seal the points for Wenger’s side. Giroud stepped up for Arsenal when they needed it most, helping his team break their two-game losing streak.