Another Robin van Persie-inspired performance saw
Arsenal collect three points from Saturday afternoon's
encounter with West Brom.
• Wenger hails 'world-class' Van Persie
Van Persie started the dreary midweek Champions League
draw with Marseille on the bench, but was recalled to
the starting line-up as Arsenal won their 400th Premier
League game.
While unable to match his hat-trick heroics at Chelsea
last weekend, Van Persie was the difference once more
as he netted the first and then turned provider for
both Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta.
Aaron Ramsey's exquisite through-ball helped the Arsenal
skipper net his 11th league goal of the campaign, finishing
from close range after Ben Foster blocked a Theo Walcott
effort.
Vermaelen then netted his first goal for almost two
years as he turned in a Van Persie cross and, after
the break, Arteta fired home after neat work between
the Dutchman and substitute Tomas Rosicky.
Van Persie and Laurent Koscielny were the only two
changes Arsene Wenger made to his starting line-up heading
into the match, while counterpart Roy Hodgson made four
alterations to the side that lost 2-0 to Liverpool last
weekend.
Arsenal started the stronger of the sides and dominated
the early proceedings in north London, but were struggling
to turn their possession into clear-cut chances.
Van Persie, fresh from collecting the October player
of the month award, saw a shot blocked by Gareth McAuley
inside the opening minute and then Andre Santos thumped
a 20-yard free-kick over the bar.
Those attempts were all Arsenal had to show for their
early exertions as the Baggies defended resolutely,
with Jonas Olsson receiving a cut under his eye when
challenging Vermaelen.
The patched-up Sweden international was forced to change
shirt and shorts in order to continue for the visitors,
who soon eked out their first opportunity as Simon Cox
sent in a low cross that Zoltan Gera came close to pouncing
on.
The Baggies were matching the home side with their
endeavour, but were undone in the 22nd minute by an
exquisite pass from Ramsey.
The Wales international's low ball cut through the
West Brom defence and straight to Walcott, whose blocked
shot fell kindly for Van Persie to net his 29th goal
in 28 games this year.
The goal spurred Arsenal into life as they pressed
for a second, with Arteta seeing a penalty shout rejected
before Gervinho was adjudged offside in a dangerous
position.
Wenger's side were still struggling to regularly test
Ben Foster, but managed to double their advantage six
minutes before the break.
Alex Song's ball to the back post was volleyed across
goal by Van Persie, allowing Vermaelen to fire home
his first of the season.
Arsenal continued to test West Brom's backline after
the break and only a late block by McAuley stopped Carl
Jenkinson's right-wing cross finding Gervinho.
Vermaelen headed just wide from the resulting corner
as the home side pressed for a third, before Ramsey
lashed across the face of goal.
West Brom were struggling to get out of their own half
and only a quick reaction save from Foster thwarted
a Song drive.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, Wenger brought
on Yossi Benayoun and Rosicky in a bid to add another
attacking dimension and force a third.
The move immediately had the desired effect as Arsenal
scored with the next attack as Van Persie and Rosicky
played a neat one-two, before the former teed up Arteta
to fire home from 20 yards.
Somen Tchoyi saw a shot blocked by Vermaelen at the
other end as West Brom looked to reduce the deficit,
although Arsenal were still dominating the majority
of possession.
Steven Reid tested Wojciech Szczesny with a late header,
but the Gunners held out for a comfortable victory and
a clean sheet.
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