Match Review: Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 - Premier League 04.05.14

So barring the first day disaster against Aston Villa, we have remained unbeaten in the league at home. In fact, out of 27 home games in all competitions, we have suffered only four defeats; Villa in the PL, Chelsea in the league cup and Dortmund and Bayern in the CL. We've also only let in 11 league goals at the Emirates this season, which is an amazing achievement considering the usual bad press our defence gets. The pity is that our away form has let us down at crucial moments and had we even just avoided defeat in a few of the games we were thumped in, we'd be talking about a much more positive season. Still, we've taken positive steps to making the Emirates a fortress like the Etihad or Stamford Bridge. There are a lot of positives we can build on and if we take the necessary steps (a big if it seems) we could see an Arsenal side able to go the distance in multiple competitions.

Teams

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal (Y) (Vermaelen 80’), Arteta (Kallstrom 63’), Flamini, Podolski, Özil, Cazorla (Rosicky 70’), Giroud
Subs
Fabianski, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Kallstrom, Diaby, Sanogo, Rosicky

West Brom (4-5-1)
Foster, Dawson, Olsson, Lugano, Brunt (Y), Morrison, Dorrans (Y), Mulumbu (Vydra 85’), Amalfitano (Anichebe 80’), Sessegnon, Berahino
Subs
Myhill, Yacob, Sinclair, Anichebe, Vydra, McAuley, O'Neil 

Player Ratings

Szczesny - 7/10 - Didn't need to do anything really
Sagna - 8/10 - Possibly his last appearance at the Emirates. What a servant to the club
Mertesacker - 7/10 - Another solid performance in a season full of them
Koscielny - 7/10 - Ditto
Monreal - 7/10 - Has been a bit hit and miss recently, but was solid this time round
Arteta - 7/10 - Metronomic as usual Flamini - Ran around like a lunatic. Loved it.
Podolski - 6/10 - A bit anonymous to be honest
Özil - 8/10 - Really turned it on at times, hopefully he’ll have a storming season next year
Cazorla - 7/10 - He’s had an up and down season but got another assist
Giroud - 7/10 - Won some more points, something he’s done a lot this season
Subs
Kallstrom - 7/10 - Has had an enjoyable cameo at the club and played well again
Rosicky - 6/10 - Didn’t really have time to influence the game
Vermaelen - N/A - But produced a pretty naughty pass that surprised a few

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