Arsenal 2-0 West Brom: LIVE score, news and highlights from the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal vs West Brom: Express Sport brings you LIVE scores, news and highlights from the Emirates Stadium

87: Should be the third. Olivier Giroud brings down a chipped cross and tees it up for Granit Xhaka, who blazes over from inside the penalty area.

85: No hat-trick for Lacazette. He trots off to a standing-ovation as Olivier Giroud comes on for the final few minutes. Alexis Sanchez has also been swapped for Mesut Ozil.

84: No signs of a West Brom revival folks. That second has knocked the stuffing out of them, and Arsenal are keeping the ball well. Bellerin lines up the shot but his effort is deflected wide by Gareth Barry.

81: Robert Madley has a difficult decision to make. He’s gone in late, but won most of the ball, on Alexis Sanchez. The supporters are screaming for a second yellow, but the referee gives him a ticking off.

78: The Gunners seem to be doing fine without Mesut Ozil tonight. I wonder if that will affect his enormous wage demands to sign a new contract.

76: Arsenal weather a period of West Brom pressure well. Looks like they’ve been practicing defending from set-pieces. Granit Xhaka finally breaks away but leathers it wide. Well wide.

72: That should have been the hat-trick. Alexis Sanchez plays a perfect ball over to Lacazette, but the Frenchman skews his half-volley horribly high. Phillips replaces Nyom.

69: That was Arsenal’s 100th penalty in the Premier League by the way. For the stats nerds among you.

ARSENAL 2-0 WEST BROM – LACAZETTE

67: And that’s probably the match.

Allan Nyom makes a complete hash of trying to disposes Aaron Ramsey, and basically ends up smashing him off the ball in the area. Not very subtle.

Alexandre Lacazette, who’s interestingly taken penalty duties ahead of Alexis Sanchez, tucks it straight into the bottom corner. Foster guessed the correct way, but the power and precision made that unstoppable.

66: Ramsey makes me look foolish by laying a neat one-two with Bellerin, before the full-back wins Arsenal a corner. The Welshman then wins a penalty after being barged over by Nyom. 

66: I’ve been disagreed with in the office about Aaron Ramsey. My Arsenal-supporting colleague thinks Rambo has done some great off-the-ball running without being found, and I’m confusing that with being ineffective. I’ll let you judge that later. Morrison replaces Livermore.

65: Not sure about Aaron Ramsey in this advanced position for Arsenal. He’s smashed it there for Wales before, but he’s looking a bit ineffective.

63: The Baggies win a rare set-piece, but Petr Cech punches it clear with some decisive goalkeeping. I know it’s a cliche, but Arsenal really need a second to put this to bed.

60: I wanted to avoid saying West Brom were being overly-physical, but I’ve not really got an option now after Gareth Barry knocks Alexis Sanchez flat.

58: The totting-up process takes its next victim as Krychowiak is booked for a foul on Elneny. That’s their third of the evening.

57: Behave! Lacazette just nutmegged Krychowiak before laying it off to win a corner. The crowd loved that. Mustafi flicks it on at the near post but Foster managed to claw it away.

55: Huge groans around the Emirates. They know that should have been 2-0. Kolasinac plays a quality ball across to Elneny, who finds Lacazette in the middle. The Frenchman looks certain to add to his tally, but Gibbs makes a terrific last-gasp block to deflect it for a corner.

52: Dawson gets booked for ploughing through the back of Alexis Sanchez. Not a cluttered tackle to put it nicely.

50: Bellerin drills a cross across the six-yard box but it manages to allude everyone. Could have been close if Lacazette took the gamble.

48: It’s all a bit stop-start since the break. Alexis Sanchez ignored Kolasinac’s overlapping run to cross but it was easily dealt with by Hegazi.

45: We’re back underway folks. Doesn’t look like either manager has made a change at the break. I can see quite a few fans on Twitter wanting Jack Wilshere introduced. Stat!

HT: Just a quick word about Grzegorz Krychowiak. This guy looks excellent. He’s been pulling the strings for the Baggies tonight and strikes the perfect blend of steel and skill.

Analysis from our reporter Matt Dunn, at the Emirates.

HT: Not sure this Arsenal defence is capable of keeping a clean sheet. West Brom pushing hard at the end of the first half and the Gunners grateful for the whistle.

I feel they are going to need to score again to guarantee the points but provided Sanchez continues to channel his aggression towards West Brom and not the officials, that should not be beyond their capabilities. Should be a good second half.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Farooq: Half-time and we can safely say that Arsenal are very lucky to be still leading at this point. Diagonal balls creating havoc.

Jordan: Can’t believe West Brom haven’t scored in this game.

Ryan: Bobby Madley = Useless hopeless idiot. Premier League referee you’re having a laugh! Mind you, there’s not that many good ones anymore.

HT: No idea how Arsenal are winning this match. They’ve been pretty poor all over the park. Rodriguez can count himself unfortunate not have scored a hat-trick, let alone one!

45: Uh-oh. West Brom set-piece on the stroke of HT. Alexis Sanchez complains about the decision and is lucky to avoid a booking.

The box is loaded… Lacazette clears for a corner at the near post, which is helped away by Koscielny.

Post! Krychowiak plays a tremendous first-time ball across the six-yard box, Bellerin completely misses the clearance and Rodriguez sees his header cleared off the line late on.

42: And again West Brom find themselves inches away from equalising. First Rodriguez flashes one past the post, and then the striker narrowly misses Nyom’s cross. Arsenal living very dangerously indeed.

40: How’s that NOT gone in?! Aaron Ramsey plays a suicidal ball to Jay Rodriguez. he charges forward and crosses to the unmarked Krychowiak, but Monreal somehow clears his cushioned header off the line. Miraculous defending.

39: Alexis Sanchez lines another free-kick up in an identical position to the first goal, but his strike bounces just wide of the post.

37: Rambo is doing alright in his advanced position. No more than that yet. His cross was cleared by Nyom for a corner, which floats all the way over to the far touchline. Krychowiak looked to have pulled Sanchez’s shirt in the area. Again, nothing given.

34: Arsenal with 221 passes so far. That’s only interesting if I tell you that West Brom have completed 66. Roberto Martinez would be proud. One of his side’s would also be 3-0 down.

32: Kieran Gibbs makes a nuisance of himself to get past Granit Xhaka, but his cross is headed clear by Laurent Koscielny. Baggies still looking threatening, just lacking the killer touch.

29: The confidence is showing now. Alexis Sanchez plays a beautiful ball through to the overlapping Nacho Monreal, who can’t get a shot away. Looked like Nyom was dragging him down there… football has a way of evening things out.

25: Yes, I’m aware that I said Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette were very peripheral figures 30 seconds before the pair combined to break the deadlock. I’ll see myself out…

22: Arsenal have scored in all 23 of their Premier League meetings with West Brom, the best such 100% record in the division.

Analysis from our reporter Matt Dunn, at the Emirates.

21: Pulis is absolutely furious on the touchline and rightly so. Robbed of a clear penalty when Madley somehow missed Mustafi’s trip of Rodriguez, he was watched his defence stand still while Lacazette converted the rebound from a Sanchez free-kick which took full advantage of a very soft award in the first place.

Those are the sorts of decision which could easily have gone the other way at the Hawthorns or Britannia, which perhaps explains Pulis’s hugely-varied records when home and away against Arsenal.

ARSENAL 1-0 WEST BROM – LACAZETTE

20: The poacher strikes again! Alexandre Lacazette’s in the right place at the right time to give Arsenal the lead, against the run of play.

Jonny Evans bundles over Alexis Sanchez just outside the area. Sanchez strikes it against the bar via the fingertips of Ben Foster and the Frenchman stoops low to head it into an empty net.

19: Well, 19 minutes gone and West Brom are comfortably the better side. Arsenal haven’t settling into things yet with Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette very peripheral figures. Defence looks dodgy too.

15: Just watched the replay of that penalty shout again. I don’t think you’ll see a more blatant spot-kick all season. Prepare yourself for hours of VAR debate folks.

13: Arsenal trying to gather their composure after that early scare. Bellerin nods a beautiful cross-field pass to Ramsey, who heads over. Pretty difficult chance.

10: Tony Pulis, fully equipped with the tracksuit and baseball cap, doesn’t look particularly on the sidelines. He’s screaming instructions at his players.

He’s going to be even more annoyed now! Jay Rodriguez is chopped down by Mustafi, who completely slides through the striker inside the penalty area. Rodriguez jumps up immediately and sees a low drive tipped onto the post by Petr Cech. The Baggies forward clearly paying for his honesty.

8: Tactically, Arsene Wenger has deployed the Same 3-4-2-1 shape that he used against Chelsea last weekend. Aaron Ramsey finds himself entrusted with a more advanced position behind Alexandre Lacazette.

7: Danger! Dawson bundles over Sanchez from behind just outside the penalty area. The Chilean steps up… inches wide! Ben Foster was left flat-footed as the curling strike bounces just wide.

5: The Gunners have enjoyed almost 100& possession in these early stages. Alexis Sanchez won a corner but it was easily cleared by one of West Brom’s giants.

3: I fear Arsenal have done their usual thing by telling us they have a capacity crowd tonight, but I can see plenty of red seats available. No early chances.

ARSENAL 0-0 WEST BROM

1: We’re underway! I don’t think I’ve nailed a correct prediction since January 2011, but I’m going for a 2-1 Arsenal win tonight.

19:58: Here we go then. The players have emerged from the tunnel on a crisp evening in North London. It’s a sell-out here at the Emirate, will they be treated to a cracker?

19:55: Gareth Barry is a cool 35/1 to score first tonight folks, just if you were thinking of placing a sympathetic fiver on the record-breaker. I wouldn’t advise it though…

19:53: Tony Pulis will be the 8th manager to take charge of 100+ games for two different Premier League sides (West Brom & Stoke).

19:50: Gareth Barry has just been speaking to Sky Sports about making his 633rd Premier League appearance: “It is obviously a nice moment for myself. I am very proud to reach that number but before anything else I am going to concentrate on this game.”

19:45: If Arsene Wenger was planning on looking for support from his former players, he might want to think again, because Thierry Henry thinks Arsenal are still under pressure despite picking up a well-earned point against Chelsea last Sunday.

“I think the pressure is still on them. They have to close that gap. If we talk about the Chelsea performance, obviously if you compare it with what happened at Liverpool it was always going to be better,” Henry told Sky Sports.

“The question that I’m looking for that we’ve been asking about this team are not going to be answered today on how they’re going to perform against West Brom. Yes it was better but the pressure is still on.”

19:40: Head-to-head facts

*Arsenal have won six successive home matches against West Brom in the Premier League, conceding just one goal.

*Albion’s only Premier League win away at Arsenal was 3-2 in September 2010.

*But West Brom did beat the Gunners 3-1 at The Hawthorns when the clubs last met in March.

19:35: I forgot to mention that we’re running a poll tonight asking who YOU think will win the Golden Boot this season. Romelu Lukaku is leading the way, but Harry Kane isn’t too far behind. Alexandre Lacazette isn’t faring too well…

19:30: Everyone ordered their copy of Micky Adams’ My Life in Football biography? Thought not, but there’s one hell of a story that’s well worth a read.

Sorry the extract is a bit long, but it might be the cruelest ‘bantz’ I’ve ever read!

Having failed to stop Tranmere crashing into non-League, he crossed the Irish Sea to save Sligo, where he witnessed perhaps the most bizarre scene of his life in football.

Patrick Nzuzi, one of his players, had been arrested after an alleged assault on a woman but no charges were pressed and rumours developed about retribution from the victim’s family.

Adams advised Nzuzi to get out of Ireland and head home to England when, on Monday morning, a masked gunman appeared on the training pitch and made a beeline for Jennison Myrie-Williams.

There were two black players in the squad. One, Nzuzi, was on his way out of the country. The other was Myrie-Williams. Players scattered as Adams and his No 2 Alan Rogers screamed about mistaken identity.

Myrie-Williams was on his knees with a gun to his head when the assailant removed his mask and started to laugh. It was in fact an injured player called John Russell, who had devised the prank in cahoots with the physio, who filmed it on her phone. ‘The players were still shaking 20 minutes later,’ said Adams.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Ebuka: For me, Aaron Ramsey is the key tonight. If he plays well, I can see us winning by two or three goals.

Alan: Finally, Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez start in a game for Arsenal. That’ll a delight to watch.

Bart: Just seen the Arsenal line up and decided to add another two goals to my predicted result. 5-0.

19:15: Interested to hear Ray Parlour’s thoughts on tonight’s match? Well, I’m going to tell you anyway.

Parlour believes Arsenal are under serious pressure to beat West Brom this evening after their rivals all won at the weekend.

“They’ve got to be patient Arsenal at times. They will have a lot of the possession, they will have a lot of the ball going forward,” Parlour said on Sky Sports.

“Arsenal, these are the sort of games you’ve got to win at home if you’re going to have any aspirations of getting in that top four. These are must-win for Arsenal Football Club and they have seen over the weekend all of the top sides win as well.”

WEST BROM TEAM NEWS

19:10: West Brom have made three changes from his starting XI who drew 0-0 with Slaven Bilic’s West Ham.

Allan Nyom returns to replace Matt Phillips, who’s named on the bench. Hal Robson-Kanu and Jake Livermore also start.

I believe that means Tony Pulis is playing with three at the back, which is the first time he’s done that in seven years! Steady on, Tony!

Oh, and how could I forget. Not only does Gareth Barry start for West Brom tonight but he captains them as well!

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

19:05: Let’s start with the hosts.

Arsene Wenger has made two changes from the side who drew 0-0 with the Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge last week.

Alexis Sanchez replaces the injured Danny Welbeck, while Mohamed Elneny comes in for Alex Iwobi.

Mesut Ozil was expected to start this evening, but the German playmaker will have to settle for a spot on the bench.

19:00: And here’s your team news. A quick glance tells me that Arsene Wenger has recalled Alexis Sanchez to the starting XI.

Arsenal XI: Cech, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Elneny, Kolasinac, Sanchez, Ramsey, Lacazette.

Subs: Ospina, Mertesacker, Wilshere, Ozil, Giroud, Walcott, Maitland-Niles.

West Brom XI: Foster, Nyom, Gibbs, Robson-Kanu, Evans, Livermore, Barry, Rodriguez, Krychowiak, Dawson, Hegazi.

Subs: Myhill, Yacob, Morrison, Rondon, Phillips, Brunt, McClean.

18:55: Few minutes until those starting XI’s arrive folks. Is Arsene Wenger pull a fast one and change the side who performed so well against Chelsea? Surely not…

18:50: Does he intend to retire soon? Fat chance, Barry says he could play until he is 40.

Barry signed for Albion from Everton in the summer. He has a year’s option on the initial 12-month deal he signed and sees himself playing on for longer until he’s 40.

“It’s definitely a possibility. I was 32 when I signed for Everton and (the manager) Roberto Martinez said, ‘You’re style of game – you can play until you’re 40’,” he said.

“I’m sitting there laughing at him, but he was deadly serious, and I still laughed. It’s still going to be tough, but for a manager to tell me that four to five years ago is a good compliment, which was nice to hear. I’m immensely proud to get there. Whether it will stay around for long I don’t know.”

18:45: It could be a record-breaking night for G-Baz folks. That’s Gareth Barry for those who aren’t down with the kids.

The 36-year-old, who made his professional debut for Aston Villa in 1998, will play in his 633rd top-flight game and break Ryan Giggs’ record if he features.

His Premier League career reads; 632 games, 19 years, 232 months, 1012 weeks, 7086 days, 52,871 minutes of action.

So roughly the same amount of time it took me to Google those figures…

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Dom: I think there’s a 100% chance Arsene Wenger doesn’t start Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, and Alexandre Lacazette tonight.

Adam: I think Arsenal vs West Brom could be a closer game than many are giving it credit for. Still think it’ll be a home win, but not a hammering.

Liam: On route to the mighty Emirates. Hopefully 3 more points in the bag. Come on the Arsenal.

18:35: It’s going to be a hectic week for Arsenal. The Gunners take on West Brom tonight before travelling nearly 1,500 miles to take on BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday.

Add to that a midday kick-off against Brighton the following Sunday and Wenger’s squad will be pushed to their limits.

But the Frenchman isn’t too concerned. He’s putting his faith in modern-day recovery methods and science to keep his players fit.

“They have warm-downs. They have all that. But everybody does nowadays. Treatment with the physios, massage, cryotherapy, all the stuff where nobody knows whether it is efficient or not,” he said.

“No-one knows because you have a lot of science. If you read the science, some have proved that it works and some have proved that it doesn’t work. The ones that prove that it works are usually sponsored by the guys who say that it does.”

18:30: I feel like I’ve opened the floodgates to thousands of Arsenal fans telling me that Arsene Wenger should have been thrown out years ago…

Anyway, history suggests the Frenchman has reasons to be cheerful tonight because Arsenal have conceded only once against West Brom in their last six league games at the Emirates.

18:25: If you would like to get in touch and tell me about some of the useless things you’ve hoarded over the years (no wife jokes), you can comment at the bottom of the page. Alternatively you can find me on Twitter here.

18:20: How’s everyone doing today? I’m moving house at the moment, so I spent the morning sifting through crap I’ve accumulated over the years.

A VHS player, magazines from 1999 (not the ones you’re thinking of) and old phone covers from handsets that aren’t even in existence anymore are among the items I finally chucked.

I’ve still got about 8 quids worth of French francs though. Can’t bring myself to throw them away…

18:15: Good evening folks, welcome to our LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs West Brom from the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have watched all of their Premier League rivals collect maximum points this weekend, and now they have their chance to respond.

But that might be easier said than done against a stubborn Tony Pulis side who’ve proved tricky opponents for the free-flowing Gunners in recent history.

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Let’s get going!

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

Mesut Ozil is in contention to return to the Arsenal team for tonight’s clash with West Brom.

The Germany midfielder has been struggling with a knee injury but is now back in training, while Theo Walcott should be fit despite being forced off with a knock in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Doncaster.

Danny Welbeck (groin), Francis Coquelin (hamstring) and Santi Cazorla (ankle) are missing, as is Calum Chambers who has suffered a recurrence of a recent hip problem.

WEST BROM TEAM NEWS

West Brom midfielder Gareth Barry is expected to break the Premier League appearance record.

The 36-year-old, who made his professional debut for Aston Villa in 1998, will play in his 633rd top-flight game and break Ryan Giggs’ record if he features tonight.

Chris Brunt (calf) will be assessed along with Nacer Chadli (thigh) and Oliver Burke (hamstring) while it remains to be seen if Jake Livermore will return to the squad after being given a break by Baggies boss Tony Pulis.

PROVISIONAL SQUADS

Arsenal Squad: Cech, Ospina, Mertesacker, Holding, Koscielny, Monreal, Mustafi, Bellerin, Nelson, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Wilshere, Xhaka, Elneny, Ozil, Giroud, Walcott, Sanchez, Iwobi, Lacazette.

West Brom squad: Foster, Myhill, Nyom, Evans, Dawson, McAuley, Yuning, Hegazi, Gibbs, Brunt, Yacob, Morrison, Field, McClean, Chadli, Barry, Rondon, Rodriguez, Burke, Robson-Kanu, Krychowiak, Livermore.

HISTORY

Last season: West Brom 3 Arsenal 1, Arsenal 1 West Brom 0

Last five league matches: Arsenal W L L W D; West Brom W W D L D

Top scorers: Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) 3; Jay Rodriguez (West Brom) 2