Arsenal secured a comfortable 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium courtesy of a first-half brace from Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez in what was the Gunners’ 500th Premier League win. The win helps Arsene Wenger’s side remain in pole position to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League by virtue of a 3rd place finish.
Sanchez opened the scoring for the Gunners with a low fizzing drive from outside of the box in the 6th minute, having been supplied by Aaron Ramsey – who returned to the Arsenal starting line-up for the first-time since his side’s 2-0 defeat against Barcelona at home.
Gareth McAuley’s header cannoned off the crossbar in the 33rd minute, but Wenger’s side doubled the lead when Sanchez converted a free-kick from on the edge of the box, after Ramsey was fouled by Claudio Yacob.
Here are the player ratings for the match.
Arsenal
Petr Cech – 6/10
After letting Yannick Bolasie’s fizzing shot beat him at his near post in the last game, the Czech Republic international had a decent game. The 33-year-old didn’t have much to do during the game, but was lucky that McAuley’s header ricocheted off the crossbar.
Hector Bellerin – 7.5/10
A solid game for the Spanish full-back, who was earlier named in the PFA Team of the Year. The 21-year-old caused constant trouble for the opposition defenders with his searing pace.
Per Mertesacker – 6.5/10
The return of the German in the starting line-up was justified as the Arsenal defence put in a much-assured display. A convincing performance from the World Cup winner.
Laurent Koscielny – 7/10
The Frenchman had a solid game at the back, however, he along with the other defenders didn’t have much to do for the entire duration of the game as West Brom hardly looked like scoring.
Nacho Monreal – 7/10
One of Arsenal’s most consistent players this season, put in another decent shift on the left-hand side, while also providing some inviting crosses inside the box.
Mohamed Elneny – 7.5/10
The January signing was assured on the ball and was effective with his passing, if not more. The Egyptian thwarted any efforts made by the Baggies to trouble Arsenal’s defence.
Aaron Ramsey – 8.5/10
The Welshman returned to the starting line-up for the first time since picking up a hamstring injury in the first-leg of the Round of 16 Champions League clash against Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium. Ramsey put in a brilliant performance playing alongside Elneny in the heart of midfield. The midfielder picked up the assist for Sanchez’s opener and won the free-kick which was converted by the Chilean for Arsenal’s second.
Alexis Sanchez – 9/10
The Chilean has had a dismal season by his standards, but has looked to have regained his form recently. Sanchez has now scored in each of his last four Premier League games and was the best player on the pitch. The former Barcelona man continuously troubled West Brom’s defence with his clever movement and drive, and was rewarded with two brilliantly taken goals.
Mesut Ozil – 6.5/10
The German had a quiet evening by his standards. Ozil was left frustrated towards the end of the game, having failed to influence the game in a manner he is used to. The 27-year-old did, however, play some delightful balls to his team-mates as he tried to keep the Gunners ticking, but failed to add to his tally of 18 assists for the season.
Alex Iwobi – 7/10
The youngster continues to improve with every passing game and troubled the Baggies with his lung-bursting runs. The Nigerian linked up well with Alexis, Ozil and Nacho, however, his end product was not up to the mark.
Olivier Giroud – 7/10
The striker caused problems for Tony Pulis’ side with his movement, and should have scored in the dying minutes of the game only to be denied by Ben Foster’s face.
Substitutes:
Francis Coquelin – N/A
The French midfielder came on for Alex Iwobi in the 82nd minute.
Theo Walcott – N/A
Walcott replaced Alexis Sanchez in the 86th minute but didn’t have enough time to make an impact on the game.
Joel Campbell – N/A
The Costa Rican was lively after replacing Ozil in the 86th minute, and troubled West Brom’s defence with some penetrating runs.
West Bromwich Albion
Ben Foster – 3.5/10
The English shot-stopper had a bad day in the office. Ozil’s shot nearly squirmed underneath him, but the 33-year-old couldn’t have done much for Arsenal’s opener. Foster was guilty of poor wall placement for Sanchez’s second.
Craig Dawson – 6/10
The 25-year-old was at hand to clear Ozil’s shot off the line after Foster had made a mess of it. Was good on the overlap, but couldn’t do much for either of the Gunners’ goals.
Gareth McAuley – 6.5/10
Was unlucky to see his header cannon off the crossbar in the 33rd minute. The veteran defender made a few key interceptions, but failed to keep Arsenal’s attacking players subdued.
Jonny Evans – 5.5/10
The former Manchester United man put in a decent performance and even blocked Ozil’s early shot. But couldn’t do much for either of the goals that his side conceded.
James Chester – 3.5/10
After a nervy first-half was replaced at half-time by Jonas Olsson as Pulis looked to tighten things at the back.
Darren Fletcher – 4.5/10
Fletcher struggled to influence the game from the heart of West Brom’s midfield as he would have liked as Arsenal players continued to evade him with their quick incisive passing.
Claudio Yacob – 4/10
The midfielder did not have the best of games and was at fault for giving away the free-kick from which Arsenal doubled their lead – having fouled Ramsey just outside the box.
Sandro – 2/10
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was taken off at half-time after he was skinned by Sanchez for Arsenal’s opener.
Stephane Sessegnon – 4.5/10
Provided good defensive cover for Dawson on the right to help negate Iwobi and Monreal’s threat, but failed to create anything of note in the attacking third of the pitch.
Saido Berahino – 4/10
The English striker cut a forlorn figure for most part of the game and failed to have the desired impact, having been bereft of any service for the entire 90 minutes.
James McClean – 5/10
Was exposed by Bellerin’s pace on more occasions than one, but provided an outlet for the Baggies during attacking set-pieces.
Substitutes:
Jonas Olsson – 5/10
Came on at half-time for the abysmal James Chester. but failed to make his presence felt. West Brom didn’t concede in the second half due to Arsenal’s profligacy in front of goal.
Salomon Rondon – 4/10
Made a mess of a tap in after coming on for Sandro at half-time. Cut a peripheral figure for the rest of his time on the pitch.
Craig Gardner – N/A
Replaced James McClean in the 65th minute, but failed to make any telling contributions in the game.
