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Arsenal made it three wins in a row with an emphatic 4-0 win over West Brom in the 2020-21 Premier League.
Goals from Kieran Tierney, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette were enough for the Gunners to comfortably put away a poor West Brom side, as Mikel Arteta's team continues to move up the Premier League table.
Arsenal are now upto 11th place, only six points off the top four, with seemingly easier fixtures due to come later this month. Mikel Arteta will be buoyed by his side's performance against West Brom, as the Gunners turned on the style on a snowy night at the Hawthorns.
It was truly a vintage performance by Arsenal, as they put a lacklustre West Brom team to the sword.
The first half started brightly for the Gunners, as Hector Bellerin and Bukayo Saka forced saves out of Sam Johnstone. Arsenal's right flank looked menacing, as it looked to take advantage of Grady Diangana playing in an unfamiliar wing-back position. However, it was Kieran Tierney on the opposite flank who opened the scoring for Arsenal.
The Scottish full-back showed good turn of pace to get past his man down the left flank before cutting back onto his weaker right foot to curl the ball into the top right corner of the net. That was truly a brilliant goal by Tierney, who has come into his own this season.
Arsenal soon found themselves 2-0 up after Bukayo Saka finished off a passing sequence that was reminiscent of Arsene Wenger's era at the club.
Emile Smith-Rowe provided the assist after some tidy combination play with Alexandre Lacazette at the edge of the West Brom penalty area. Lacazette looked dangerous all night, as he forced Johnstone into making a couple of saves in the first half.
The Baggies started off the second half as the brighter of the two sides and found the back of the net within minutes of the restart. However, the goal didn't stand, as Matheus Perreira had strayed offside during the build-up. That would prove costly for West Brom, as Arsenal soon found themselves back in the driving seat again.
Bukayo Saka streaked past his marker on the right flank before putting a menacing ball into the box. Semi Ajayi's attempted clearance hit the post and fell to Smith-Rowe, whose first-time shot was blocked well by the defender. Unfortunately for the Baggies, Lacazette was on hand to steer in the rebound to make it 3-0 to Arsenal on the night and end the game as a contest.
It was Lacazette's fourth goal in as many games, but the Frenchman was not done for the night. Soon Kieran Tierney bombarded down the left flank and whipped in a cross to find Lacazette, who steered the ball into the back of the net.
That was devastating football by Arsenal, who look to have shaken off the poor start to their league campaign.
Although there were no more goals in the game, Arsenal ended the night on the ascendancy, carving open West Brom at will, as the Baggies look all set to endure relegation at the end of the season.
Without further ado, here are five talking points from Arsenal's 4-0 win against West Bromwich Albion:
#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's scoring woes continue
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang played well on the night and looked menacing down the left flank, combining well with Kieran Tierney. However, the back of the net eluded the Arsenal captain.
Aubameyang's form is certainly disconcerting for Mikel Arteta, as he needs his captain's goals to help Arsenal climb up the Premier League table. The Arsenal manager needs to figure out a way to help Aubameyang get back to scoring goals again.
#2 Mikel Arteta's faith in Arsenal's youngsters pays off
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe have been huge factors in Arsenal's recent resurgence of sorts. Mikel Arteta's selection of the Arsenal youngsters has been completely justified by the performances they have put in.
Saka and Smith-Rowe add creativity and directness to Arsenal's game, which the likes of Willian haven't been able to produce. The youngsters ran the show against West Brom last night and are in line to continue starting for the team if they keep putting in such performances.
#3 West Brom will do well to stay up
After the loss against Arsenal, the Baggies look doomed to be relegated. West Brom have only won one game in the Premier League this season and look like they cannot avoid the drop. Sam Allardyce's record of never being relegated is under major threat, as the Baggies have been leaking goals all season.
West Brom need to have a great transfer window. They currently look like they require a whole new back-line, as well as a proven centre forward who can get them out of the situation they are in.
#4 Alexandre Lacazette is Arsenal's most important player
Lacazette looks like a different player to what he was 2 months ago, He has been immense for the Gunners in the last month. The Frenchman has been putting in excellent performances over the last few games and has found the net regularly.
His ability to defend from the front and pick off opposition players, helped Arsenal spring counter attacks throughout the game. Also the confidence that he is playing with makes the Frenchman Arsenal's most potent weapon in front of goal. Mikel Arteta will be delighted with the performances that Lacazette is producing.
#5 Arsenal can make a run for a top 6 spot
With the form Arsenal are currently in, don't put it past the Gunners to start rapidly climbing up the table. Mikel Arteta's men look hungry and ready to fight for the badge, after a terrible start to the camapign.
Arsenal currently find themselves in 11th, but only six points off Tottenham in third. If they continue this kind of form, and if the teams above them start to falter, it's not crazy to think that the Gunners could find themselves challenging for a European spot soon.
Mikel Arteta will look to strengthen his side in the January transfer window which would only help in improving Arsenal's fortunes. Also, with the likes of Gabriel and Thomas Partey coming back to full fitness, Arsenal will be a team to watch out for in the coming months.
