Arsenal hosted West Brom in the Premier League after the draw against Marseille and Arsene Wenger made a few changes to the side that played in midweek. Laurent Koscielny replaced Per Mertesacker in the heart of the defense while Arsenal’s man on fire replaced Park Chu-Young to spearhead the attack.
Aaron Ramsey started a delightful move that saw Theo Walcott go clear of the defender marking him. Ben Foster made a good save from Walcott’s effort but the ball sailed aimlessly to the wrong player in the planet as Robin van Persie scored his easiest goal in 2011 with a simple right-footed finish from less than six yards out.
That was his 11th goal in Arsenal’s 11th league game and the last player to achieve such a feat was the K-legged JimmyFloyd Hasselbaink in the yesteryears. Arsenal went two up when Alex Song flicked the ball to van Persie and his drilled effort into the box arrived at Thomas Vermaelen’s feet with the Verminator wasting no time in dispatching his ninth goal in Arsenal colors.
That effort was Vermaelen’s first goal since that 3-1 victory in February 2010 against Stoke in Britannia Stadium in a game that was marred by Ramsey’s horrific leg break. Vermaelen almost got his second in the second half when he nodded van Persie’s in-swinger just wide off the mark.
Koscielny assumed the role of a libero when he took the ball from Somen Tchoyi before feeding van Persie then continued his run forward. Van Persie returned the ball back to the centre back that was close to West Brom’s box but Olsson did well to block Kos for an easy catch for Foster.
Wenger brought on Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun for Ramsey and Gervinho and one of the substitutes had a hand in Arsenal’s third goal. It was the classic definition of a team goal with passes exchanged between Song, van Persie, Rosicky, van Persie again before it was converted with consummate ease by Mikel Arteta.
West Brom almost spoilt Arsenal’s party when Tchoyi was one on one with Wojciech Szczesny after a pass eluded Koscielny but Vermaelen executed a perfect block to keep Arsenal’s clean sheet in check.
Szczesny (7.0) was relatively untroubled.
Jenkinson (8.5) produced his best performance in Arsenal colors and sent a lot of quality crosses into West Brom’s danger area.
Andre Santos (6.5) had a good day at the office.
Koscielny (8.0) put up a stellar performance and proved again why he’s to be selected above Per Mertesacker.
Vermaelen (8.5) was a colossus at the back and showed his eye for goal with a well-taken finish.
Song (7.5) was involved in the attacking play that led to two Arsenal goals.
Arteta (8.0) scored his first goal at the Emirates.
Ramsey (7.0) continued his fledgling Arsenal career with another improved performance.
Gervinho (6.5) didn’t really come into the party.
Walcott (6.5) had a shot that was saved which led to Arsenal’s first goal.
Van Persie (9.0) scored a goal and handed two assists. Another reason to forget Cesc Batman.
Rosicky (7.0) looked vibrant in his play.
Benayoun (7.0) showed good sleek movement.
Arshavin didn’t play long enough to get a Gooner Daily rating.
The international break beckons and all gooners will be hoping that Arsene Wenger’s men will go through the last international set of fixtures unscathed.
