Arsenal vs. West Bromwich

The strike merely confirmed what the game was clearly telling us – Arsenal were in control.
They continued to hold a firm but hardly vice-like grip on the game until they got their second six minutes before the break.
Van Persie cut the ball back form the byline and Vermaelen thumped home his first goal since the fateful day Aron Ramsey broke his leg at Stoke in February 2010.
It also put Arsenal into positive goal difference for the first time this season.
The first half had been comfortable for an Arsenal side that had barely got out of third gear. The stats said they had enjoyed 71 per cent of possession and had three shots on target, scoring two goals. West Brom had not mustered a shot.
Vermaelen nearly killed off any comeback just before the hour when he slid a header wide from Van Persie’s corner.
Just after that Chris Brunt fly-kicked a shot high over the bar. A decent chance, poorly executed.
But for all Arsenal’s control they had much more left in them. On the hour, Gervinio darted in from the left and Ramsey hooked a shot across the face of goal.
Roy Hodgson brought on Somen Tchoyi for Zoltan Gera to strengthen his front line. They had had precious little joy this afternoon.
However, by now, Arsenal were stirring again. Foster was forced to make a couple of solid saves in quick succession. First from Gervinio’s low drive and then after Song tried to find the top corner from the edge of the box.
In the 70th minute, Walcott drove in from the right flank and Van Persie hoisted his effort over the bar.
Wenger then brought off Ramsey and Gervinio for Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun. It seemed he wanted this game closed off – and that is just what he got.
Sixteen minutes from time, Van Persie touched the ball back for Arteta to sweep home a third. Game, set and match.
Tchoyi escaped shortly afterwards but Vermaelen chased him down all too easily and blocked at the second attempt. It was West Brom’s best chance of the game and also a microcosm of the 90 minutes.
If anything, the visitors had the best period in the final 10 minutes when the game was up.
Steven Reid’s header and James Morrison’s drive were both held by Szczesny.
However, nothing would dent a super (and straightforward) afternoon for Arsenal.