It was a controlled performance from the Gunners who gave West Brom few chances and very little possession.
Alexis Sanchez would score early, breaking open and firing a shot luckily through an Albion defender and into the corner of the goal.
Albion had their best chance of the match midway in the first half when McAuley headed against the crossbar from a corner.
Arsenal would double their lead when Sanchez hit a beautiful free-kick at the wall and it opened up (thanks to Giroud and Mertesacker) and the ball beat a stranded Foster.
In the second half Albion attacked more, Arsenal countered but couldn’t extend their lead, despite a number of promising moves or attacks.
Their lack of poise in front of goal has been a factor in their poor season, witness the disparity in their goal difference statistics compared to their rivals at the top. They really should have scored five.
Player Ratings:
Cech 6: Had little to do, but looked vulnerable on corners.
Bellerin 6: He had a good match, but couldn’t serve up a decent cross. He cut inside once to good effect, but his shot skied over the top.
Mertesacker 7: A good match from Per. He dominated most of the high balls and he was sure in possession.
Koscielny 7: Like Per he had a good game. Kept Berahino quiet.
Monreal 6: Steady but quiet performance from Nacho.
Elneny 7: Played the holding role. Was quietly effective, energetic, and was tidy in possession.
Ramsey 7: Back in the starting lineup. He had a good game, but he lacked composure in the final third, where he was too often greedy or clumsy around the goal.
Ozil 7: He might have had a hat-trick were he a better finisher. The one time he did beat Foster, the shot which went through his legs, was cleared off the line.
Iwobi 7: Looked dangerous a number of times, but he’ll be disappointed that he didn’t make more with his opportunities. He had one moment in the second half when he made a terrific run, only to not make the pass when he should’ve and to end up stumbling and losing a great chance to get an assist.
Giroud 7: Restored to the starting lineup. I’m sure he was upset with the service he received during the game, as time and again passes never came or came too slowly. He had one great opportunity in the second half, but his strike cannoned off Foster’s face.
Sanchez 8: He had some phenomenal moments in the first half when he twisted or turned around a defender into space where he wreaked havoc with the Albion defence. It was a moment like this that saw him score his first goal. His free-kick was audacious and typical of someone playing with loads of confidence. It was just a pity he never got the hat-trick.
Substitutes:
Coquelin n/a: Came on late for some defence.
Walcott n/a: No real impact on the game.
Campbell 6: He made a couple of incisive moves down the left flank that caused Albion a few problems near the end.