Manuel Almunia - 7 - A couple of excellent saves and looks assured in his new No 1 shirt.
Bacary Sagna - 6 - Below his excellent standards of last season but clearly finding his way back to form after injury.
William Gallas - 7 - Solid at the back from our skipper - just what we needed.
Johann Djourou - 7 - A few nervy moments but a mostly competent performance with a vital goalline clearance.
Gael Clichy - 7 - Back in the groove straightaway and linked up well with his new French colleague.
Theo Walcott - 5 - Poor old Theo - not much went right for him all afternoon, but kept trying.
Emmanuel Eboue - 7 - Fine performance in front of defence - less assured when wasting good chances in front of WBA's goal.
Denilson - 8 - MotM for me - much happier as the more advanced of two central midfielders and showed invention and poise to set up the winning goal.
Samir Nasri - 8 - Encouraging debut, with great movement that showed exactly why Arsene was so keen to sign him.
Emmanuel Adebayor - 6 - Despite what people want to believe, he was trying his best, but will have to do a lot more to win over a small section of what are laughably called supporters.
Nicklas Bendtner - 6 - Some bright movement but hardly the ideal foil for Ade
Subs:
Kolo Toure - 6 - An unusual presence on the right wing.
Robin van Persie - 7 - Sprightly showing from the injury-prone genius.