Losses by Everton, Cardiff City and Fulham on Saturday meant that Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion had very little to play for on Sunday. And they looked very much like two teams that were aware of that fact as they played out a slow-paced game, fairly light on chances. Arsenal scored early and that was the game, as the Gunners coasted to a 1-0 win.
Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion: Final score 1-0, snore
Arsenal scored and then nothing else happened.
West Brom sat out to defend from the beginning of the game, which has generally been a dangerous game to play at Emirates Stadium whenever Arsenal have Mesut Özil healthy. But as solid as Özil was on the day, the Gunners' first half goal didn't come from him, but a corner. Olivier Giroud was the scorer, tallying his 22nd goal of the season with an impressively directed header off a delivery by Santi Cazorla.
And that was that, for the most part. West Brom hardly had any dangerous moments and Arsenal were pretty content to keep possession for the rest of the match. Ben Foster made a couple of saves late in the second half, but Arsenal didn't challenge his goal at all in the second. West Brom didn't challenge the goal of Wojciech Szczesny either.
This was a waste of everyone’s time.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Monreal (Vermaelen 80’), Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna, Arteta (Kallstrom 63’), Flamini, Podolski, Özil, Cazorla (Rosicky 70’), Giroud
Goals: Giroud (14’)
West Brom: Foster, Olsson, Lugano, Dawson, Brunt, Morrison, Dorrans, Mulumbu (Vydra 85’), Amalfitano (Anichebe 80’), Sessegnon, Berahino
Goals: None
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