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Arsenal vs West Brom: Gunner’s Defense Secures Game
By Josh Sippie
Seeing Laurent Kocielny back into the starting lineup next to Per Mertesacker was as welcome a sight as Arsenal have seen all year (right next to Giroud’s goal last week). He and Mertesakcer were absolutely blemishless and Calum Chambers continued his run of good form as well. Monreal was solid until his injury and Gibbs stepped up his play when he came on in the 22nd minute.
1-0 doesn’t sound like a convincing win, but it was. Arsenal had the gross majority of the chances. Santi Cazorla was absolutely brilliant in the center of midfield. His run that set up Danny Welbeck was superb and he was creating chances all match. He’s still unable to find his finishing touch but his other contributions overshadowed that.
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Having Olivier Giroud, Welbeck and Alexis on the pitch at the same time felt like a formidable force. Giroud’s ability to hold up play is going to combine beautifully with the speed and runs of Welbeck and Alexis (and Ox and Walcott), it’s just a matter of time.
For the first time this season, I was okay with Arsenal going into a shell for the greater majority of the second half. With a stoic back four like they had today, it wasn’t too much of a concern to see a constant West Brom attack because they only really created a handful of chances and were then opened up for the counter attack from Arsenal.
Welbeck needed a goal and he notched a great one. Being 6’1″ he should be winning many more aerial duels and heading in balls just like he did today.
It was a great team win for the Gunner’s, who’ve finally strung two together. Let’s hope the good form continues and the starting XI stay healthy.
Next up: Southampton on Wednesday, December 3.
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