Arsenal vs West Bromwich Albion: Complete Player Ratings

Arsenal left it late but secured a 1-0 win against West Brom after an 84th minute header from Olivier Giroud. Here are Pain In the Arsenal’s Player Ratings.

Arsenal were definitely lucky that they had their French forward on the field, as their other star players failed to create a goal through the first 80 minutes.

Related: Arsenal’s 30 Greatest Players Ever

Albion defended with ten men behind the ball and they defended well, staying compact for most of the game. Jonny Evans particularly impressed.

From an Arsenal perspective this win is crucial, as it builds some confidence going into a run of winnable games. Matches against Crystal Palace, Swansea, Burnley, and Watford are ones in which the Gunners should be taking all three points from.

Here are the player ratings.

PETR CECH. 6. Petr Cech had a quiet day at the office, and didn’t face barely any shots on targets in the second half. He wasn’t challenged by West Brom, who set out to defend for 90 minutes.. GK. Arsenal FC

7. Hector Bellerin was always a presence on that right hand side, making overlapping runs down the wing and into the box. His touch was lacking in those key moments when he needed to produce something in the final third, but it was a difficult game that lacked open space and Bellerin will learn how to operate in tight spaces as he gets older.. RB. Arsenal FC. HECTOR BELLERIN

LAURENT KOSCIELNY. 7.5. Laurent Koscielny was composed throughout the game and marshalled Salomon Rondon and Matt Phillips when West Brom had opprtunities to break. He was solid in possession and passed the ball accurately, which helped Arsenal to create offensive chances.. CB. Arsenal FC

7. Gabriel Paulista put in a good showing and made very few mistakes at the back, which helped Arsenal stay in their opposition’s half. Like Koscielny his passing was accurate and he didn’t let the Albion players get in behind him on the break.. CB. Arsenal FC. GABRIEL PAULISTA

LB. Arsenal FC. KIERAN GIBBS. 6. Kieran Gibbs put in a decent showing on the left side before getting injured and subsequently subbed off in the second half. He didn’t make the same kind of penetrating runs that Bellerin did – but Bellerin wasn’t playing behind Alexis.

7. Francis Coquelin was aggressive, physical and adventurous throughout the game, harrying Albion midfielders and wingers who were in possession. He didn’t make any tackles or win any balls that sprung counter-attacks, but he was cutting out the attacks before they started for West Brom. That’s an important role to play.. MID. Arsenal FC. FRANCIS COQUELIN

6.5. Granit Xhaka didn’t do anything special with the ball at his feet in terms of passing or shooting, but he didn’t lose discipline as the game grew frustrating for Arsenal. He held his position in front of the back four and sprayed balls out wide, which is exactly what’s asked of him. If one request could be made to the Swiss midfielder it would be for him to be even more direct with his passing – but that’s up to Wenger.. MID. Arsenal FC. GRANIT XHAKA

7.5. Alexis Sanchez was nearly the difference maker on multiple occasions, hitting the post and being denied by a brilliant Ben Foster multiple times. His effort was, as usual, remarkable, and he didn’t ever let up. Unfortunate not to get himself a goal, but undoubtedly he helped unlock the door for the Gunners as the game went on.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

MESUT OZIL. 6.5. Mesut Ozil was totally absent until the dying moments of the game, when his curling ball found Olivier Giroud’s forehead (which found the back of the net). In the second half when times were getting tough he looked like a spoilt child, who was annoyed the opposing team wasn’t making it easier for him. These Premier League winter periods will hopefully toughen Ozil up as he goes on.. MID. Arsenal FC

7.5. Alex Iwobi was Arsenal’s live wire today, and unless Arsene Wenger has a strict substitution policy with him it makes no sense as to why he was taken off. He made a handful of good attempts on the West Brom goal, and a lot of great attacking runs. His form definitely comes and goes(he is still under 21), but at the moment he looks like the next big thing.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEX IWOBI

7.5. (MAN OF THE MATCH) Olivier Giroud was the difference maker today, scoring the crucial goal to win three points for the Gunners. He may have missed some chances in the second half, but he put away the important one. That’s what matters against sides like Albion. Diego Costa was in basically the same situation when Chelsea won 1-0 over Albion, and pundits were infatuated with him. Giroud deserves all the credit today, especially considering his rough patch of form coming into this match.. ST. Arsenal FC. OLIVIER GIROUD

NACHO MONREAL. 6. Nacho Monreal came on as a substitute for Kieran Gibbs after 70 minutes and made no mistakes, which is all you can ask of a defender. He wasn’t challenged much, as a result of Albion’s tactics, but he did a solid job at left back.. LB. Arsenal FC

N/A. Aaron Ramsey didn’t spend long enough on the pitch to be rated out of 10.. SUB. Arsenal FC. AARON RAMSEY