Goals from Van Persie, Vermaelen and Arteta give Arsenal win

Arsenal proved they are not a one man team as they beat West Brom 3-0 at the Emirates. Van Persie was once again on the scoresheet but was not the main man, as Vermaelen got his first of the season whilst Arteta got his first goal in an Arsenal shirt at home. The Gunners also grabbed a clean sheet which means that they are getting much better defensively as Mertesacker was rested whilst Koscielny took his place and Vermaelen returned from injury. Jenkinson also returned at right back as Djourou missed out.

Arteta scored his first Arsenal goal at the Emirates

The first chance of the game brought a goal, 22 minutes in. Ramsey set Walcott free down the right hand side who got forward and hit a shot which was parmed away by Foster but straight at Van Persie who tapped the ball in.

Six minutes before the break Arsenal went 2-0 up. Song playing the ball into the box to Van Persie who pulled it back into the path of Vermaelen who then slotted his shot past Foster to extend the Gunners lead. 

It was a half of little chances as Arsenal dominated the possession. West Brom had no shots at the Arsenal goal so the score at half time remained 2-0.

The first chance of the second half came Arsenal's way. Jenkinson got forward from right back before delivering the ball into the box towards Gervinho on the edge of the six yard box. However McAuley got to the ball first and  put it out for a corner. From the resulting corner Vermaelen had a great chance to get his second of the game as Van Persie whipped in a corner but the Belgian defender put his header wide.

Gervinho then set up a chance for Ramsey. Gervinho received the ball and then found Ramsey who took a touch and stabbed his left footed shot across the face of goal but wide of the target.

The next opportunity for the Gunners fell to Gervinho as he got past his man and then played a one-two with Arteta before firing a shot from a tight angle which was saved comfortably by Foster in the West Brom goal.

Gervinho was creating lots of scoring opportunities for his team mates and next he was able to set up another one for Song who tried to curl his shot past Foster but he was equal to it and beat the ball away.

West Brom were not at their best, and Walcott was able to run at the defence. He cut inside and found Van Persie who skied his shot miles over the bar and for once the Dutchman failed to hit the target.

17 minutes from the end Arsenal went 3-0 up. Rosicky picked up the ball and then found Van Persie who layed the ball off to Arteta on the edge of the box who curled a shot past Foster for his second of the season.

Near to the end of the game West Brom eventually found some life as Jerome Thomas fired a shot at goal which was deflected and went out for a corner. From the corner they managed to get their first attempt on target. Brunt swung in the ball and picked out Steven Reid but his header was straight at Szczesny.

Albion then had another chance to get a consolation goal as Song brought down Thorne which resulted in a freekick. Morrison took the set piece but smashed his shot high and wide.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-0 West Brom.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Santos, Song, Ramsey(71), Arteta, Walcott(78), Gervinho(72), Van Persie. 
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou, Mertesacker, Benayoun(72), Rosicky(71), Arshavin(78), Park.

West Brom: Foster, Reid, Olsson, McAuley, Jones, Brunt, Morrison, Dorrans(81), Gera(63), Thomas, Cox(71).
Subs: Fulop, Shorey, Thorne(81), Dawson, Mulumbu(71), Fortune, Tchoyi(63).

My man of the match: Thomas Vermaelen

Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 60,091