Arsenal 2-0 WBA: Lacazette sinks Baggies at Emirates

Alexandre Lacazette's brace helped Arsenal to a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Monday in a premier League week six fixture at the Hawthorns.

Lacazette who arrived Arsenal from Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyon in a big money move scored in both halves as Arsenal moved five places up the Premier League table from 12th spot.

The Frenchman's first goal came off a header following an Alexis Sanchez's rebound freekick that hit the woodwork while his second arrived from a spot-kick after the break. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made changes to the side that struggled to a lone goal win over Doncaster Rovers in a League Cup game. Petr Cech returned in place of David Ospina and was guarded by a front three of Nacho Monreal, Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny.

Else where, Mohammed Elneny and Granit Xhaka anchored the midfield and were flanked by Sead Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin to the left and right respectively. Alexis Sanchez kept his place in the attacking three man formation that had Lacazette and supported by Aaron Ramsey.

FIRST HALF

Arsenal survived their first let off inside the opening 10 minutes. Shkodran Mustafi mistimed his tackle on Rodriguez inside the area, but rather than give the penalty, the referee allowed play on as Rodriguez picked himself up and fired goalwards. Cech dived to his left and made a fantastic low save to flick the ball onto the post, and Jake Livermore scuffed the rebound wide.

The Emirates faithful breathed a sigh of relief. Aaron Ramsey moments later headed over from a Hector Bellerin cross as the home side tried to work their way back into the game.

It was a fairly even opening 20 minutes, until Arsenal took the lead after Mohamed Elneny was fouled just outside the area. Alexis stood over the freekick and curled his free-kick against the bar with Lacazette making himself available to pounce from close range.
At the other end former Gunner Kieran Gibbs flashed a speculative effort over, but Arsenal were on the front foot now.

Alexis struck another free-kick wide as Arsenal put the visiting defence under increased pressure.

As the half drew to a close, the hosts were indebted to Monreal, who made a spectacular, acrobatic clearance to prevent Rodriguez heading Albion level.

The visitors certainly ended the half on top, and Arsenal's defence had to stand firm as West Brom won a succession of corners.

SECOND HALF

The half-time break allowed Wenger men to settle, and they began the second period full of intent.

Lacazette saw an effort charged down when Mohamed Elneny laid the ball off to him in the area before Arsenal doubled the lead from the penalty spot.

Ramsey did superbly well to beat Allan Nyom by the touchline inside the area, and the Cameroonian defender bundled him over. Lacazette made no mistake from 12 yards.

The Gunners were in control now. Lacazette nearly had his hat-trick but smashed his effort over after taking the ball round Ben Foster before Hector Bellerin saw his long-range goalbound effort saved superbly by Forster.

The Gunners' boss brought on Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud for the final few minutes. The latter set up Ramsey in the box late on, but the Welshman forced another good save from Foster.