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Arsenal produced their best attacking performance of the season so far to record three wins on the rebound and give West Brom a resounding 4-0 loss.
Encouraged by his recent return to form, Arsenal He flew out of the traps and forced Sam Johnstone to make an early save.
The ball broke towards attacker Héctor Bellerin on the edge of the area, but despite the power of his blow, Johnstone saved with his feet to preserve the deadlock.
Bukayo Saka then tried his luck from a similar position, but his shot lacked the power needed with his weaker foot to disturb the West brom goalkeeper.
The youngster’s impact on the game grew by the minute, and his quick feet soon shaped the best chance in the game yet.
His mocking cross at the far post tempted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon international lunged for the ball, but his contact was light as the ball flew agonizingly wide.
The Baggies threatened to punish the visitors for their failures when Matt Phillips approached, but it was Arsenal who finally made the breakthrough.
Kieran Tierney left Darnell Furlong in his dust before slicing inward and making a delicious effort past Johnstone’s outstretched hand.
Ohhh! Kieran Tierney! That is special! 😍
A tremendous solo goal from the Arsenal man 👏
Struck with poise! 💥 pic.twitter.com/gQ0r6NGs37
– Football at BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 2, 2021
It was a pulse-pounding goal, but it was immediately passed when Arsenal scored a truly magnificent team goal minutes later.
The superb interplay between Alexandre Lacazette, Emile Smith-Rowe and Saka left West Brom’s bottom line at six and seven.
Smith-Rowe finally got the ball back after several passes for the first time, before putting it on a plate for Saka a touch home from close range.
Vintage arsenal! 🔥
An excellent team move completed by Bukayo Saka ✨
That was great! 👏 pic.twitter.com/jQKtlQlJ4Z
– Football at BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 2, 2021
Snow continued to cover the field during the break, but West Brom’s spirit was unaffected by difficult playing conditions as they put the ball into the net after just 90 seconds.
Matheus Pereira hit the post before Callum Robinson scored the rebound. However, the flag was belatedly raised by Pereira’s offside, ensuring that the score remained 2-0.
West Brom’s feeble hopes for a coeback were later dashed through a really terrible period of defense.
Semi Ajayi’s bad touch gave Lacazette possession before the Frenchman fed Saka down the right. His cross was volleyed off his own post by Ajayi, before Lacazette finally concealed a fumble seconds later.
Glorious work by Ajayi for Arsenal’s 3rd.
– gives it away
– Hit your own post with a volley.
– it hits the wotsits
– Lacazette scores– Max Rushden (@maxrushden) January 2, 2021
Three soon became four as Lacazette scored her second after a precise cross from Tierney.
Aubameyang missed a quick opportunity to put in fifth after Willian’s wandering effort caught him off guard in the area. More opportunities came and went for the leader, but it seemed destined not to be his night as West Brom struggled to contain the score.
It didn’t matter though, as the three points were eventually secured to make three straight wins for Mikel Arteta’s men.
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