Arsenal had to come from behind and settle for a point as they drew 2-2 with West Brom on Saturday afternoon. Both of West Brom's goals should have been dealt with but second half strikes from Arshavin and Van Persie ensured Arsenal picked up vital points to keep them in the title race. The Gunners fielded their strongest team possible with Squillaci coming in for the injured Djourou and Ramsey in for Diaby. On the bench 41 year old goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was back at Arsenal for his second spell as he comes into the side as an emergency back up keeper with Fabianski, Sczcesny and Mannone all injured.Just three minutes into the game West Brom took the lead. The corner being swung into the box and onto the head of Reid who from 6 yards out gave Albion the lead.
Arsenal then had two chances in quick succession to equalise. The first one fell to Van Persie, who from Clichy's cross hit the bar. The ball then bounced back to Ramsey who could only find Carson when he should have scored.
For some time of the first half West Brom had to play with 10 men as Morrison had to come off the field with a head injury.
The score at half time was 1-0 to West Brom.
The first chance of the second half fell to West Brom and Brunt, and he should have scored it. Cech playing the ball across the box to the back post where Brunt could only find the side netting with his chance.
Then West Brom doubled their advantage with the help of a goalkeeping error from Almunia. Mulumbu playing a ball forward which looked no danger until Almunia came haring out of his goal to deal with the ball from outside his area but Squillaci was there to deal with it. However Almunia and Squllaci got in each others way and Odemwingie was there to put the ball into an empty net.
20 minutes from the end Arsenal found a way
back into the game through Arshavin. The Russian playing a one-two with Chamakh before unleashing a left footed shot into the back of the net for 2-1.8 minutes later the Gunners were level and Arshavin was at the heart of it again. Arshavin delivering the ball in from the left towards Bendtner who put the ball back across goal into Van Persie who could not miss.
Then West Brom had a great chance to win it. Fortune skipping past 2 players before hitting a shot which was blocked brilliantly by Squillaci.
It was then Arsenal's turn to try and grab a winner. First through Clichy but Carson kept the frenchman out and then through Chamakh but his shot was blocked by a defender.
The final score ended West Brom 2-2 Arsenal.
The teams lineups:
West Brom: Carson, Meite, Olsson, Shorey, Thomas, Morrison, Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner(46), Reid, Odemwingie(72).
Subs: Myhill, Tamas, Cech(46), Jara, Tchoyi, Fortune(72), Cox.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Arshavin, Nasri, Ramsey(56), Denilson(46), Wilshere, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Miquel, Gibbs, Eboue, Rosicky, Chamakh(46), Bendtner(56).
My man of the match: Andrey Arshavin
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Attendance: 25,729
