Match Report: Arsenal 2-0 West Brom

Mikel Arteta converted two penalties to ensure Arsenal took all three points against West Brom, who have now lost three games in a row.The Baggies were forced into an early change when Liam Ridgewell went off injured after five minutes and didn't really get going in the first half.Arsenal dominated possession and chances but went ahead thanks to a questionable penalty decision. Santi Cazorla went down in the area, seemingly under the challenge of Chris Brunt, but replays showed there was no contact.However, the referee pointed to the spot and Arteta calmly dispatched the penalty to give the Gunners the lead after 26 minutes.Arsenal spurned further chances to go ahead. Gervinho saw a shot well saved by Boaz Myhill but was guilty of wasting a number of good opportunities, while Cazorla skewed an effort over the bar and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's overhead kick was way off-target.Gervinho continued in the same vein in the second half, failing to show enough strength in front of goal and being outmuscled by Gareth McAuley.
The lead was doubled midway through the second period, with a second penalty awarded after Oxlade-Chamberlain was upended by Brunt. Arteta once again stepped up and in a carbon copy of the first penalty went down the middle with Myhill beaten.Arsenal were well on top, with Jack Wilshere directing the midfield, but couldn't add to their tally. Olivier Giroud headed over from close range, Arteta hit a free-kick just wide and substitute Lukas Podolski somehow contrived to miss in injury time when completely unmarked in the area, scooping the ball over the bar.
Arsene Wenger will be relieved to have secured the three points but will be concerned by his side's failure to convert numerous chances, while West Brom's slump continues.