Arsenal started excellent in 2021. The Gunners played a very strong game and won 4-0 away to West Bromwich Albion. Mikel Arteta’s team dominated the whole match and could have won by a bigger margin.
Kieran Tierney opened the game in the 23rd minute after a wonderful individual run. A little later Bukayo Saka doubled the lead of the guests. After the break Alexandre Lacazette scored twice to make the final 4-0.
After Arsenal were close to the relegation zone a few weeks ago, fans of the team now have hopes that the new year will be different. After its third consecutive victory the team is in 11th, but is no longer so far behind the teams above it. West Bromwich are still in the 19th place with only eight points. Sam Allardyce has a lot of work to do in his attempt to save the team from relegation.
In the third minute, Hector Bellerin’s shot was deflected by Johnston and followed Saka attempt was blocked. The attacks of the Londoners continued and the goalkeeper of the hosts had to intervene several more times. In the 16th minute Ceballos led Saka on the right wing and the talent tried to find Aubameyang, but the he missed the ball. After several more dangerous attacks by The Gunners, an excellent counterattack brought West Brom’s Philips into position. He tried a volley, but Leno deflected the shot.
Arsenal’s dominance began to materialize in goals in the 23rd minute after a magnificent individual action Kieran Tierney dribbled from the left, overcame Furlong, entered the penalty area and sent the ball to the left corner of Johnstone. A little later, the guests already had two goals advantage. Unlike the first goal, the second came after a wonderful team combination. It went through Smith Rowe, Saka and Lacazette and was completed by Saka.
After an hour of play Arsenal scored third goal by Lacazette. After a series of shots the Frenchman sent the ball into the net. Four minutes later Lacazette scored again. He was left alone in the penalty area and after a cross by Tierney put the ball behind Johnstone for 4-0.
In the next round Arsenal will face a city rival Crystal Palace. West Bromwich Albion visits 13th Wolverhampton. The triumph was extremely valuable for The Gunners, who registered third consecutive victory, scored 8 goals and conceded just one.
