Arsenal 1 - West Bromwich Albion 0

Date: Sunday 4th May 2014 Live on Sky Sports
Competition: Barclays Premier League
Arsenal:
6.5
WBA:
5.7
(4-4-2) Foster 7.8, Dawson 4.4, Lugano 5.4, Olsson 7.2, Brunt 6.7, Amalfitano 4.9 (Anichebe, 80 6.3), Mulumbu 6.3 (Vydra, 85 5.2), Morrison 5.9, Dorrans 7.1, Sessegnon 6.1, Berahino 5.8
Unused subs: Myhill, Yacob, Sinclair, McAuley, O'Neil
Manager: Pepe Mel 6.2
Referee: Mike Jones (Chester) 6.4
Attendance: 60,021   Home Fans 3.9   Away Fans 8.0

Summary:

A somewhat makeshift Albion side succumbed to a defeat at the Emirates, but nonetheless ended the weekend with next season's Premiership status all but mathematically assured. Injuries to Billy Jones, Steven Reid and Liam Ridgewell meant that their back four consisted of three centre halves and a midfielder as Chris Brunt was played at left back, while the midfield was more conventional with James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu in the centre.

The only goal of the game came from Olivier Giround when he got ahead of Craig Dawson to nod home Santi Cazorla's corner in just the fourteenth minute, though it wasn't helped by Mulumbu's token gesture at defending the near post.

Albion were pretty much second best for most of the game despite Arsenal having nothing of real note to play for, their Champion's League place having already been confirmed. Albion ended the weekend three points ahead of Norwich with a goal difference nineteen better, and relegation confirmed for Fulham and Cardiff, so barring two massive defeats against Sunderland and Stoke and one huge win for Norwich against Arsenal, they will finish outside the bottom three.

Paul Gainham:

We huffed and puffed but seldom did we blow on Scezny's door. Yet again the utter predictability of games like this bloody frustrates me - Sunderland have shown that with some real fight and guile you can come to places like this an get something. After a pretty dull 1H we came back possession wise in the 2H but still did not have enough smarts to open up a relatively weak Arsenal back line IMO.

So now we are again reliant on others and hopefully Chelsea will put us out of out misery today and take at least a point against Norwich.

One positive today, the support from the ~3000 Albion fans was excellent, totally out sung the 'Highbury Library'

They are the worst fans in the PL by far IMO.

Player marks

  • Foster 8 one excellent save in the 1H, was not troubled that much
  • Dawson 1 A truly appalling defender and should be got rid of in the Summer.
  • Olsson 8. A pretty commanding performance from him, did little wrong.
  • Lugano 6 I don't remember him doing anything wrong but he always worries me with the ball
  • Brunt 7. A solid game gain at LB.
  • Mulumbu 7. Pretty good showing.
  • Morrison 7. Always looked energetic and willing
  • Amalfitano 5. Blew hot and cold again
  • Dorrans 7. Tried but often looked frustrated by the lack of an outlet
  • Sessegnon 7. Again looked threatening but end product occasionally let him down.
  • Berahino 7 certainly tried but mostly had a fruitless afternoon.
  • Coach 5. Putting Dawson anywhere on the pitch was a huge mistake

Mark Koppel:

Lets face it, we have gone seriously backwards this season and without a change of policy at the top we will be in even more relegation trouble next year.

Because our Chairman has refused to invest sufficiently in building the squad, we are now in catch up mode,and have to buy 2 years worth of players in only one transfer window to avoid relegation.

Today only helped to demonstrate what player investment is required which includes:

  • Two new full backs.
  • A much better Central Defender to cover for when McCauley and/or Olson aren't available.
  • A striker, or two, to replace what we have lost in Odemwingie, Lukaku, and Long.
  • Replacements for all the loans players in the first team squad that will go.

The most worrying aspect is that Jeremy Peace cannot change, doesn't want to change, and won't change.

Player Ratings Today:

  • Foster 7 - Once again the score could have been much worse without him.
  • Dawson 3 - Watched this lad several times now and unlike Billy Jones, does not really show any sign of improvement. Ran ragged first half , put 3 free headers over their bar from set pieces , and also at fault for their goal. A Championship Defender at best.
  • Olson 7 - As per Foster, covers up for the other 3 weak defenders. With Foster, Mulumbu, and Odemwingie, Olson forms the big spine of West Bromwich Albion that Dan Ashworth put together. We have already lost the front part of that spine and suffered accordingly. We will suffer even more if any other part of this spine goes.
  • Looony 1 - The good news is that there are spare places at my 94 year old Nan's Nursing Home in Smethwick. This should be Loony's next move as they move at a similar speed. Not only does he move like a slug on valium, but he must be the worst header of a football that has ever played professionally at Centre Back. His headers go in any direction but the correct way.
  • Brunt 6 - Some useful distribution today but is not the long term left back solutions as he cannot tackle.
  • The French Powder Puff 1 - Didn't know someone had decided to end his loan spell early!
  • Dorrans 6 - His confidence and skills are now much more in abundance. Starting to look like a PL Player for us in the future.
  • Mulumbu 6 - Good effort today without really threatening Arsenal when in attack.
  • Morrison 6 - As per Mulumbu.
  • Sess 6 - As per Morrison.
  • Berahino 7 - Put a shift in which is promising as he obviously has talent. Could be the new Michael Owen or the next Luke Moore. Still on a knife-edge.

Subs:

  • Big Vic 7 - Cannot believe he was left on the bench for so long, especially as the French Powder Puff was allegedly on the pitch instead of him. Even though only on for 15-20mins max, gave their defence something to be concerned about.
  • The English Powder Puff 2 - Got a lot to learn if he wants to be a PL Striker.

Pepe 7 - I think Pepe should stay and be given the opportunity to rebuild the Squad so damaged by under-investment.He could build something new and exciting. I fear Peace will sack him rather than back him,and then bring in an even more inexperienced, cheap option

Didcot Baggie:

Not much to report from a game that seemed end of season for both clubs - Dawson was a makeshift right-back and struggled but I won't be as harsh on him as other correspondents - he was up against one of the best attacks in the league. Foster had a great game and I have no worries if he gets called upon for England in Brazil - in fact I hope he gets his chance. The rest of the team had a go but with no real outlets up front. We need a premiership class striker otherwise we will be lucky to find three teams worse than us next season.

Full credit to the Albion fans who were in excellent party mode. The support for Pepe Mel was good to see, but I still wonder if he is the man for us. Nice guy and doing his best but reminds me of Martin Jol at Fulham - and we have seen how that ended.

My last game of the season and thankfully barring a catastrophe we are safe. So I can miss the Stoke game and not worry. This has been a miserable season with little to get excited about. But keep the faith Baggies fans - we're the best fans in the league and will always be proud to be Baggies no matter what the club does. Boing Boing!