Arsenal FC

2.81

• 
  26

  118

  2.50

  Manuel Almunia

  From zero to hero in a matter of moments — the Spaniard could have been sent off when he brought down Peter Odemwingie in the box, but avoided that additional punishment and then stopped Brunt's poor penalty. Made a couple of smart saves, but poor positioning and handling for two of West Brom's subsequent three goals ensured the same old complaints will be heard this week.

• 
  20

  40

  3.00

  Bacary Sagna

  An energetic presence on the right hand side, drove forward beyond Eboue frequently to provide a width that would otherwise have been lacking with Nasri operating inside. Put in a decent shift, and other than some poor defending for Odemwingie's goal was generally solid.

• 
  14

  40

  2.50

  Sébastien Squillaci

  Not the best of afternoons for the former Sevilla man, who coped with Odemwingie easily when the ball was in the air but struggled to deal with trouble on the deck. The easy manner of the three goals conceded will anger Arsene Wenger.

• 
  25

  69

  2.50

  Laurent Koscielny Flop of the Match

  Lost track of Odemwingie as the Nigerian ran through to win his side a penalty. A lack of concentration that could have cost his side, the Frenchman seemed to have shaken off that error until West Brom suddenly got on top in the second half. After being found wanting, an afternoon he will want to forget.

• 
  15

  50

  2.50

  Gael Clichy

  Another defender who failed to cover himself with glory, often beaten for pace and movement by WBA's attackers and struggling to have any impact on his forays further forward.

• 
  42

  24

  3.00

  Alexandre Song

  Impressed with his passing and tough tackling in the centre of midfield, but was somewhat undermined by the lack of cohesion with the rest of his midfield partners.

• 
  13

  62

  2.50

  A. Diaby

  A quiet afternoon from the sizeable Frenchman, on an afternoon when it would have been nice to see him step up to the plate. Organisation in midfield was a problem throughout the game, although Diaby occasionally showed some classy touches around the box. Early replacement underlined his troubles.

• 
  15

  53

  3.00

  Emmanuel Eboue

  A willing run, seemed to fulfil his role — as a midfield 'water carrier', covering the right side — with the minimum of fuss. But perhaps could have offered a bit more incision further forward, as Sagna toiled valiantly on his own. Early withdrawal a comment on the failing midfield system more than his own performance.

• 
  129

  8

  3.50

  Samir Nasri

  On balance probably Arsenal's most likely goalscoring threat, at least in the first half, the diminutive forward dropped in just behind Chamakh to try and offer an outlet. But passes only occasionally created real danger, although he did get perhaps a deserved goal after fine solo work, then added another after finally showing some composure inside the box. The only shame was that he could not finish the comeback.

• 
  21

  52

  2.50

  Andrey Arshavin

  Came close when he hit the post twice in quick succession — but was far from at his best despite being pinpointed by many fans as the man needed to step up in Fabregas' absence. Failed in that respect, and went missing in the second half when he was needed most.

• 
  37

  30

  3.00

  Marouane Chamakh

  He's not quite Robin van Persie, but he did a serviceable impression of the Dutchman with his link-up play throughout the game. Aerial threat is all it is made out to be — and more than once nearly got on the end of a speculative cross that could have changed the course of the match. Helped in the fightback when it came, but couldn't find the finish himself that perhaps Van Persie would have.

Substitutions

• 
  58

  15

  3.00

  Tomas Rosicky

  Replaced Diaby in a double switch just before the hour. Immediately made Arsenal look far more dangerous going forward, but will rue the last-ditch effort he hit narrowly over the bar.

• 
  23

  32

  3.00

  Carlos Vela

  Late replacement , but bizarrely dropped very deep as Arsenal tried to get an elusive late equaliser.

• 
  55

  16

  0.00

  Jack Wilshere

  Replaced Eboue just before the hour. Showed a hunger and desire to get back into the game that perhaps more of his team-mates should have replicated.

West Bromwich Albion

3.29

• 
  8

  5

  3.00

  Scott Carson

  Time wasting, from as early as 20 minutes in, really riled up the crowd, but the former England shot-stopper was reasonably solid as he kept an uncharacteristically lifeless Arsenal attack at bay. Perhaps will be disappointed with Nasri's first goal, but at least held on in injury time to keep the three points in the bag.

• 
  10

  5

  3.50

  Gonzalo Jara

  The Chilean is a decent defender who exhibited his solid positioning to keep Arshavin quiet and peg Clichy back. The right-back then showed a flash of attacking quality with his goal — a decent run and shot even if Almunia should have done better.

• 
  4

  5

  3.00

  Pablo Ibáñez

  A classy defender, who uses anticipation more than brute force to stop his man, Ibanez found perhaps his ideal opponent today in Arsenal. Followed Chamakh for much of the game, and did well to keep him quiet while the ball was on the deck.

• 
  10

  6

  3.50

  Jonas Olsson

  West Brom's key man when it came to headers, winning many in and around his own box to remove danger. Occasionally rode his luck but will cherish the clean sheet.

• 
  6

  8

  3.00

  Nicky Shorey

  An unfussy performance from the experienced campaigner, he was composed on the ball and, although Sagna occasionally got around him, didn't give much away for free until Nasri's late goal.

• 
  11

  4

  3.50

  Youssouf Mulumbu

  An impressive performance from the deep-lying midfielder, disrupting play whenever it came near him and, on the whole, passing the ball with aplomb to set up his side's counter-attacks. One to watch in future.

• 
  5

  3

  3.00

  Paul Scharner

  Looks to be enjoying his midfield-only status, giving his side a more physical edge in the middle of the park as he frequently moved upfield to support and complement Odemwingie.

• 
  5

  5

  3.50

  Chris Brunt

  Saw his penalty, a poor one by any standards, saved by Almunia — but recovered from that disappointment to provide Thomas' third goal and generally showed up the more vaunted opposition with his running and workrate.

• 
  6

  4

  3.00

  James Morrison

  A hard-working display from the midfielder, who was brought off with 10 minutes remaining as his work rate began to have its effect. Was a major reason behind Arsenal's midfield incohesion.

• 
  34

  13

  4.00

  Jerome Thomas Top of the Match

  Against the club with which he stated his career, Thomas was a frequent thorn in Sagna's side. Provided the ball for Odemwingie's opener and was then on hand to tap in what provided to be the decisive goal of the game. An afternoon to remember.

• 
  43

  7

  3.50

  Peter Odemwingie

  What a find the Nigerian forward is proving to be. His clever run earned a penalty that should have been finished off, but he returned to score the opener in the second half and constantly provided a counter-attacking outlet with his pace and movement.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  5

  3.00

  Steven Reid

  Replaced Scharner to see out the game. Just about managed to do so.

• 
  3

  5

  0.00

  Somen Tchoyi

  Late replacement for the impressive Thomas.

• 
  5

  3

  0.00

  Graham Dorrans

  Brought on instead of Morrison with around 10 minutes remaining.