West Brom 1 Arsenal 1: Kieran Gibbs back to haunt former club as Alexis Sanchez silences critics before being mobbed by team-mates
Left-back won an extremely controversial penalty off Calum Chambers when the ball clipped the defender's arm
Left-back won an extremely controversial penalty off Calum Chambers when the ball clipped the defender's arm
KIERAN GIBBS came back to haunt his former club after winning a controversial penalty to help rescue a point for the Baggies.
The left-back's cross hit the arm of Calum Chambers from close range before referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot much to the disbelief of Arsene Wenger.
Chambers' arm appeared tucked into his body at the point of contact.
Jay Rodriguez made no mistake from the spot to salvage a result after Alexis Sanchez thought he won it in the last 10 minutes.
The Chilean's free-kick found a small gap in the wall and sneaked into the corner before being mobbed by his team-mates in celebration.
Considering Manchester City’s injury problems, whether Sanchez remains at the club remains to be seen but he made his mark in an otherwise terrible game - only for it to end in controversy.
Arsenal started the brighter but West Brom managed the first effort of the game, Rodriguez sending a header straight at Petr Cech, who soon after cause panic by fumbling a cross.
Alexandre Lacazette had a shot deflected for a corner and Alex Iwobi delivered a disappointing shot wide after showing strength to see off Jonny Evans.
Iwobi also forced Ben Foster to push away another shot safety but Arsene Wenger’s team did not have it all their own way.
Considering they had not won since August – and had failed to muster a victory in Alan Pardew’s six games – West Brom did okay.
Matt Phillips caused wing-back Sead Kolasinac problems and Gareth Barry kept a firm eye on Jack Wilshere.
With eight minutes of the first half left, Kolasinac, who suffered a knee injury, was replaced by Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Nothing happened in the second half until the hour mark when Lacazette received a flick from Iwobi and danced past a couple of players before seeing his shot well saved by Foster.
The West Brom keeper then received a let-off when Lacazette failed to get a touch from close range - following a great pass from Sanchez - and the ball sailed wide. Any contact from Lacazette, who was under pressure from Evans, and the ball would surely have ended up in the net.
Sanchez had a quiet game and in his first opportunity could only find the side netting.
Not enjoying the best of games, Iwobi delivered a lazy shot into the arms of Foster.
And there were cheers from the Arsenal fans when Iwobi was replaced by Danny Welbeck with 16 minutes to go.
Rodriguez stung the hands of Cech with a decent shot.
But as the game was drifting towards a draw, Sanchez won a free-kick, struck the shot and McClean turned his back – with the ball deflecting into the net past a stranded Foster.
With a couple of minutes to go, Gibbs clipped the ball into Chambers' arm and West Brom got a penalty.
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