Arsenal 2 West Brom 0: Referee Bobby Madley had a nightmare not to award West Brom an early penalty and Gareth Barry is in the record books
West Brom were denied one of the most blatant penalties you'll see this season when Jay Rodriguez was hacked down after eight minutes
ARSENAL made hard work of their 2-0 victory over West Brom.
Striker Alexandre Lacazette bagged both of their goals but the scoreline could have been so different if West Brom had lady luck on their side.
The Baggies will count themselves unfortunate to be behind after 45 minutes thanks to a referee decision and a goal-line clearance from Nacho Monreal.
But Arsene Wenger will sleep soundly tonight with his side up to seventh in the league.
Here's five things we learnt from the clash at the Emirates.
Bobby Madley's mad decision
Tony Pulis was absolutely seething at the decision not to award his side a penalty after eight minutes, and rightly so.
It was one of the most blatant penalties you'll see this season.
Jay Rodriguez sprinted past Shkodran Mustafi into the box and cut the ball back away from the sliding German international.
Mustafi caught the forward who fell to the ground but Rodriguez was too honest.
He jumped straight back up and cannoned the post before Jake Livermore slotted the rebound wide.
Madley should have pulled the play back and awarded the penalty.
And to rub salt in the wound, the visitors were behind 12 minutes later before Madley awarded Arsenal a penalty in the second half.
Gareth Barry - a undervalued Premier League legend
The midfielder may not have won as many trophies as the likes of Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard but he boasts a record that can't be matched and won't be broken for years to come.
His appearance at Arsenal was his 633rd in the Premier League - more than any other player.
At the age of 36, fans can easily forget how long Barry has played at the top level since making his debut in 1998.
Barry isn't a journeyman, he's been a crucial figure in the heart of midfield at Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton and now the Baggies.
A player that is never in the headlines for the wrong reasons, he is the ultimate professional.
Alexandre Lacazette shows true poacher instincts
Arsenal spent £52million to land the Frenchman this summer in the hope of finding a regular goalscorer.
He scored 28 goals in 28 league starts for Lyon last campaign picking up a reputation as being a 'fox-in-the-box.'
His goal at the Emirates was a typical poachers finish. Whilst West Brom defenders watched Alexis Sanchez's free-kick bounce back into play off the crossbar, Lacazette was quickest to react to head into an empty net.
Arsenal fans can expect much more of the same this season.
It was a scrappy goal but Arsene Wenger won't care how they go in.
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Arsenal fans staying away in a half-empty Emirates
Arsenal supporters must have made their way to the match disguised as empty seats because there were thousands of them in the stadium.
Earlier this month the Gunners recorded their lowest ever attendance since they moved to their home in the cup clash against Doncaster.
But it seems even a Premier League match is struggling to attract the crowds with many still frustrated with the lack of progress at the club.
A Monday night, televised match will have an impact but a club of Arsenal's stature should be able to almost fill out their ground.
Tony Pulis 100 not out... but still searching for happy hunting ground at Arsenal
Tony Pulis was managing West Brom for the 100th time in the Premier League - a milestone not to be scoffed at considering the ruthless nature in the top flight.
But the Welshman's record away at Arsenal is disastrous.
He hasn't won in all 11 of his matches at the Emirates whilst managing three different clubs in Stoke, Crystal Palace and West Brom.
He will consider himself unlucky not to grab a point on Monday with his side denied a blatant penalty early on.
But with Pulis at the helm, the Baggies will be safe in the Premier League for yet another season.
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