London: Alexandre Lacazette stole the spotlight from record breaker Gareth Barry as the Arsenal striker’s double clinched a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Monday.
Albion midfielder Barry broke Ryan Giggs’ Premier League appearance record by playing in his 633rd game, but it was Lacazette who ended the night as the centre of attention at the Emirates Stadium.
The France forward opened the scoring with a first-half header and stroked home a penalty after the interval to give him four Arsenal goals since his club record £52 million ($70 million, 59 million euros) move from Lyon. Lacazette is the first Arsenal player to score in his opening three home league appearances since Brian Marwood in 1988.
The Gunners are up to seventh in the Premier League after extending their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions since their humiliating loss at Liverpool.
“He gets stronger in every game. Good first touch and movement,” Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said of Lacazette.
“West Brom disturbed our build up in the first half but in the second half we controlled the game and did not give anything away.”
With Sanchez starting for just the second time this season in the Premier League, it was the first time the Chile forward had been on the pitch at the same time as Lacazette following the striker’s pre-season arrival.
It took only seconds for the pair to combine to good effect as Lacazette’s pass put Sanchez into a dangerous position just outside the Albion penalty area.
Craig Dawson responded by fouling Sanchez, who took the free-kick himself and fired just wide of Ben Foster’s goal.
Barry has never been much of a creative force, even in his heyday, but the 36-year-old almost ushered his side into a shock lead when his sumptuous pass sent Jay Rodriguez into the Arsenal area. Rodriguez cleverly cut back on Shkodran Mustafi and looked certain to win a penalty when he was up-ended by the Arsenal defender.
But Rodriguez clambered back to his feet and, with referee Bobby Madley not punishing the foul, the Albion forward unloaded a shot that Petr Cech pushed against the far post before Arsenal scrambled clear.
Dominance
Albion manager Tony Pulis was furious no penalty was given and his frustration only mounted as Arsenal took the lead in the 20th minute. — AFP
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