West Brom 1 Arsenal 2
A Thierry Henry winner five minutes from time stretched Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premiership to four points today and denied West Brom a chance to escape from the relegation zone.
The French striker made amends for a glaring miss only five minutes earlier with an exquisite finish as Arsenal exacted the maximum benefit from an error by Adam Chambers.
With the match apparently headed for a 1-1 draw, the young West Brom fullback clattered a clearance straight into Patrick Vieira.
As the ball rebounded towards Russell Hoult's goal, Henry was the fist to react.
With his first touch, he went round the West Brom keeper, and with his second he slotted home the winner.
It was a cruel blow for the home side, who put in a spirited performance but now slip to second from bottom after Bolton's win over Newcastle earlier in the day.
Things had looked so much brighter after three minutes when Daniele Dichio outjumped the Arsenal defence to send a powerful header past the helpless David Seaman.
That effort was cancelled out by Francis Jeffers three minutes into the second half. The England under-21 star tucked the ball home from close range after getting in behind the West Brom back four to meet Henry's precisely-placed cross from the right with a deft finish.
But even then, West Brom still looked capable of snatching a precious win.
Arsenal had a major let-off a quarter of an hour from the end when Jason Roberts muscled his way past his marker, Martin Keown, and beat David Seaman with a cross-shot that bounced, agonisingly, back off the post.
Minutes later Henry should have won the game for the Gunners after he was picked out by Robert Pires' pass across the box.
Instead of shooting first time, Henry opted to tuck inside his marker and onto his less favoured left foot. With the goal at his mercy he then contrived to slice his shot high and wide from ten yards.
Thankfully for the Frenchman however, Chambers ensured he got a chance to redeem himself and he grabbed it in style.
(AFP)