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Player Ratings: West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Arsenal

Sports Mole rates and slates the West Brom and Arsenal players for their displays in their Premier League game at The Hawthorns.

Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion in Saturday's early kickoff.

The winning goal came on the hour mark when Danny Welbeck powerfully headed home a cross from Santi Cazorla after good work down the wing by the Spaniard.

Here, Sports Mole marks each player out of 10 for their display at The Hawthorns.



Danny Welbeck of Arsenal and Andre Wisdom of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

WEST BROM

Goal

Ben Foster: Had a couple of nervy moments in the first half and might feel that he should have kept out Welbeck's header as he got a good hand to it. (5/10)

Defence

Andre Wisdom: Solid for the most part but got outpaced and outmuscled by Cazorla for the goal. (5/10)

Craig Dawson: Did well against the physical presence of Giroud. (6/10)

Joleon Lescott: No mistakes from the centre-back, who also caused some problems in the opposition's penalty box. (6/10)

Sebastien Pocognoli: Got forward when he could but was completely outjumped by Welbeck for the goal. Came off with 15 left. (6/10)

Midfield

Youssouf Mulumbu: Came off in the 65th minute after doing very little. Careless with the ball in the first half, almost gifting Arsenal an opener. (4/10)

Craig Gardner Barely noticeable in the opening 45 but improved after the break and had a late shot fly just wide. (6/10)

Graham Dorrans: In and out of the game. Almost set up an equaliser when Berahino headed against the bar. (5/10)

Stephane Sessegnon: Had his moments, but couldn't quite find the killer ball when going forward. The West Brom fans weren't happy when he came off in the 76th minute. (6/10)

Chris Brunt: Afforded plenty of space down the left but couldn't make the most of it. (5/10)

Attack

Saido Berahino: Bright, especially after half time. Unlucky to see the flag go up when he was clearly onside and set to go clear on goal. Also hit the bar with a late header. (7/10)

Substitutes

Victor Anichebe: Brought on shortly after Arsenal's goal to offer some physicality in attack. Didn't have much luck. (6/10)

Cristian Gamboa: Brought on for the injured Pocognoli at full-back. Booked for tugging at Welbeck's shorts. (5/10)

Georgios Samaras: The crowd weren't happy when he was brought on for Sessegnon and he did little to impress him. (5/10)



Danny Welbeck of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Olivier Giroud as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

ARSENAL

Goal

Damian Martinez: Easy enough on his first Premier League start for Arsenal. Only had one save to make. (6/10)

Defence

Calum Chambers: Got forward when he could and also made plenty of clearances at the back. (7/10)

Per Mertesacker: Dominant in the air and almost got on the scoresheet in the second half with a shot that was dragged wide. (7/10)

Laurent Koscielny: Back alongside Mertesacker in the league for the first time in a while. The pair were rock-solid for the most part. (7/10)

Nacho Monreal: Unfortunately had to come off midway through the first half with an injury. (5/10)

Midfield

Mathieu Flamini: Worked hard and did what he does best by breaking up play in the middle. (6/10)

Aaron Ramsey: Still doesn't look quite himself. Had four shots, but none of them on target. Still a strong box-to-box display. (6/10)

Santi Cazorla: The man of the match. Arsenal's brightest spark in the first half and did ever so well for the goal by first bursting past Wisdom before shrugging him off the ball and picking out Welbeck with a lovely cross. (8/10)

Attack

Alexis Sanchez: Had his quietest Arsenal game for a while and wasn't the focal point of attack. (6/10)

Olivier Giroud: Made his first Premier League start since August and looked a little rusty. Put himself about and decent hold-up play, but didn't do too much when facing the goal. Taken off with 12 minutes left. (6/10)

Danny Welbeck: Superb header for the goal. Started out wide with Giroud back and looked a little lost at times. Came good in the second half. (7/10)

Substitutes

Kieran Gibbs: Replaced the injured Monreal in the first half and, like the rest of the Arsenal defence, put in a stern display. (6/10)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Replaced Giroud but had to do more defending than attacking as the Gunners held on for the win. (6/10)


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Danny Welbeck of Arsenal celebrates with team mate Olivier Giroud as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on November 29, 2014
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