Francis on Sunday's visit to West Bromwich Albion
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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
Full Time THAT'S IT! ARSENAL HAVE SECURED THIRD! Tottenham's win counts for little as goals from Benayoun, Santos and Koscielny mean Arsenal seal their place in the Champions League Group Stages. They did it the hard way, but that's job done for this season.
90
WHAT A TACKLE GIBBS! That could just secure Arsenal third place. Billy Jones is sent through on goal but is stopped in his tracks by a magnificent challenge from the young left back.
90
VAN PERSIE OVER: Song plays in the Dutchman on the left, who contrives to blaze over.
90
FIVE MINUTES: That's how much injury time stands between Arsenal and a guaranteed place in next season's Champions League. Come on you Gunners.
88
WELL CLAIMED WOJCIECH: It's nervy viewing as Gibbs gives away a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Odemwingie clips it in but Szczesny is there to pluck the ball out of the air.
86
HEROIC FROM KOSCIELNY: Odemwingie slides the ball across for Fortune, who unleashes towards goal. But the Frenchman puts his body on the line to block.
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal have gotten a bit on the back foot here and look a bit nervous. They are looking on the break and gettinga bit desperate
85
TENSE TIMES: Arsenal have five minutes left to keep hold of their slender advantage - but it's West Brom doing all the pushing. Sit tight boys.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
It's been a nervous season all the way through and we need to finish on a high
80
Substitution ON COMES RAMSEY: The Welshman replaces the tireless Santos. He's had a good game on the left this afternoon.
80
Substitution WEST BROM CHANGE: Paul Scharner replaces Graham Dorrans in midfield.
74
Substitution WEST BROM CHANGE: Peter Odemwingie on for Simon Cox
Top Comments:
@keiron85 on Twitter says:
If there's anytime to score @Persie_Official then it's right now, please please please, just one more time for us!!! #COYG
70
SZCZESNY SAVES! Andrews unleashes a fierce drive from just outside the area and Szczesny flings out his arms and beats the ball away
67
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Kieran Gibbs on for Gervinho
Top Comments:
@papayawsnuggs on Twitter says:
Let's do this for Pat Rice, #COYG.
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
The intensity of this game is going down, and that is good for Arsenal -- as long as Arsenal retain what they have at the moment
65
KEEPBALL: Arsenal moving the ball around confidently now, and trying to hold on to possession to ease the tension and eat up time
61
OFF THE LINE! Van Persie hooks a goalbound header from Olsson off the line. Nervy times
Top Comments:
@Weslisa2000 on Twitter says:
Game not over yet, we need one more!
60
OH IT'S TENSE: I said at the start of this commentary it could be unbearable tense and that is what it is proving to be. Can Arsenal hold their lead this time? Crazy game
58
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
Top Comments:
@blaze7189 on Twitter says:
Arsenal have been given a blessing. Do NOT mess this up!
57
E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to get in touch with Dan and Richard - they'll be fielding your comments throughout the game
55
ANOTHER COMEBACK! To be honest that goal was all about Fulop's sliced punch from a Van Persie corner, which dropped to Koscielny two yards out and he pokes home. Unbelievable
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
In all three Arsenal goals, Fulop has had an issue. Olsson got in his way and Fulop palmed it back.
54
GOAL! - Laurent Koscielny 2 : 3 GOOOAAALLLL!!! Koscielny pokes home from close range after another howler from Fulop
Top Comments:
@iPerky on Twitter says:
KOS!!! What a man! #COYG
52
SANTOS JUST WIDE: The Brazilian takes aim from just outside the area and arrows a shot just wide of the far post
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Santos is offering a lot from an offensive and a gambling perspective. And if the score stays the same, Arsenal are going to have to gamble
52
Substitution WEST BROM CHANGE: Keith Andrews on for Morrison
Top Comments:
@Liam_Gordon86 on Twitter says:
Come on #Arsenal. I really don't want to have to be sitting rooting for Bayern next week!
46
WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY: What a massive 45 minutes this is for Arsenal. Win and the planning for next season can start, anything else and it will be agonising next Saturday for the Champions League final
46
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Theo Walcott on for Tomas Rosicky at half time
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Walcott's introduction means Gervinho moves to the left-hand side and Benayoun will move to a more central role, just ahead of Song and Coquelin
@CammyAFC125 on Twitter says:
Need a huge second half lads. Dominating but so exposed at the back! More goals in this game for sure. #COYG
45
HALF TIME: West Brom 2-2 Arsenal
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It's not the worst position to be level at the half. Arsenal have been attacking and the chances have been there, but are vulnerable at the back. It is a massive 45 minutes coming up and it wil be heart-stopping if yoiu ask me
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It was a great start from Arsenal - a perfect start. But then Arsenal went into their shell and West Brom came forward. They had a very free-flowing attack, and Arsenal's defense didn't know how to handle it
45
GERVINHO JUST WIDE! The Ivorian breaks up the right on the counter and gets into the area but fires inches wide of the near post
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
The ball actually went off the board into the back of the next from the other side - it fooled the Arsenal fans for a moment.
43
PRESSURE, PRESSURE: Arsenal trying to find a chink in West Brom's armour again, but no way through at present
39
Yellow Card VAN PERSIE BOOKED: The skipper goes in late on McAuley and is booked
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It was a misguided challenge, but not a red card. I think it is a sign of frustration at the treatment he's been getting
36
GOOD RECOVERY: Jenkinson tries an interception but misses out and West Brom break, but the right back and makes the tackle
Top Comments:
@SteffiIrena on Twitter says:
C'mon Van Persie! He scores when he wants!
34
ARSENAL ON TOP NOW: The goal was coming for Arsenal and now they are gaining a bit more confidence. Most of the game is being played in the West Brom half, but the visitors are a major threat on the break
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
I think Theo Walcott will be a factor in this game late on
29
LOVELY GOAL: Santos latched onto a mistake in the West Brom backline, beat his marker and hit a firm shot that Fulop couldn't keep out. Game on, and what a game
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal are back in this game and they needed it. They needed someone with bravery and gumption to try something to get things going. It is an immense moment in Arsenal's season
@RM2SteveG on Twitter says:
Nice goal by Santos!!! Come on #Arsenal!
28
GOAL! - Andre Santos 2 : 2 GOOOOAAALLL! Santso draws us level with a fierce drive
25
WEST BROM UP FOR IT: The hosts are not on their holidays yet and they are zipping into tackles and making life hard for Arsenal. The home fans are loving it too
Top Comments:
@danalden96 on Twitter says:
I am actually shaking watching this.
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal are dominating posession but just not doing too much with it at the moment
22
ARSENAL PUSHING ON: As you'd expect the Gunners are seeing a lot of the ball, but haven't made anything of it yet
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
This game is far too open. It been too open from the start. Especially with the likes of Song and Couqelin in midfield you'd like Arsenal to have a better control of the game. I'm nervous.
19
BENAYOUN VOLLEYS OVER: Jenkinson chips in a cross from the right and it drops over the head of Van Persie and Benayoun meets it left footed, but it flies high and wide
Top Comments:
@KayodeAkintemi on Twitter says:
Script all torn to shreds. Let's recover quickly now, settle down boys, this is a must-win
16
ARSENAL IN TROUBLE: Dorrans did superbly with that strike but West Brom are winning the midfield battle so far and look such a threat in attack.
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal better lift themselves and lift themselves quickly. There are some slumping shoulders out there right now
@kts_gunner on Twitter says:
‏Please, Fulop, we need another charity.
15
GOAL! - Graham Dorrans 2 : 1 GOAL FOR WEST BROM: Dorrans for the hosts with a superb half volley past Szczesny
11
NIGHTMARE: Szczesny seemed to hesitate rather than come to clear that through ball and Long had all the time in the world to slot the ball past him. All square and game on
Top Comments:
@Matt_Terrill on Twitter says:
Oh come on! Long was 3 yards offside!
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Even though Arsenal had the lead, they hadn't yet settled. They were a little bit too anxious even thogh they got that goal
10
GOAL! - Shane Long 1 : 1 GOAL FOR WEST BROM: A ball behind Koscielny falls for Long who runs through and slides it past Szczesny
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsene Wenger is haranguing the fourth offical here. Shane long was clearly offside by about a yard for me
8
FRENZIED START: Both sides seem intent on attack this afternoon, and while Arsenal have first blood West Brom look lively. Tottenham are 1-0 up by the way
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Good pace to the game at the early stages. Arsenal have a good record against - we've won six of the last eight
5
CHANCE FOR WEST BROM! The hosts go straight up the other end and Fortune nearly squeezes a shot home at the near post but Szczesny saves smartly
Top Comments:
@aywardweston on Twitter says:
Yossi I love you! #COYG
4
WHAT A START! Benayoun preys on a defensive mix up as Fulop fails to claim the ball and Benayoun pushes it past him and scores
Top Comments:
@yesdeekay on Twitter says:
Good one, Yossi. *bad deja vu flashes* *controls premature celebration*
4
GOAL! - Yossi Benayoun 0 : 1 GOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! YOSSI BENAYOUN SCORES
1
BEACH BALL ALERT: There is a beach ball at the Arsenal end of the pitch. Let's hope for no repeat of what happened with Darren Bent against Liverpool
Top Comments:
@HideakiBenedikt on Twitter says:
It's been a season full of ups and downs. Let's end it with a huge win.
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
If body language tells you anything i like the cut of Arsenal's jib. They look spikey at the moment. There's a determination about Arsenal in these opening minutes
Kick Off AND WE'RE OFF! Arsenal will kick from right to left in this first half, shooting away from the Arsenal fans
HERE THEY COME: It's now or never for Arsenal as the players step out on to the Hawthorns pitch. Their Champions League fate rests in their own hands, can they hold their nerve and claim the three points needed for third place?
TEN MINUTES TO GO: I don't know about the Arsenal dressing room, but the nerves are kicking in here in the press box. The players have trooped off after the pre-match warm up and it is nearly time for a game that could have far reaching consequences for the Gunners
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal just have to cope with the nerves, cope with the pressure and press West Brom as much as possible.
PERFECT WEATHER: The Hawthorns is bathed in glorious sunshine and the pitch looks in good shape as well. Great conditions for football
ONLY ONE PAT RICE: The travelling Arsenal fans have been in fine voice so far this afternoon, and they have already serenaded the retiring Pat Rice in his final game as assistant manager
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag to use if you want to have your say on Twitter. As ever we'll publish a selection of your comments right here
Top Comments:
@iSergeant on Twitter says:
If you take a look at our squad itself we can understand that the boss is going for a attacking style of play.
E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Go to www.arsenal.com/studio to get in touch with Dan and Richard - they'll be fielding your comments throughout the game
Kick off is as 3pm today (UK time), with Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke as the commentary team, but our Matchday Show gets underway 30 minutes earlier. Tim Peters and former Gunner Adrian Clarke are in the studio, so make sure you tune in for an exclusive pre-match interview with Arsene Wenger, highlights of the Norwich match and all the latest team news ahead of today’s game
SUBS: Andrews, Daniels, Shorey, Dawson, Hurst, Odemwingie, Scharner
WEST BROM: Fulop, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Dorrans, Morrison, Mulumbu, Cox, Long, Fortune
SUBS: Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Ramsey, Chamakh
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Santos, Rosicky, Song, Coquelin, Benayoun, Gervinho, Van Persie
Top Comments:
@MiloKupresanin on Twitter says:
Coquelin in midfield will be perfect.
TEAM NEWS: Arsenal have made three changes, with Francis Coquelin, Andre Santos and Carl Jenkinson replacing Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and the injured Bacary Sagna
Just to add even more drama into the mix, today will be Roy Hodgson’s final match in charge of West Brom before taking the England job and the Baggies will be keen to send him off on a high
Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League in every season of Arsene Wenger’s reign, and as things stand they have a one-point advantage in the race for third over Tottenham. Newcastle lie two points further back
Win, and Arsenal seal third place and automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League. Draw or lose and then the results of both Tottenham and Newcastle become absolutely vital
Welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of what could be an almost unbearably tense final game of the season for the Gunners at West Bromwich Albion
W.B.A.
13 FULOP, Marton
28 JONES, Billy
23 MCAULEY, Gareth
03 OLSSON, Jonas
06 RIDGEWELL, Liam
17 DORRANS, Graham
33 SCHARNER, Paul (80)
07 MORRISON, James
08 ANDREWS, Keith (52)
21 MULUMBU, Youssuf
19 COX, Simon
24 ODEMWINGIE, Peter (74)
09 LONG, Shane
32 FORTUNE, Marc-Antoine
19 DANIELS, LUKE
03 SHOREY, NICKY
25 DAWSON, CRAIG
26 HURST, JAMES
33 SCHARNER, PAUL
08 ANDREWS, KEITH
24 ODEMWINGIE, PETER
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
25 JENKINSON, Carl
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
11 SANTOS, Andre
16 RAMSEY, Aaron (80)
07 ROSICKY, Tomas
14 WALCOTT, Theo (46)
25 SONG, Alex
22 COQUELIN, Francis
27 GERVINHO
28 GIBBS, Kieran (67)
30 BENAYOUN, Yossi
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
20 DJOUROU, JOHAN
28 GIBBS, KIERAN
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, ALEX
16 RAMSEY, AARON
14 WALCOTT, THEO
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
The Golden Boot winner should have buried that. Van Persie could have sealed the season for Arsenal