Olivier Giroud scored a late winner for Arsenal on his first Premier League start of the season, earning a 1-0 victory for his side against West Bromwich Albion.
The closest either side came to a goal prior to the breakthrough arrived 52 minutes in when Alexis Sanchez hit the crossbar, but the Gunners persevered and were eventually rewarded.
Giroud outjumped Gareth McAuley in the closing stages of normal time and headed over the reach of an inspired Ben Foster, who had earlier produced a string of saves to deny the hosts.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners head into this Boxing Day fixture sitting third in the table and nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea, who look good value to prolong their impressive winning run over the festive and New Year period. Three points a must for the hosts today, then - not an easy task following successive defeats.
Wets Brom have themselves lost two of their last three outings, but they will still be in a buoyant mood for their trip to North London as they have still had a decent couple of months and find themselves in the lofty heights of eighth place. There is even the odd whisper of European football being contested at The Hawthorns next month, too, with Morgan Schneiderlin only likely to bring added quality when completing what appears to be a certain switch from Manchester United.
TEAM NEWS!
ARSENAL XI: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs; Coquelin, Xhaka; Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi; Giroud
WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom; Yacob, Fletcher; Brunt, Chadli, Phillips; Rondon
Starting with a look at the home side, then, and I make it just the two changes from last weekend's defeat to Manchester City. The big news is that Olivier Giroud comes into the side up top, taking the place of Theo Walcott and therefore shoving Alexis Sanchez out onto the right-hand side. Kieran Gibbs also returns to the starting lineup, replacing Hector Monreal from the XI that fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium eight days ago.
Aaron Ramsey is back in contention this afternoon following his latest injury setback, but he has to settle for a place on the bench with Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin again given the nod in the engine room. Further forward Mesut Ozil makes his 100th Premier League appearance for the Gunners, starting in between the aforementioned Sanchez and the pacey Alex Iwobi.
Petr Cech has not been having a good times of things over the past couple of months, conceding in each of his last eight Premier League outings - his worst run since making the move to English football with Chelsea more than a decade ago. Hardly a shock to see him retain his place between the sticks, though, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck both miss out on selection - the latter now back in training but still probably a few weeks away from a first team run-out.
Switching attention to the visitors now and manager Tony Pulis has named what is very much his strongest group of players. Nacer Chadli is now back up to speed and takes his place in attacking midfield, alongside an in-form Matty Phillips and an equally prolific Solomon Rondon. Scotland international Phillips in particular has stood out this term, playing a part in seven goals in the same number of outings - three of his own and four assists.
James Morrison was doubtful for today's match after missing full training with the flu, and he is only deemed well enough for a place among the subs this afternoon. Jonny Evans is back in the heart of defence after missing the last two matches with a calf injury, meanwhile - a major boost for Albion, who have Gareth McAuley alongside him. Keeping a clean sheet often proved the key for the Baggies to claim a result at a ground such as this, but they also now know how to find the net.
Evans returning in place of Jonas Olsson is the only change made by manager Pulis, who will be targeting a point from this one despite those two defeats from the last three outings. This West Brom side certainly has a nice balance to it these days, which will only become stronger should Schneiderlin indeed make the move from Man United in a reported £15m deal next month. Phillips, Chadli and Rondon add the attacking quality, while Darren Fletcher provides the experienced head in midfield.
BENCH WATCH!
ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Monreal, Holding, Elneny, Ramsey, Reine-Adelaide, Lucas Perez
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBS: Myhill, Olsson, Robson-Kanu, Morrison, Gardner, McClean, Galloway
Still no place for Lucas Perez in the starting lineup, with Giroud instead being handed his first Premier League start of the season as Wenger shifts things around slightly. Mohamed Elneny and Aaron Ramsey provide the midfield support, the latter returning from his latest injury setback to take up a spot on the bench, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is nowhere to be seen due to injury. Olsson drops to the bench for Albion, meanwhile, in their only alteration from last time out.
A couple of landmark milestones to bring you up to speed with after looking at the team news - Mesut Ozil being handed his 100th Premier League appearance and Darren Fletcher starting a top-flight game for the 250th time. All-in-all Wenger makes two changes to his Arsenal side, while West Brom boss Tony Pulis makes just the one alteration from the defeat to Manchester United.
A big afternoon ahead for Arsenal, then, who start the Boxing Day fixtures sitting fourth in the table and fast losing hope of catching the machine that is Chelsea. It had all been going well for the Gunners, finding themselves top of the pile just 15 days ago before losing two games in a week, while the Blues picked up three wins over the same time period. One defeat in their opening 24 games in all competitions has now become two in two; a streak of form that simply must end today.
One of those two defeats prior to last week came on the opening weekend against Liverpool, so it is fair to say that the Gunners had momentum on their side. The other was in defeat to Southampton last month in the EFL Cup, ending their hopes in the competition placed at the bottom of most teams' wishlists, while in the Champions League they incredibly finish top of the pile - capitalising on Paris Saint-Germain's shock home draw to Ludogorets Razgrad on the final matchday - only to be rewarded with a double-header against Bayern Munich.
Three Premier League wins on the spin put Arsenal top of the table earlier this month, but football can change in the blink of an eye and all of a sudden the pressure is back on manager Arsene Wenger. The criticism may seem a tad harsh on the Frenchman, with his team underperforming in two halves of football across one week, but context is needed. So often the Gunners climb to the summit and fall away, or the opposite when making up ground when it's too late, meaning it takes little to now get supporters aggrieved.
The frailties were clear to see in successive 2-1 defeat at the hands of Everton and Manchester City, as one-goal leads were thrown away in both and zero points from six collected. It has still been an impressive year for Arsenal in terms of results, with a strong end to the 2015-16 campaign and a solid enough start to 2016-17 only being soured by this recent downturn in fortunes. The Gunners just cannot seem to sustain it for a whole season, though, with many again calling for Wenger's head.
Arsenal keeper Petr Cech said after the defeat to Everton that Man City would be the "perfect opponents" for his side at the time, coming so soon after a disappointing result and thus giving them a chance to show their character. A repeat performance followed - decent start, poor second half - and now I'm sure Wenger and his charges will be happy to have a couple of home games against so-called lesser opponents - West Brom and Crystal Palace - before a trip to Bournemouth early in the New Year.
Nine points from nine really has to be the target for Arsenal, who know that any slip-up between now and the opening week of January will likely see them fall further and further adrift as Chelsea simply do not look likely to drop points. The Blues' trip to Tottenham Hotspur is their best bet of pouncing, but they are not alone in that regard as Liverpool and Manchester City are also well positioned in the top four.
Wenger has already said that he is unlikely to spend in January - usually the cause for concern and criticism but you cannot really blame him too much on this occasion. A bad week it has been, certainly, but prior to that wins were being racked up on a fairly consistent basis. The priority for the Gunners is to tie down Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil for the long term, although recent reports suggest that merely keeping one or the other is the best that they can wish for at this stage.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! West Bromwich Albion have beaten Arsenal on just three occasions in their 20 Premier League encounters; the Gunners losing one of the last 11 across that spell. That sole victory for the Baggies did come at The Hawthorns last term, however, when recovering from a goal down to win 2-1. It could well be a case of Déjà vu this afternoon, as the hosts all of a sudden have a habit of letting leads slip away.
Arsenal had gone 14 games without defeat in all competitions prior to successive defeats across a disastrous week. They have not lost three on the bounce since January 2012 and are also unbeaten in their last seven league games at the Emirates Stadium, although Middlesbrough did leave here with a share of the spoils not so long ago.
West Brom head into this match sitting eighth in the table, meanwhile, one point above Watford who have been held to a 1-1 draw by London rivals Crystal Palace in the day's early kickoff. The Baggies went four games unbeaten through November and early December, scoring 10 goals during that run to belie what we have come to expect under Pulis, only seeing their impressive run come to a halt when facing off against Chelsea and Manchester United in recent weeks.
Questions were asked of Pulis earlier this season, but the Welshman has not only brought stability but he now has supporters dreaming of European football. With some backing in January and shrewd purchases, Albion will be aiming to maintain their current position of eighth place while perhaps looking to go one better and claim seventh. Finishing any higher will be an extremely difficult task, though, with a backdoor route - one of those above them winning the FA Cup, say - the best bet of a place in the Europa League.
We are not even halfway through the season yet, though, so Pulis will not need to remind his players to keep their feet firmly on the ground. A good run of form, plus backing from the club's Far Eastern moneymen has only added more pressure, so anything less than a top-half finish will all of a sudden be a major disappointment. Three points may well be out of the question today at the home of Arsenal, although they did pick up a rare win in this fixture just last season.
This match comes in the midst of a difficult run for Albion, who have also recently faced Chelsea and Man United in the Premier League. They did comfortably beat Swansea City during that run, however, and they have a couple of nice fixtures to follow this one. Sitting 10 points off a European place and seven off sixth - with that gap only showing signs of growing - finishing in their current position is likely to be their best hope between now and next May.
Albion have not actually won three games in the same month since November 2012, which they can achieve with victory here today. One clean sheet in their last 14 games again belies what we have come to know about Tony Pulis's sides, with goals at the other end - 10 in all during their unbeaten streak in November and early December - showing that they can now also provide entertainment. Phillips in particular will be a threat today, playing a part in seven goals in his last seven outings.
DID YOU KNOW? These two teams also met on Boxing Day in 2012, when West Brom saw a one-goal lead slip away to lose 2-1 (anyone else see a theme developing here?!). The Gunners have never failed to score in 20 Premier League meetings against today's opponents, so if history is anything to go by then the visitors will need to breach Cech's goal at some point if they are to leave North London with a share of the spoils.
With kickoff at the Emirates Stadium now just five minutes or so away, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Arsene Wenger: "We are not in danger of underestimating them. [Tony Pulis] has done a very good job. They have improved a lot. They have a good mixture between being very efficient and a technical style. I believe they kept their strengths and improved their desire to dictate the game on the technical aspect."
Tony Pulis: "It's always a really tough test going down to Arsenal. You have to be at your best and they have to have an off day. We need things to go our way. Sometimes they do. The big picture is we're trying to get players into this club who will progress us over a period of time, not just in this moment."
There used to be a real rivalry between Wenger and Pulis, largely due to the tactics employed during the Welshman's time with Stoke City, but they now have a mutual respect for one another. Wenger is anticipating a tough afternoon for his side, which could also prove the case when a Crystal Palace side now managed by Sam Allardyce visit this wonderful ground later this week. Pulis, meanwhile, has one eye on the winter transfer window which could make or break his side's campaign.
Both teams are now out on the field of play, with kickoff in North London just a couple of minutes away. A big chance for Olivier Giroud to stake a claim for a regular starting spot, featuring from the off for the first time this season - one of two changes made by Wenger this afternoon. West Brom will look to contain their opponents as best they can, but the Gunners have scored in all 20 previous fixtures between the two teams.
KICKOFF! We are up and running at the Emirates Stadium, where both teams are sporting their traditional home colours. Arsenal on top in the opening stages, looking to knock the ball in behind the West Bromwich Albion backline.
Quite a slow start to the match so far, with Arsenal not showing a great deal of attacking intent. Sanchez appears to be out on the left-hand side, incidentally, while Iwobi is over on the opposite flank and Giroud through the middle.
First attacking move for the visitors ends with the ball being cut out inside the box. Arsenal's hopes of a quick break soon ended, however, with Albion doing well to quickly regroup and form their solid defensive shape.
Arsenal have had very few ideas when on the ball so far, but that changed a few moments ago when Coquelin and Iwobi linked up in the box for the latter to send a decent delivery across goal. Nobody at the end of it, with Xhaka rifling over from 25 yards out.
Ozil has a shot blocked inside the box, before Koscielny is shoved off the ball. The Frenchman failed to get back to hit feet at first, and is now limping around a little - one to keep an eye on over the next few minutes.
First bit of real defensive work for Arsenal's backline, as Phillips carries the ball forward and is wiped out by Gabriel Paulista. Referee Neil Swarbrick gives him a little talking to rather than reaching into his pocked fairly early on.
Good work from Gibbs down the left to help instigate another Arsenal attack, which this time ends with Giroud blasting well over the bar from 25 yards out. A couple of shots from range for the Gunners now, neither of which troubled Foster.
Arsenal have moved from first gear into second over the past few moments, putting some good moves together but not really getting into any promising positions. Sanchez is the latest to be clattered into, hobbling around gingerly but seemingly being OK to continue.
Giroud of all people sends the ball in from the left, putting too much on it for teammate Sanchez. The Chilean then took range from 20 yards out - the latest Arsenal attempt from distance - but it was rather wild and ended well wide of Foster's goal.
Superb play from Bellerin, who drifted infield from the right and was so nearly through on goal following some slick interplay. Both teams put together attacks prior to that, neither of which ended with a clean shot on target.
Giroud was waiting for the ball a few yards from goal, but Yacob done just about enough to help the ball out for a corner. Arsenal sustaining some pressure for the first time this afternoon now, but Xhaka's shot ends a couple of yards wide.
Arsenal have had 80% of the ball, while Foster was just jeered for taking far too long over a goal-kick, so this match is going as planned thus far. Pulis will perhaps want his side to show a little more in attack, though - Rondon cutting an isolated figure up top.
West Brom looking to quickly counter, but instead they take their time and win themselves a corner at the end of the move - their first of the match. It was a dangerous ball in, which Cech did just about enough to help out of the box when rushing from his line.
One good corner-kick delivery soon became too, but Arsenal again dealt with it well enough. Still awaiting the first shot on target of this tame contest, which will hopefully liven up a little more as things transpire.
Another patient passage of play from the Gunners, which once more ends in frustration without Foster being tested. Home fans furious with the Albion keeper, who is taking as long as possible with each goal-kick to eat up some minutes.
Very impressive work from Arsenal down the right, culminating in Bellerin getting in behind but seeing his cutback blocked aside for a corner by Evans. A goal changes the mood completely, of course, but for now things remain a little tense.
SAVE! We have our first attempt on target of the afternoon, and it has perhaps not come for the side expected. A ball was floated into the box from the left for Rondon to meet, which he flicked right into the hands of Cech.
SAVE! Just like London busses and all that, we wait all afternoon for one shot and two following in quick succession! Moments after Cech positioned himself well to deny Rondon, Sanchez cut in from the left and blasted on goal for Foster to push aside.
The match has levelled back out again now after that exciting spell a few moments ago. Giroud did get on the end of a pass over the top and looked to be in on goal, but the offside flag was correctly raised before the could shoot.
Arsenal have been the better side in the opening 39 minutes of this match, but they have just the one Alexis Sanchez shot on goal to show for it - the same number as Albion, who came close through Rondon's glanced header a minute beforehand.
Giroud wants a penalty when being sent crashing to the ground inside the box, but replays show that there was very little in it. Iwobi's shot was then blocked aside, as the Gunners attempt to move out of second gear and into third.
Sanchez with a delightful cross from nowhere out on the left, which Xhaka could not quite get on the end of. Just a couple of minutes of the half remaining now, with Albion looking to see things out for the remainder of this flat half.
YELLOW CARD! Olivier Giroud is shown the first caution of the contest for a challenge on returning defender Jonny Evans. Arsenal continuing to peg their opponents back, with half time now just a minute or so away.
HALF TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Referee Neil Swarbrick blows for half time, bringing to a close a half of football that never truly got going. The Gunners came closest to making a breakthrough when Alexis Sanchez forced Ben Foster into a save, while Solomon Rondon was denied in a simple manner by Petr Cech up the other end in Albion's only attempt of the half.
The first half failed to truly take off, with the Gunners being restricted to a string of shots from range in the opening quarter of the match - Alexis Sanchez and Granit Xhaka each taking in turn to blast high and wide. Arsenal were remaining patient and occasionally putting together some impressive moves down either flank, but getting in behind the Albion backline was proving to be a different matter.
The contest finally showed signs of livening up 33 minutes in when, just moments after Solomon Rondon's glanced header forced a first save of the game out of Petr Cech, Alexis Sanchez was up the other end and sending a shot on target for Ben Foster to help aside. That would ultimately prove to be the closest either side came in a real flat first half in North London, as the Baggies attempt to keep a first clean sheet against their opponents in 20 top-flight encounters.
A chance to look at both sides' benches now as we hit the midway point in proceedings at the Emirates Stadium. If the first half is anything to go by then choosing wisely from the back-up options could well decide which way this contest swings.
ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Monreal, Holding, Elneny, Ramsey, Reine-Adelaide, Lucas Perez
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBS: Myhill, Olsson, Robson-Kanu, Morrison, Gardner, McClean, Galloway
RESTART! We are back under way at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal are looking to break down West Bromwich Albion's stubborn backline. The visitors have not had a great deal to do so far, in truth, despite the Gunners' dominance in terms of possession.
Giroud and Yacob clattered into each other seconds after kickoff, but that the closest we have come to any sort of edge to this match. Frustration already creeping in for the hosts? Albion certainly taking their time whenever the ball goes out of play.
It is worth pointing out that Chelsea and Manchester United, two of the teams Arsenal are in competition with, both led at the interval. The Blues have since gone two ahead, putting even more importance on these next 40 minutes or so for the Gunners.
OFF THE POST! Brilliant goalkeeping from Foster, who first kept out an Iwobi drive and then quickly got back to his feet to thwart Sanchez from just three yards out. From the corner Sanchez worked some space and sent a shot back off the bar.
Arsenal finally showing signs that they can indeed move into top gear, then, with three shots in succession - one of which was only kept out by the frame of the goal. West Brom did well to counter following that, but the Gunners remained strong at the back.
The volume levels crank up a notch or two around the Emirates Stadium following what has been the hosts' best spell of the match by quite some distance. Constant pressure now, but a free kick is conceded and Albion have a chance to regroup a little.
CLOSE! Iwobi seeing plenty of the ball down the right, with his latest cross rather scuffed into the box. Alexis Sanchez was still at the end of it, though, delaying the shot but eventually firing in a rocket which Foster got a fingertip to.
SAVE! Foster at last starting to earn his money, then, with three or four saves in this second half. The best of the lot has just arrived, though, as he kept out Giroud's shot down low with his feet at full stretch. Superb goalkeeping once again!
Pulis may well be thinking about making a change as we enter the final third of the contest, with his side very much second best at the moment. Unlike in the first half, Arsenal are now turning possession into chances; chances into shots on target.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUB! Pulis does indeed make a change, bringing on James McClean for his 50th Premier League appearance for the Baggies. Former Tottenham Hotspur man Nacer Chadli is the player to make way.
YELLOW CARD! A stoppage in play now following a clash of knees between Yacob and Gibbs. Both players appear to be in a bit of pain, with Monreal - replaced by Gibbs this afternoon - being sent to warm-up by boss Wenger. The Arsenal full-back was also booked for being a tad late.
Both Gibbs and Yacob are fine to continue for now, as Wenger continues to hold out making that first alteration. Great play from Phillips to keep the ball in on the right, before beating his man and blasting a cross in for Koscielny to block.
Wenger's Plan B has already been used this afternoon, as Giroud - super sub Giroud - starting this match. Lucas Perez is another option, or Wenger could shift Sanchez further forward and bring on another wide midfielder for the final 20 minutes.
Koscielny again asked to get across and defend, as Albion all of a sudden look to turn defence into attack. Been a far more balanced game over the past 10 minutes, following a dominant start to the half from home side Arsenal.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for Yacob to win it; a player whose only previous goal for the club came against Arsenal. A corner somehow found its way to his feet at the back post, but he lifted it over the bar with plenty of the goal to aim for. Perez and Monreal are now on for Iwobi and the injured Gibbs.
Fans' frustrations starting to boil over now, because Jonny Evans stayed down following a collision. The Baggies need to take the sting out of things as, despite having a good chance of their own a few moments ago, Arsenal look by far the livelier.
Aaron Ramsey is now on for Francis Coquelin, as Wenger goes for a more attacking approach - perhaps one that would have been adopted from the off had the Welshman been fully fit. Sanchez sends a fine ball across goal but Giroud somehow fails to divert it home.
Real panic at the back for Albion, as the ball bounces around inside the box before Foster finally pounces on it. Some slick play from the Gunners but their chances have dried up all of a sudden, bar Giroud's near-miss.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUB! Xhaka goes long for the third time in the match, failing to ask any questions of Foster. Pulis goes with a smart change, bringing on Robson-Kanu - a player who can get in behind but also shift into midfield - for Rondon.
Dawson the latest player to feel the wrath of Arsenal fans when staying down following a collision with Sanchez. Arsenal desperate to find some momentum in the final throes of this contest but they are not being allowed to do so at the moment.
Half a chance for Bellerin, who can only head over the bar when picked out inside the area. Foster now booked for eating up further time with his delay tactics - something he will no doubt take if he can hold on for just a few more minutes.
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (OLIVIER GIROUD)
Breakthrough for Arsenal in the final minutes of normal time - a crucial goal to possibly kickstart their title race. Giroud outjumped McAuley inside the box and lifted his header over the reach of Foster into the back of the net.
SAVE! He may have been beaten a couple of minutes ago, but Foster produces another fine save to this time deny Ramsey from close range. It is now Arsenal's turn to take their time over things, knowing that they have salvaged three points right at the death.
All Arsenal still, as Ramsey and Giroud come close to adding a second after some good play from Ozil. No sign of a late Albion leveller, with the Gunners doing very well to see this one through. One minute of added time to come.
FULL TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Referee Neil Swarbrick blows for full time, bringing an end to a contest that Arsenal left late to win. Olivier Giroud proved to be the hero in the end, finding a way past an inspired Ben Foster to condemn West Bromwich Albion to a third defeat in four outings. How big a goal could that prove to be come next May?
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Emirates Stadium. A full on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while updates from the evening Boxing Day fixture between Hull City and Manchester City are also now under way. Enjoy!
