The Fantasy points certainly flowed at the Emirates but the scoreline and recipients were far from expected.
Marouanne Chamakh earned nothing but a yellow card. Andrei Arshavin earned a consolation assist. Only Samir Nasri emerged with Fantasy credit, his two-goal haul rewarding those who had the foresight to see past the Fantasy Premier League’s ill-judged yellow flag. But for Arsenal, his efforts offered no reward.
Nobody gave West Brom a prayer at the and yet Roberto Di Matteo’s side battled to strangle the Arsenal threat, keeping the home side at arm’s reach at one end, whilst snapping eagerly at opportunities that came their way at the other. All opportunities that is apart from a first-half spot-kick. Chris Brunt’s timidly stroked penalty gave Manuel Almunia the opportunity to endear himself to the thankful home crowd. How fortunes changed from that point on.
Brunt made amends. He will leave the Emirates with two assists snugly tucked away in the pocket of his designer suit; Almunia meanwhile will leave the ground wondering if he still has a future at the Emirates. Another calamitous error from the Spaniard gifted West Brom a crucial second strike; Gonzalo Jara’s goal-bound shot somehow allowed to find its target when it should have been safely snaffled.
Minutes earlier Peter Odemwingie had boosted his burgeoning reputation with the opening goal, sliding to convert Jerome Thomas’ pass. Jara’s second sent shockwaves and called for emergency measures. Arsene Wenger switched formation, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere were thrown into the fight before Laurent Koscielny was sacrificed with Carlos Vela also joining the fray. The net result was further defensive frailty and a third for Roberto Di Matteo’s side. Thomas capping a fine day against his former club, firing home Brunt’s centre from close range.
Typically Arsenal and in particular, Samir Nasri, gave us a grandstand finish. The kitchen sink had been thrown but Nasri’s twinkling toes offered a more subtle route back into the game. The Frenchman’s two goals were fitting reward for another strong display, as he did his best to fill the gaping void left by Cesc Fabregas’ injury. The Bonus Points, normally reserved for the skipper may even go Nasri’s way.
Nasri’s haul will earn him Fantasy suitors although the return of Fabregas may of course see the French playmaker fall back into the supporting cast. Arsenal desperately need their leading man back for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
As for West Brom – they demonstrated today that the brand of football we saw on their last dalliance with the Premier League is still there, but under Di Matteo they have some resilience to match the invention. The much-hyped Graham Dorrans played a bit part from the bench, leaving it to Brunt, Thomas and Odemwingie to carry the side to a superb three points. Games against Bolton, Fulham and Blackpool arrive in the next four Gameweeks; a trip to Old Trafford is sandwiched in between. Two things look certain from that – Fantasy Managers will be making extra assessments of Di Matteo’s key players; Alex Ferguson will be doing his homework on them too.
The Arsenal title challenge may have almost lost a wheel today, but a Baggies bandwagon is certainly rolling nicely.