Iwobi In Action As West Brom Hold Arsenal On Wenger’s Special Day

By Adeboye Amosu: Nigerian international Alex Iwobi was on from start as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 by West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

James McClean diverted Alexis Sanchez’s shot into his own for Arsenal’s strike, while Jay Rodriguez got West Brom a late equaliser.

Iwobi took the place of Mesut Ozil from the Gunners last fixture against Crystal Palace which they won 3-2.

The Super Eagles star was however replaced by Danny Welbeck 16 minutes from time.

The fixture marked Arsene Wenger 811th Premier League game in charge of the Gunners, making him the manager with the most games ever in the competition, surpassing Sir Alex Ferguson’s 810 games.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side in the seventh minute.

Matt Philips exchanged passes with Hal Robson- Kanu with Rodriguez directing his header towards Petr Cech who make a comfortable save.

A minute later, Jake Livermore’s effort was cleared after Cech spilled Kieran Gibbs’ cross.

Iwobi came close to handing Arsenal the lead on the half hour mark but his shot was clawed away for a corner by Ben Forster.

Arsenal suffered a blow seven minutes from time when Saed Kolasinac was replaced by Ainsley Maitland-Niles due to injury.

Lacazette who scored both goals for Arsenal in their 2-0 win in the reverse fixture also had a goal bound shot saved by Forster on the hour mark.

Arsenal finally had the breakthrough as Sanchez sent his free kick right through the wall via McClean and into the net seven minutes from time.

Rodriguez equalised for West Brom from the penalty spot a minute before time.