Arsenal win and send WBA back to the Championship

After being eliminated from the Europa League and having pretty much minimal chances for qualifying for European football next season, Arsenal needed a victory. West Bromwich Albion needed it also to fight out of relegation.

Unfortunately, for the Baggies they could not produce a miracle as they did against Chelsea. Arsenal kept all three points at the Emirates and thus sent WBA back to the Championship - final score 3-1.

Arsenal managed to record consecutive wins for the first time in 15 Premier League games. Huge three points for the Gunners. And those had to be fought for.

The match started with WBA creating a couple of promising chances. Biggest one happening in the 13th minute as Matheus Pereira tricked his way to the edge of the box and took a shot at goal. Bernd Leno scrambled to cover the effort and it went just wide of the left post.

As the visitors slowly gained confidence and believed they could take the lead, Arsenal scored twice in five minutes.

In the 30th minute, a great play constructed by their incredible youngsters. Emile Smith-Rowe found himself some space inside the box to get on the end of a pass from Bukayo Saka, then sent the ball low into the middle of the net.

Saka has made 19 assists in all competitions for Arsenal, the most of any player for the club since making his debut in November 2018.

In the 35th minute - a sensational goal from the Ivorian Nicolas Pepe. A fantastic finish from just outside the box. He wasted no time in getting away a bullet of a shot that flew past Johnstone into the top left corner.

Before the half time whistle, Saka ran onto the ball inside the box and smashed it towards the bottom left corner. It was a great effort but an even better save from Sam Johnstone, who tipped the ball around the post.

Second half started with a chance for Pepe and Smith-Rowe to double their tally, each. Both shots were thwarted by Johnstone as he made two confidence boosting saves.

In the 67th minute, after their first shot on goal - WBA scored. Pereira weaved his way past opponents and unleashed a precise effort from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner. Leno had no chance of reaching it.

Pereira is the first West Bromwich Albion player to reach 10 goals in a Premier League campaign since Sadio Berahino managed 14 goals back in 2014-15.

West Brom could have equalized in the 74th minute however Darnell Furlong blew a huge opportunity as his bullet header went just wide of the right post.

Arsenal defended well, prevented the guests from scoring and even scored their third. Willian, the forgotten Brazilian, found the net by taking a beautiful free kick shot in the 90th minute to shatter the dreams of the Baggies.

With 52 points and at 9th place, Gunners still hope they can reach the 7th. They will meet their city rivals Chelsea on the 12th and Crystal Palace on the 19th of May, before they close off the season at the Emirates on the 23rd against Brighton.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 35

Friday

Leicester - Newcastle 2-4 (0-2)

/Albrighton 80, Iheanacho 87 - Willock 22, Dummett 34, Wilson 64, 73/

Saturday

Leeds - Tottenham 3-1 (2-1)

/Dallas 13, Bamford 42, Rodrigo 84 - Son 25/

Sheffield United - Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-1)

/Benteke 2, Eze 88/

Manchester City - Chelsea 1-2 (1-0)

/Sterling 44 - Ziyech 63, Alonso 90+3/

Liverpool - Southampton 2-0 (1-0)

/Mane 31, Thiago 90/

Sunday

Wolves - Brighton 2-1 (0-1)

/Traore 76', Gibbs-White 90' - Dunk 13'/

Aston Villa - Manchester United 1-3 (1-0)

/Traore 24' - Fernandes 52' pen, Greenwood 56', Cavani 88'/

West Ham - Everton 0-1 (0-1)

/Calvert-Lewin 24'/

Arsenal - West Brom 3-1 (2-0)

/Smith-Rowe 29', Pepe 35', Willian 90' - Pereira 67'/

Monday

22.00: Fulham - Burnley