Sunday, 4 May 2014
Arsenal 1-0 Westbrom: Giroud's Lone Goal Hands Gunners Victory
Olivier Giroud's header in the first half of the match handed Arsenal a deserved win as they once again win the race for the fourth place on the log and celebrate their guaranteed Champions League spot for next season.
The France international ghosted in front of Craig Dawson to nod in Santi Cazorla's delivery from a corner and send the gunners seven points clear of Everton who lost to Manchester City 2-3 yesterday.
Arsenal who were without Oxlade Chamberlain, and Kieron Gibbs welcome back long time absentee. Abou Diaby after about sixteen months out dominated the game from start to finish as Westbrom rarely trouble Arsenal diffence.
Arsenal went in front just before the quarter-hour mark thanks to Giroud's firm header.
Cazorla had seen his shot deflected over the bar by Youssouf Mulumbu, and the Spaniard curled the resulting corner in from the left and Giroud got the better of Craig Dawson to plant a well-directed header into the net from six yards.
Graham Dorrans stung the palms of Wojciech Szczesny with a rasping drive in the 32nd minute, while Saido Berahino blasted a shot narrowly over a minute later.
The hosts' response was immediate, Cazorla pulled a smart save out of Ben Foster after running onto Podolski's cut-back.
Mathieu Flamini, back in the side in place of the rested Aaron Ramsey, hit a tame effort straight at Foster from the edge of the box as Arsenal ended the first period in the ascendancy.
In a quiet second half, Dawson headed over the bar from a corner in the 72nd minute before dragging a speculative effort well wide of goal from 30 yards shortly afterwards.
Mesut Ozil's right footed effort went narrowly wide of goal after getting on the end of Giroud's flick as Arsenal looked to put the game to bed.
Podolski's mis-hit shot then rebounded back off the post and into the arms of a grateful Foster, as the game wind down.
The Gunners next face Norwich City before the FA Cup final against Hull City, as they aim to end a run of nine years without a trophy and qualify for their 17th successive Champions League appearance.
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