West Brom 2 - Arsenal 1: Cazorla misses penalty as the Gunners blow the chance to go top

James Morrison brought West brom back on level terms with Arsenal

SANTI CAZORLA missed a late penalty as Arsenal blew the chance to go top of the Premier League with a 2-1 defeat at West Brom.

 

The Gunners took the lead through Olivier Giroud when he headed in Mesut Ozil's free-kick from the right, but James Morrison volleyed past Petr Cech to level before Mikel Arteta diverted James McClean's cross into his own net.

Cazorla could have secured a point from the penalty spot, but he slipped at the crucial moment as Albion earned just their third win in 19 Premier League games against the Gunners and their first in their last 10 meetings.

And to make the afternoon worse Arsene Wenger lost both Francis Coquelin and Arteta to injury.

 

After a slow start the Gunners slowly took control of the match and unlocked the hosts from the simplest of set-piece goals in the 28th minute.

Ozil swung in a delicious delivery after Sanchez was fouled and an unmarked Giroud headed in from six yards.

But instead of going on to dominate, Albion hit back with two goals in five minutes.

 

Santi Cazorla missed the chance to rescue a point for Arsenal

 

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for Arsenal

They levelled in the 35th minute when Morrison looped a 10-yard volley over Petr Cech after Chris Brunt's excellent free-kick.

Five minutes later they were ahead when Salomon Rondon and McClean combined and Arteta was left helpless when he turned in McClean's cross from close range.

In the second-half Arsenal began to dominate and had a number of great chances to level proceedings.

 

James McClean and Salomon Rondon after Mikel Arteta scores an own goal

The best fell to Joel Campbell after Cazorla floated a lovely ball to the far post and McClean slipped, leaving the striker with a clear sight from six yards, but the Costa Rica international fluffed his lines and failed to hit the target.

It was all Arsenal but Albion almost sealed the points in the 71st minute when Jonas Olsson's header struck the underside of the crossbar.

Arsenal's pressure looked to have paid off with seven minutes left when they won a penalty after Brunt hauled down Sanchez.

But Cazorla slipped as he shot and looped the spot-kick over the bar.