Lineups... Arsenal Seaman Lauren, Keown, Campbell, Cole Wiltord, Vieira, Silva, Edu, Kanu, Henry Subs: Taylor, Parlour, Luzhny, Toure, Aliadiere West Bromwich Albion Hoult Clement, Moore, Gilchrist, Sigurdsson, Balis McInnes, Johnson, Gregan, Dobie Roberts Subs: Wallwork, Dichio, Taylor, Marshall, Jensen Referee: Paul Durkin (Dorset)
Of note... Ray Parlour makes way for Gilberto Silva, and Dennis Bergkamp is spelled by Nwankwo Kanu, allowing Sylvain Wiltord to drop back into midfield. Andy Johnson does get the start, and Saturday goalscorer Lee Marshall will begin the match on the pine for the Baggies. Kickoff in approximately 20 minutes. *** The 60 second rule will make this considerably harder this season, I think.
Additionally, Charlton and Tottenham are already underway, and Manchester has a hill to climb in the Champions League qualifying as well.
Ashley Cole from Kanu, 1-0 to the Arsenal. Left-footed control, good bounce off the defender, left-footed finish.
5th min. Dobie fouls Keown in the Arsenal end. *** Cole hit a bullet just inside the left post from about 20 yards. Highbury is in full voice.
West Brom are very scrappy, always closing down and putting pressure on the ball. Kanu, despite the assist to Cole, showing some rust with a poor pass.
12th minute Vieira's pass for Wiltord is cut out and the Baggies generate their first shot on target, as David Seaman comfortably saves off Scott Dobies' drive.
13th minute Larus Sigurdsson fouls Henry twice. The second free kick is Edu's drive, which does not trouble Hoult.
17th minute. Vieira gets hammered, no call. Gilbertos hammers someone, foul against Arsenal. Paul Durkin still sucks.
17th minute Vieira taken down heavily by Sean Gregan, then again by MacInnes. Paul Durkin has not elected to have a word with either of them. Correction. McInnes is booked.