Tomas Rosicky was the unlikely hero as Arsenal kept their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive with Saturday’s narrow victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates.
The Czech international, who was starting in the league for only the second time this season opened the scoring with a powerful diving header after twenty minutes, before doubling the Gunners advantage with a drilled shot into the bottom corner five minutes after the break.
However, the hosts were reduced to ten men following Per Mertesacker’s dismissal for a challenge on Shane Long in the area, allowing James Morrison to pull a goal back for the Baggies and set up a nervy final twenty minutes.
However, Arsene Wenger’s men held on to, albeit for just twenty-four hours, climb into the top four.
Sunday’s results saw the club drop back down to fifth place, but their destiny is back in their own hands as they are just two points behind North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.
Remarkably, should Manchester City lose to champions elect Manchester United this evening, Arsenal could in fact go second if they win their next two games, with nobody above them playing until after the visits of Norwich City and Everton.
