A controversial penalty from Mikel Arteta has given Arsenal a 1-0 lead going into half time of their match against West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.
© PA Photos
The hosts came close after just four minutes when West Brom failed to clear their lines from a corner, allowing Gervinho a chance to shoot, but his volley flashed across the face of the goal.
The Gunners came close again in the 11th minute when Jack Wilshere teed up Santi Cazorla, but the Spaniard's 20-yard effort flew just wide.
The Baggies enjoyed their first sight of goal after 22 minutes when good work from Youssouf Mulumbu resulted in Chris Brunt lashing an effort at goal, only to see it go inches wide.
Arsenal took the lead just two minutes later after Cazorla was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box. Arteta stepped up and made no mistake with his spot kick, firing it down the middle to make it 1-0.
The Gunners should have doubled their lead with seven minutes left of the half when Gervinho found Wilshere inside the box, but the England international put his shot wide from just six yards out.
Barney Corkhill
