Rosicky proof Arsenal don’t lack bottle for top-four fight

West Brom 1 Arsenal 2

Written off as mid-table fodder earlier in the campaign, with manager Arsene Wenger the subject of fierce criticism from supporters, it felt like the post-mortem had already been conducted.

But once again Wenger’s players have got their act together and after this spirited victory over West Brom, they are in prime position to pip their rivals and qualify for a Champions League place.

Of course, Arsenal fans desperately crave a trophy and a sustained challenge to Manchester’s Premier League hegemony.

Their greatest contribution to the title race this season has, after all, been their decision to sell Robin van Persie to United rather than City. But in a football landscape that is significantly different from their last trophy success, the 2005 FA Cup, Wenger at least deserves some credit given that Arsenal dine at European football’s top table on an annual basis.

The Hawthorns has not been an easy hunting ground for the top-four contenders — Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton were all vanquished here, while Tottenham and Manchester City both won by the odd goal.

And reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes after the dismissal of Per Mertesacker, Arsenal were required to summon the kind of grit and determination with which even Wenger acknowledged they are not usually synonymous.

Crucially, they also possessed that extra quality in the final third in the form of Tomas Rosicky, who scored two goals that were more significant than aesthetically pleasing and he revealed a quiet assurance about their top-four hopes.

“When you get a good run of results the confidence returns. Sometimes we cannot be too concerned about what is happening outside the club,” Rosicky said.

“People having their opinion is absolutely fine. Sometimes it’s just about the team itself. Every day you have to be prepared 100% to come to training and fight for your club. Sometimes it’s not easy when you see and hear what is going on around.”

Rosicky had opened the scoring slightly against the run of play midway through the first half with a goal which owed much to another player who has come into form in recent weeks, Gervinho.

Mikel Arteta used his vision to pick out Gervinho on the left edge of the home side’s penalty area and the Ivory Coast forward twisted and turned Gareth McAuley before he picked out Rosicky, who directed a powerful header in from close range.

Arsenal maintained their intensity after the interval and increased their advantage five minutes in when Rosicky claimed his second.

Aaron Ramsey’s clever ball found Rosicky who saw an initial well-struck shot parried by Ben Foster, but was quickest to react and buried a low shot under the body of the West Brom goalkeeper.

“It was a special game for Tomas because he scored two,” Wenger said. “But the most important thing is that he scores them when you need them. And we needed them against West Brom.

“He now goes more into the box — before he used to play too far away from the box. I put him in a position where he always played wide, but I have put him more central now, so he is more dangerous now.”

The home side were, however, given a foothold in the game in the 71st minute when Mertesacker was shown a straight red card by Howard Webb after he chopped down Shane Long inside the penalty area.

James Morrison struck the resulting spot-kick to Lukasz Fabianski’s right and although the Arsenal goalkeeper guessed correctly the shot had too much power.

With the extra man advantage Steve Clarke’s side dominated the remainder of the half in pursuit of the equaliser but Arsenal’s defence stood firm despite some nervous moments.