Kanu starts for injured Bergkamp

Kanu was given his first start of the season as Arsenal coped with the absence of Dennis Bergkamp at home to West Bromwich Albion.

Bergkamp will be out for two weeks with a calf injury but with Kanu alongside Thierry Henry up front, Sylvain Wiltord was expected to remain in midfield.

Gilberto Silva also made his first start for his new club, while Brazilian compatriot Edu was retained in midfield, meaning Ray Parlour dropped down to the bench.

Arsenal were otherwise unchanged from the line-up which started Saturday’s 2-2 draw at West Ham, a result which prevented them setting a new league record of 15 consecutive wins.

The Gunners are nevertheless still unbeaten in their last 23 Premiership games and West Brom therefore faced yet another uphill task on their return to the top-flight after defeats against Manchester United and Leeds.

The visitors were at least able to pick centre-back Darren Moore, who had recovered from a groin injury sustained in last Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Leeds.

That meant an unchanged line-up, with Scott Dobie, who had replaced Danny Dichio following the opening day 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, keeping his place.