Wenger Downplays the Effects of Apparent Contract Uncertainty

“We kept our calm and we know you can always find a solution at the beginning or end of games against teams like West Brom”.

Nine points now separate the fourth-place Gunners from in-form Chelsea, but nothing is certain in the Premier League anymore and there is every chance Arsenal could catch them.

But, with Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both out injured, Giroud was handed his maiden league start of the season and, after a frustrating afternoon, the Frenchman headed home an 87th minute goal to secure a 1-0 win. The fans will obviously need to get behind us as well, as they always have done, especially at those times where we play a lot of games. We needed today to be patient, keep our composure in our game and not make a defensive mistake – that’s what we did.

Defender Laurent Koscielny heaped praise on Giroud and advised players vying to break into Wenger’s starting line-up to adopt his compatriot’s attitude.

Kieran Gibbs is among the many Arsenal players whose future is uncertain and will be even more so after this season has ended. But manager Arsene Wenger seemingly must assure him he will spend more time on the pitch in future.

“If you look at the players who were not playing and not in the team today, and then you look at Chelsea’s, I think Arsenal have definitely got the stronger squad”, Pulis said.

Unfortunately for Giroud, the statistics back Wenger’s policy of leaving him on the bench.

But the France worldwide finally got the better of West Brom’s star performer to ensure the deficit to leaders Chelsea remains at nine points. Moving six points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, at least for the time being, it could well be a vital moment in Arsenal’s season as they continue to charge towards launching a genuine challenge for the Premier League crown.

Four minutes into the second period, Foster produced his best work of the match – getting down to Iwobi’s low volley and thwarting Sanchez on the follow-up.

Gibbs joined the Arsenal academy from Wimbledon in 2004 and stayed at the club this summer despite interest from other clubs.