Wenger refuses to blame Cazorla for defeat

It got better for the home side just before the halftime break, as Arteta deflected McClean’s cross into the back of his own net to hand West Brom the lead.

The Baggies had just four shots in total, compared to 11 for Arsenal, though eight of the visitors’ efforts – including Santi Cazorla’s penalty – missed the target.

A home win for Albion, only their second of the season, appeared unlikely, especially with Arsenal in such rampant mood in front of goal.

The England forward, who suffered the injury in the Capital One Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday, is also expected to miss the key Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb next Tuesday.

“It is a big blow today for us as if the game reflects the result then okay but when you drop points when you have come out of a game and think you have not done the maximum to produce you can not be happy”. The own goal gave West Brom a 2-1 lead going into the half, and they had somehow taken control of the game.

Coquelin and Arteta join fellow midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere on Arsenal’s absentee list, now stretched to seven players.

Goals from Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and an own goal from Eliaquim Mangala sunk City, who threatened to come back into the game through a Sergio Aguero goal but were in the end unable to do so.

Five minutes later they were ahead when Salomon Rondon and James McClean combined and Arteta was left helpless when he turned in McClean’s cross from close range.

And Arsene Wenger’s disappointment will be compounded by injuries to his two primary defensive midfielders in Coquelin and Arteta leaving him with only Mathieu Flamini as an established first choice option in the position.

Here’s a video of the missed penalty that could have brought Arsenal level.

‘We are competitors, ‘ said the Arsenal manager. I don’t know about the influence of what happened (in Paris) on the game. “I would not explain our defeat by that”. “But when you’re on the pitch, you’re on the pitch”.