Arsenal ensured West Bromwich Albion relegation in the Premier League this season after the Gunners ended the match with a 3-1 win at the Emirates stadium.
Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over the WBA will automatically make West Bromwich relegated this season. WBA points are stuck at 26 and are unlikely to catch up with Burnley (36 points) with three games remaining at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are in ninth place with five points from Liverpool in the sixth ladder, the last slot to the Europa League, and four points from Tottenham Hotspur in seventh place who are awarded tickets to UEFA’s new Europa Conference League.
Arsenal, who were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Europa League by Villarreal in midweek, broke the deadlock just before half an hour of play with Emile Smith Rowe’s clever volley to meet Bukayo Saka’s cross.
Arsenal were already 2-0 up in the first half through goals from Emile Smith-Rowe in the 29th minute and Nicolas Pepe in the 35th minute. Smith-Rowe’s goal was born through the collaboration of Arsenal’s short passes.
These short passes led to a Bukayo Saka cross which was met by a Smith-Rowe volley. WBA goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was unable to stem the ball rushing into the goal.
Eight minutes later, it was Nicolas Pepe’s turn to thrill Johnstone’s goal. Pepe fired an accurate shot that darted into the West Bromwich goal.
Behind 0-2, West Browmich, who need maximum points to escape the relegation zone, are trying to find a reply. The WBA’s effort paid off in the 67th minute when Matheus Pereira broke into Bernd Leno’s goal.
Despite working hard to continue to press Arsenal’s defense, WBA could not get an additional goal. Instead, it was Willian who increased Arsenal’s lead to 3-1 at the end of the match.
Arsenal won and the WBA was confirmed for relegation this season. This is the fifth time in the history of the Baggies to have received a bitter verdict to step down from the English Premier League.
For West Brom manager Sam Allardyce, this is the first time he has been relegated from the Premier League. His team will accompany the already relegated caretaker, Sheffield United, to travel to the second division, Championship Division, next season.
