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Your support makes all the difference.A day fraught with potential pitfalls for Arsenal ended on a positive note as they overcame a spirited challenge by lowly West Bromwich Albion, Thierry Henry's late winner enabling Arsène Wenger's side to double their advantage at the Premiership summit to four points.
Chelsea might have usurped them even before a ball had been kicked at The Hawthorns, yet failed to secure the requisite victory over Southampton. Arsenal then conceded the sloppiest of goals to Daniele Dichio with three minutes played, but they fought back to equalise soon after half-time through Francis Jeffers and completed a double over Albion thanks to Henry's opportunism with five minutes remaining.
News of Manchester United's defeat capped a most rewarding afternoon for Arsenal, and Wenger left the Midlands to prepare for Sunday's home match against Liverpool still purring about his players' "mental strength". This result, after some "inconsistent" away displays, showed they were "back on track". Maybe so, though it should be pointed out that they received assistance on both goals from Albion, who also hit the woodwork through Jason Roberts before Henry's decisive thrust.
Albion's followers remain determined to enjoy the ride this season, however bumpy it becomes, and they generated a cup-tie atmosphere to which the team initially responded in kind. Only 20 seconds elapsed before Martin Keown misdirected a back-header, which David Seaman could not prevent going for a corner. "England's No 2", crowed the Brummie Road End in support of the their own Russell Hoult, and one sensed one of those reversals in form for which Boxing Day is renowned.
The impression gained substance when Albion took the lead following what was already their third corner kick. Even with two towering England centre-backs to contest the ball swung in by Jason Koumas, the transfer-listed Dichio rose unchallenged to head his third goal in as many home fixtures.
Gary Megson, the Albion manager, felt his team had "lost momentum" after scoring; when they needed to be taking the game to Arsenal, they fell back on to defence. While he was justified in adding that they gave the ball away too cheaply, it was a somewhat harsh self-assessment. Better sides than Albion have struggled to contain Patrick Vieira in the mood he was in yesterday, galloping from box to box, setting up attacks and winning countless tackles along the way.
It took time for Vieira's colleagues to follow his cue, and the only save worth the name Hoult made before half-time came from a mis-hit centre by Sylvain Wiltord which threatened to sneak in beneath the crossbar.
That the second half would be a different story was swiftly evident. Inside 60 seconds, Giovanni van Bronckhorst managed Arsenal's first shot on target, athletically pushed behind by Hoult. Two minutes later, after Gilberto Silva had changed the focus of attack with a fine cross-field pass, Henry's low cross was diverted by Larus Sigurdsson to Jeffers, who swept in only his third League goal for the Gunners.
The introduction of Robert Pires was a declaration of Arsenal's intent. Moments after the lively Roberts had held off Keown, only to see his angled shot come out off the inside of the far post, Pires set up Henry for what seemed a certain goal. The ensuing shot ended up high in the stand.
Within two minutes, Adam Chambers' clearance was charged down by Vieira, the ball falling to Henry. This time the Frenchman was coolness personified, pushing the ball wide of Hoult before sliding in his 16th goal of the season. "It was a big three points, but difficult as well," Wenger said.
"Perhaps some Arsenal teams wouldn't have won this game, but we did. We were prepared to dig deep, and when you do show that mental toughness, anything is possible."
Albion are not short of such qualities. However, after a run of 14 matches with just a single win, and with only 16 goals in 20 matches, Megson admitted they were finding that "sometimes even our best isn't good enough".
Arsenal, he suggested, were more impressive when taking the first meeting 5-2 in August, but this success showed they were capable of winning even when they fell below their customary high standards. Which is, of course, one of the defining traits of champions.
West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2): Hoult 6; Sigurdsson 6, Moore 6, Gregan 6; A Chambers 4 (Dobie, 85), Koumas 7, Wallwork 5 (J Chambers, 84), Johnson 7,Clement 5; Dichio 5, Roberts 7. Substitutes not used: Murphy (gk), Balis, Hughes.
Arsenal (4-4-2): Seaman 6; Lauren 6, Campbell 7, Keown 6, Cole 7; Wiltord 7, Vieira 8, Gilberto Silva 6, Van Bronckhorst 5 (Pires 6, 69); Jeffers 6 (Kanu 5, 69), Henry 6. Substitutes not used: Upson, Touré, Holloway (gk).
Referee: G Poll (Tring) 8.
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