It was a stark welcome back for Albion, who found themselves a goal behind after just four minutes at the Emirates.  Arsenal Debutant Nasri received an inch perfect ball from Denilson 6 yards out to strike home for his first Gunners goal.

Albion, credited for being masters of passing in the Championship last season, were themselves dealt a masterclass in how to pass a ball by Arsenal in the opening 20 minutes. 

Albion's first realistic chance during this period fell to Chris Brunt, who curled the ball just over the bar after the Baggies were awarded a free kick for a foul on Kim.  But moments later Arsenal were on the break again, Adebayor threatening with pace before crossing for Theo Walcott whose header was cleared well enough by Paul Robinson for Jonathan Greening to clear the danger.

In the 11th minute Albion allowed Gunners skipper William Gallas far to much time and space on the ball, and the powerful centre-half unleashed a 30 yard cracker which flew just inches wide of the post, although Carson looked to have it covered.  Six minutes later Albion fans were holding their breath again as a sloppy clearance from Meite fell into the path of Sagna, who took his shot quickly.  Fortunately the effort rebound off Meite and out of play, although the ball could have gone anywhere with Carson stranded.

On 25 minutes the Baggies were nearly punished for some more hap-hazard defending when Bendtner headed wide from 6 yards after West Brom's defence failed to deal with Nasri's corner.

In the 27th minute Albion won their first corner of the game, and three minutes later they created their first real chance of the game from open play when a long kick from Carson was well flicked on to Kim by Miller.  The Korean paced into the box before unleashing his shot which fell just wide of the far post.

After a frightful opening 20 minutes Albion had somehow managed to get a grip in the game, and as the half drew to a close were enjoying what was arguably their best spell of the game to that point.  Brunt chipped a ball into the box on 36 minutes for Miller, who looked set to pull the trigger just as Djourou made a challenge and somehow got the ball back to Arsenal keeper Almunia.

Good play from Albion however didn't prevent Arsenal chances, and in the 42nd minute Carson did well to hold the ball on his second attempt after Nasri had tried a long range effort.  As half time approached Meite did well to block a low drive from Adebayor, ensuring the half time deficit remained at just 1-0.

Half Time: Arsenal 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Albion discovered a bit more confidence after the break, and could have pulled a goal back just five minutes after the restart when Kim played a clever through ball to Miller.  Pacing down on goal the strong ex-Manchester City striker forced Almunia into a low save, his first real save of the game.  The rebound however fell nicely to Paul Robinson, who held his head in his hands as he watched Djourou clear off the line.

Adebayor might have done better in the 52nd minute as his shot went horribly wide of the target after Nasri had played him in down the left.  Adebayor thought he had doubled the Gunners lead in the 68th minute after he netted the ball, but the linesman correctly adjudged the striker to be offside.

The 20 minutes left mark signaled the start of the substitutions.  Tony Mowbray called time on debutant Marek Cech for Sherjill MacDonald, and moments later Bendtner made way for Robin Van Persie.  Just a minute later Wenger introduced Kolo Toure in place of the young Theo Walcott, and two minutes after this Mowbray swapped Miller for Bednar.

Van Persie had a chance with a header in the 82nd minute after Adebayor provided the cross, but Scott Carson was more than equal to the chance.  But he made better of his next chance on goal just five minutes later, defied only by inches as he slipped the Albion defence to try from 15 yard.

Bednar, who had looked lively since his introduction to the game kept Albion hopes of an equaliser alive, but as the clock ran down it became clear that one first half goal from the Arsenal new boy would be enough to secure all three points for Arsenal.

Not the baptism of fire some fans feared, but a defeat nonetheless for Albion on their return to top flight football.

Full Time: Arsenal 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Nasri (4)

Attendance: 60,071

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