Alexis Sanchez truck twice as Arsenal defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0 in the Premier League on Thursday to move third and bolster their chances of Champions League football next season.
With a number of empty seats at the Emirates following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace, Arsene Wenger’s men delivered a more clinical display as Sanchez took his tally to five goals in four games, and 16 for the season.
The in-form Chile forward gathered Ramsey’s square pass, brilliantly spun away from Sandro and drilled a low shot into the bottom-left corner for the opener before making it 2-0 with a free-kick past a flat-footed Ben Foster seven minutes before half-time.
It was a timely victory for under-fire Wenger, who not only celebrated their 500th Premier League victory, but moved above Manchester City and into third place.
“We did the job in a serious way. We played well technically and the only regret is we should have scored more goals,” Wenger said.
“It looks like Sanchez is back sharper, more confident. In the first half he was exceptional.
“Of course we have regrets. We had two draws when we should have won the game several times and when you do that, you pay for it.”
West Brom remain 10 points above the drop zone but will need another victory to feel completely safe after three successive losses, but manager Tony Pulis couldn’t be calmer.
“We were off it tonight,” said Pulis. “The players have given me everything this year.
“We have played well at all of the big teams this year, but not tonight. Sometimes you have to take defeat on the chin.”
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