Alexandre Lacazette scored twice for Arsenal to beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 in the English Premier League on Monday and prolong the north London team's September fightback. Arsenal lost two of its opening three matches but seven out of a possible nine points have been collected this month on top of victories in the Europa League and League Cup.
Lacazette, playing for the first time with Alexis Sanchez since joining in July for a club-record 60 million euros (then $68 million), combined with the Chile forward for the opener.
Sanchez's free kick in the 20th minute was tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Ben Foster but the ball came back out and Lacazette pounced to tap in.
The lead was preserved before halftime when Jay Rodriguez's header beat goalkeeper Petr Cech but Nacho Monreal produced a goal-line clearance.
Lacazette was on target again from the penalty spot in the 67th after Allan Nyom fouled Aaron Ramsey, giving the France forward his fourth goal in an Arsenal shirt.
It was a disappointing way for West Brom midfielder Gareth Barry to celebrate making a record 633rd Premier League appearance.
The 36-year-old Barry, who has also played for Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Everton, passed the mark set by former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs. Barry's next target is breaking Giggs' top-flight record of 672 appearances, encompassing matches before the Premier League started in 1992.
Gareth Barry made a record 633rd English Premier League appearance but had little to celebrate. The 36-year-old midfielder captained West Bromwich Albion in a 2-0 loss at Arsenal on Monday as he passed the mark set by former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs.
Barry's next target is breaking Giggs' top-flight record of 672 appearances, encompassing matches before the Premier League started in 1992.
Barry made his debut for Aston Villa at the age of 17, appearing as a substitute in a 3-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday in 1998.
Barry played 365 league games for Villa, 132 for Manchester City, and 131 for Everton. He has also played 53 times for England.
(With AP Inputs).
