Record Breaker: Gareth Barry Makes 633rd Premier League Appearance But Arsenal Beat West Brom At Emirates (Photos & Video)

Alan Duffy

25th, September 2017

2 Comments

Embed from Getty Images

Gareth Barry racked up a record 633rd Premier League appearance at the Emirates on Monday night, moving clear of Ryan Giggs on 632.

The game also saw ex-Gunner Kieran Gibbs return to his old home. However, Gibbs, Barry and co. would ultimately lose to Arsenal despite an impressive display from the visitors.

Embed from Getty Images

Indeed, early on, West Brom were unfortunate not to be given a penalty after Jay Rodriguez was clearly tripped in the box by Shkodran Mustafi.

Rodriguez still managed to get back to his feet and force Petr Cech into a fingertip save, with the ball coming back off the post.

Arsenal, with Aaron Ramsey on the right of a front three and Mohamed Elneny in central midfield, toiled despite having the lion’s share of possession.

However, on 20 minutes, the hosts took the lead, with Alexandre Lacazette nodding home after a Sanchex free-kick came back of the bar.

The Gunners too should have had a penalty when Alexis Sanchez had his shirt pulled in the box by Grzegorz Krychowiak. But once again, ref Bobby Madley was having none of it.

Embed from Getty Images

Just before the break, West Brom thought they had the goal their excellent display deserved, only for Nacho Monreal to acrobatically clear Rodriguez’s effort off the line.

After the break, the Gunners improved, with the Baggies resorting to persistent fouling. Indeed, Craig Dawson was lucky not to receive a second yellow after going through the back of Sanchez.

Just after the hour-mark, Madley did decide to give a penalty (correctly), after Aaron Ramsey was fouled in the box by Allan Nyom.

Embed from Getty Images

Lacazette duly converted the resulting spot-kick to net his second of the game and his third in three home league games for the north Londoners.

Arsenal should have added to their lead before the end, but the game would ultimately end in a deserved, if hard-fought win for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Embed from Getty Images

Arsenal go seventh, six points off the top, while Tony Pulis’s side go 12th. And well done to the sprightly Mr. Barry, who made his Premier League debut all the way back in May 1998 for Aston Villa!

Embed from Getty Images