EPL: West Brom 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remonstrates with referee Mike Dean after his side conceded a late penalty
Jay Rodriguez struck a controversial late penalty as West Brom stole a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the last Premier League game of 2017.
Just minutes after Alexis Sanchez's free-kick had deflected off James McClean and into his own goal for what looked to be Arsenal's winner (83), Calum Chambers was adjudged to have handled in the area, allowing Rodriguez to step up and equalise (89).
Alex Iwobi had struck wide in the first half and Ben Foster denied Alexandre Lacazette in the second, before the late drama at The Hawthorns.
The result means Arsenal are fifth, three points off the top four going into 2018, while West Brom are 19th, above bottom side Swansea on goal difference.
During an open start, Lacazette saw an effort deflect just wide of goal, before Iwobi should have done better having curled high and wide in space in the box.
Iwobi's effort from the right of the box then forced a good save out of West Brom goalkeeper Foster, who saw the ball late through a crowd of players, but both defences ultimately cancelled each other out in the first half.
Arsenal pressed after the break as Foster then got down superbly to block Lacazette's left-footed effort from inside the box after a neat one-two with Iwobi on the edge.
Petr Cech was finally forced into action as Rodriguez found space 20 yards from goal, but his shot was beaten away well by the Arsenal goalkeeper.
Arsenal looked to have grabbed a winner seven minutes from time as Sanchez won a free-kick on the edge of the box. He stepped up to take it low, and the ball looked to be heading wide before deflecting off McClean and past the stranded Foster.
All 10 outfield Arsenal players celebrated with Sanchez, after much debate midweek about divided celebrations in the win at Crystal Palace.
But just minutes later at the other end, Mike Dean controversially awarded West Brom a penalty after former Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs had touched the ball onto Chambers' arm. Chambers had his arms close to his chest in a natural position, and despite huge protests from the Arsenal players, the decision stood before Rodriguez slotted home low.
The protests continued after the final whistle, with Cech shown a yellow card, as Arsene Wenger's record 812th Premier League game in charge ended on a sour note.
Alex Iwobi had struck wide in the first half and Ben Foster denied Alexandre Lacazette in the second, before the late drama at The Hawthorns.
The result means Arsenal are fifth, three points off the top four going into 2018, while West Brom are 19th, above bottom side Swansea on goal difference.
During an open start, Lacazette saw an effort deflect just wide of goal, before Iwobi should have done better having curled high and wide in space in the box.
Iwobi's effort from the right of the box then forced a good save out of West Brom goalkeeper Foster, who saw the ball late through a crowd of players, but both defences ultimately cancelled each other out in the first half.
Arsenal pressed after the break as Foster then got down superbly to block Lacazette's left-footed effort from inside the box after a neat one-two with Iwobi on the edge.
Petr Cech was finally forced into action as Rodriguez found space 20 yards from goal, but his shot was beaten away well by the Arsenal goalkeeper.
Arsenal looked to have grabbed a winner seven minutes from time as Sanchez won a free-kick on the edge of the box. He stepped up to take it low, and the ball looked to be heading wide before deflecting off McClean and past the stranded Foster.
All 10 outfield Arsenal players celebrated with Sanchez, after much debate midweek about divided celebrations in the win at Crystal Palace.
But just minutes later at the other end, Mike Dean controversially awarded West Brom a penalty after former Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs had touched the ball onto Chambers' arm. Chambers had his arms close to his chest in a natural position, and despite huge protests from the Arsenal players, the decision stood before Rodriguez slotted home low.
The protests continued after the final whistle, with Cech shown a yellow card, as Arsene Wenger's record 812th Premier League game in charge ended on a sour note.