Van Persie again makes difference as Arsenal defeat West Brom

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie was again the difference in their victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The Holland international was recalled to the starting line-up against West Brom after beginning the midweek draw with Marseille on the bench and proved the catalyst in Arsenal's 400th Premier League win.

While unable to match his hat-trick heroics at Chelsea last weekend, Van Persie proved the difference as he netted the first and then turned provider for both Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta.

Baggies boss Roy Hodgson rejected the notion that West Brom did not work hard enough.

Asked whether he agreed that his side looked beaten before they started, he retorted: "I am afraid I have to disagree with you there.

"I would even go as far as to say that of all the things that could be levelled at us, that might be the least relevant or least correct comment.

"The one thing I think we did do today was put in one hell of a shift and I thought we had to because we were up against a very good Arsenal team in form, who were rampant.

"You could accuse of lacking a bit of quality at times, you could accuse us of, in the first half, playing the ball forward too early. You could accuse us of those things and I might agree with you, but one thing I certainly will not agree with you is that the players did not put in a shift.

"That is an accusation bordering on the scandalous."