Tony Pulis sees history repeat itself for West Brom at Arsenal
Monday 26 December 2016 20:39, UK
West Brom boss Tony Pulis said his team's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal was a case of "deja vu" in reference to their similar defeat at Chelsea.
Olivier Giroud netted the winner four minutes from time with a cleverly-orchestrated looping header in a 1-0 win over the dogged Baggies, who frustrated the hosts for the majority of the game.
Ben Foster starred for West Brom, making a string of saves early in the second half while Alexis Sanchez also struck the post for the hosts.
Pulis said the defeat mirrored his side's 1-0 loss at Chelsea earlier this month where Diego Costa netted the winner 14 minutes from time.
The former Stoke manager accepted he could have "no complaints" with the loss, nor with Giroud for getting the better of Gareth McAuley.
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"That's a little bit deja vu with the Chelsea game," said Pulis.
"We've worked very hard within a system. I'm desperately disappointed for supporters who have travelled but when you've got top teams and top players that's what happens.
"I don't think you can ever switch off and it's been proven against these two teams we've just played.
"You have to concentrate for as long as it takes because the top teams win so many games in the last 10 minutes. Sometimes you get tired because they are relentless in the way they play.
"Gareth's got pinned by Giroud, and you can't allow him to do that, because he's such a strong player and he's excellent in the air. We've no complaints with that."