Wiltord double as Arsenal run riot against West Brom

Arsenal 5 West Bromwich Albion

The vertiginously steep learning curve that has been forced upon West Bromwich Albion with opening fixtures against Manchester United, Leeds and Arsenal looked all the more daunting last night as they conceded three goals in the opening 24 minutes, completed a third game without a point and sank to the bottom of the Premiership on goal difference. The consolation lay in the way they fought back in the second half, but even then the champions and new League leaders, having lapsed into uncharacteristic casualness, were allowed to score twice more.

What has worried Albion's manager Gary Megson – and confirmed the suspicions of more neutral observers – is the way precious scoring chances have been spurned before last season's so solid crew at the back are exposed by a higher class of finishing.

The lesson was painfully repeated within three minutes of the kick-off last night. One moment Jason Roberts was moving into Arsenal's penalty area, only to shoot so feebly that his drive barely reached David Seaman. Immediately the ball was transferred to Nwankwo Kanu, whose chip down the left found Ashley Cole haring forward to bemuse Darren Moore and hit a ferocious shot into the far corner of the net.

A brief respite was followed by another spell of grief as two more goals went past Russell Hoult in as many minutes. Lauren made and scored the first of them, feeding Kanu and continuing his run before turning on the cross and shooting just under the bar. "You might as well go home," home supporters chanted at the visitors, whose less-hardy followers must have been tempted when, in the 24th minute, Wiltord was allowed to run clear on to Thierry Henry's pass and chip neatly over the goalkeeper.

Even when Roberts tried to capitalise on an error by Martin Keown, Sol Campbell managed to scrape the ball away. That must have encouraged Albion, however, and on the other side of the interval there was something to reward the visiting fans who had stayed vociferously loyal. One of the crass mistakes that Cole is prone to make brought a goal in the 51st minute: he utterly miscontrolled a lob by Roberts, presenting possession to Scott Dobie, who scored with ease.

The errors spread, with Igor Balis allowed into space to shoot across goal and Patrick Vieira's miscue giving a chance to Derek McInnes, who failed to test Seaman. Keown, having a shocking game, should have been sent off for trying to hold Dobie back as the ball ran under his foot; Seaman saved the shot and Paul Durkin, having played advantage, produced only a yellow card.

Campbell was the next home player to be afflicted, letting the lively Dobie and Roberts through to waste the opportunity between them. Arsenal did not deserve further goals by Wiltord – giving him four in three matches – and his replacement Jeremie Aliadière, but they duly conceded another in between times to Roberts, twisting past Keown.

"Someone said our season starts against Fulham on Saturday," Megson smiled. "And they've only spent £70 million."

Arsenal (4-4-2): Seaman 5; Lauren 7, Keown 3, Campbell 4, Cole 6; Wiltord 7 (Aliadière, 83), Vieira 7 (Touré, 80), Silva 7, Edu 7; Henry 7, Kanu 6 (Parlour 5, 66). Substitutes not used: Taylor (gk), Luzhny.

West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2): Hoult 5; Moore 3 Gilchrist 3, Sigurdsson 4; Balis 3, McInnes 5 (Marshall 5, 62) Johnson 5, Gregan 6, Clement 4; Roberts 5, Dobie 7. Substitutes not used: Wallwork, Dichio, Taylor, Jensen (gk).

Referee: P Durkin (Portland) 5.