TOP GUN ... Tomas Rosicky netted both goals as Arsenal picked up three vital points
TOMAS ROSICKY was at the double as Arsenal moved into the top four.
With Chelsea not playing until Sunday, the Gunners knew victory at The Hawthorns would see them leapfrog Rafa Benitez's men.
Rosicky opened the scoring in the first half with a rare header and netted his second early after the break to put the visitors in firm control.
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But West Brom made them work hard for the points after Per Mertesacker was red-carded and James Morrison pulled one back from the penalty spot.
TOP GUN ... Tomas Rosicky celebrates with his team-mates
West Brom started brightly and came close to scoring after Jerome Thomas won a corner.
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Chris Brunt’s delivery was met by the head of Claudio Yacob but Rosicky was on hand to clear off the line.
Yacob hooked the over the bar just moments later when the ball dropped to him after a challenge between Lukasz Fabianski and Gareth McAuley.
OFF THE LINE ... Tomas Rosicky clears the danger
Despite being under pressure early on, it was Arsenal who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Rosicky headed home following some great work from Gervinho.
The Gunners grew in confidence after the goal and a quick break allowed Rosicky to find Gervinho, who saw his low drive cleared by the feet of Ben Foster.
With 34 minutes on the clock, the Baggies appealed in vain for a penalty when Koscielny upended Yacob just inside the box.
HEADS I WIN ... Tomas Rosicky stoops to nod the ball beyond Ben Foster
The hosts continued to push for an equaliser but spurned the chance to pull level when Morrison volleyed high and wide after the ball rebounded to him off Aaron Ramsey.
And Arsenal were equally wasteful in front of goal two minutes before the break, with Ramsey poking the ball wide from six yards.
Foster bravely came to the rescue early in the second half to deny Bacary Sagna after a poor Billy Jones pass gifted possession to the visitors.
AT THE DOUBLE ... Tomas Rosicky nets his second
But the keeper was beaten in the 50th minute when Rosicky pounced on the rebound after his initial drive was saved.
West Brom had another penalty shout just after the hour mark when Morrison went down following a challenge from Mertesacker.
The appeal was waved away once again but it was third time lucky for the hosts when Mertesacker was given his marching orders for fouling Shane Long.
SPOT ON ... James Morrison nets a penalty
Referee Howard Webb had no hesitation in dismissing the Arsenal centre-back and Morrison converted the resulting penalty in the 71st minute.
Arsene Wenger responded by sending on Thomas Vermaelen in place of Gervinho and the Gunners dug in for what could prove to be a precious victory in the race for Champions League qualification.
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