New signing Samir Nasri scored after four minutes to give Arsenal a 1-0 win over promoted West Bromwich Albion when they kicked off the new Premier League season at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The 21-year-old French midfielder, signed from Olympique Marseille for 15.0 million pounds ($28.08 million) in the close-season, scored with a first-time right footed-shot after good approach work by Arsenal and a final cut-back pass from Denilson.
West Brom, back in the Premier League after two seasons in the championship (second division) were largely out-played in the north London sunshine and Arsenal dominated far more than the scoreline suggests. Six matches were being played later on Saturday with three more scheduled for Sunday when champions Manchester United open their bid for a third successive title against Newcastle United at Old Trafford.