Arsenal 2, Albion 0

So far so good.

Albion are holding their own in the Premier League, on course for survival with a point a game.

And as Chris Hughton pointed out after a predictably routine defeat at Arsenal, it could have been better but for the points dropped at Bournemouth in particular and also at Watford.

They continued to be competitve and to look as if they belong at this level, once they had recovered from a step back in their progression in the early stages at the Emirates.

They were so deep that even Izzy Brown, operating as an emergency number nine due to the injury and suspension crisis up front, was only 30 yards from his own goal.

Lesser sides would have capitulated after conceding early, but Albion grew into the game without ever threatening to cause an upset once Arsenal doubled their lead early in the second half.

The Argus: Hughton (above) would have feared when the fixtures were released the potential for hammerings in the opening seven matches, first up at home to Manchester City and then Arsenal, and the accompanying damage to confidence for a club and players finding their feet among the elite.

That has not happened and, in contrast to other more established Premier League outfits, Albion look solid enough to suggest it will not occur often, if at all, from here on either.

Consider what Manchester City and Arsenal have done to opponents apart from their 2-0 wins over Hughton's newcomers.

City scored four or more against Liverpool, Watford, Crystal Palace and Feyenoord. Leicester, Bournemouth and Cologne all conceded three or more at the Emirates.

Huddersfield had a go early on against Spurs - and found themselves three down. Talk of their wise early recruitment has soon evaporated.

The danger of a drubbing by over-committing becomes greater as the quality of the opposition increases.

Late in the first half, Albion had a corner. Solly March was crowded out, Arsenal swarmed forward rapidly in numbers and only a fine save by Mathew Ryan with his shins from Aaron Ramsey stopped them taking a 2-0 lead into the break.

Hughton's selection, in the circumstances, was as bold as he could afford to be.

He went for pace and athleticism in the hope of stretching Arsenal when the opportunity arose with March, Brown and Jose Izquierdo, given his first start at the expense of Anthony Knockaert.

It was sensible adventure, Pascal Gross dropping back into midfield and Gaetan Bong offering more defensive security at left-back.

It will get easier than this for record signing Izquierdo. The Colombian gave away the free-kick from which Arsenal opened the scoring and generally struggled, apart from one or two attacking flashes in the first half.

Albion protested the ball had gone out beyond the far post when the free-kick was headed back for Nacho Monreal to ram in his first league goal since March 2013 after Shkodran Mustafi's shot had been blocked.

The Argus: That was 16 minutes in and French marksman Alexandre Lacazette had already lashed against a post by then from outside the box (above) in his quest to become the first Arsenal player to score in his first four league appearances since 1958.

Falling behind, far from terrorising Albion, actually galvanised them. They nearly levelled when room was created from another of their free-kick routines for Arsenal supporter March to strike a post from 20 yards.

It was the same old Arsenal at times, a joy going forward, unconvincing at the back in spite of their sequence of four clean sheets since Liverpool thumped them.

Alex Iwobi removed any doubt about the result early in the second half, firing past the excellent Ryan into the roof of the net from a delightful back-heel by Alexis Sanchez, a reminder of the Chilean's class on an afternoon when he sometimes appeared disinterested.

The same could be said of the Arsenal supporters, subdued by a noon kick-off and the expectation of a comfortable victory.

It was, but the Albion fans were determined to enjoy themselves and they remained in good spirits.

They nearly had a goal to cheer during a late rally when Glenn Murray (below), introduced in tandem with Knockaert, got across the defender at the near post to head just wide from the type of service from Gross that he thrives on.

The Argus: In other instances throughout the match a bit more precision and ambition in possession from Albion would have given Arsene Wenger, celebrating 21 years in charge, more anxiety about completing a victory against a 45th different Premier League club, surpassing for once Sir Alex Ferguson.

Albion go to Mourinho's Manchester United next month. Their Premier League future will not be decided by fixtures like that or this one, so much as those before it against Everton, West Ham, Southampton, Swansea and Stoke.