Deep into the three minutes of injury time and it looks like Arsenal have done enough - but only just - to take all three points as West Brom are out of ideas.
89
Arsenal have the ball at the right end of the pitch as far as they are concerned and look comfortable playing out the final moments for an opening day three points - but it has been promising from the Baggies.
86
West Brom are still in with a chance here if they can just force an opening for the likes of Bednar - but at the other end van Persie turns and almost finishes things off brilliantly but the ball drifts wide.
83
Adebayor is a man whom the fans have rather fallen out with over the summer after his public flirting with Milan and, as he runs down a blind alley, he is actually booed by a section of supporters.
81
Smart, but rather ponderous, play from Arsenal down the left flank again as Adebayor eventually wriggles free to stand the ball up to the back post where Van Persie rises to head straight at Carson - his first save of the half.
80
Substitution
Mowbray makes his final change of the game as Chris Brunt is replaced by Scotland's former Celtic striker Craig Beattie.
79
With West Brom pressing for a priceless equaliser they are opening up gaps for Arsenal to break into from deep and that is arguably where the hosts are at their most threatening.
76
Suddenly everything has become a little tense inside the Emirates as West Brom start to look dangerous once more and the Gunners' frustrations are growing.
74
Substitution
Another substitution, this time for West Brom as the hard-working Ishmael Miller is replaced by the powerful Roman Bednar who will provide a serious aerial threat.
72
Substitution
Theo Walcott has been busy without ever being at his most incisive today and he is now replaced by the returning Kolo Toure - who gets a huge ovation.
70
Substitution
Finally Robin Van Persie enters the fray after the longest warm-up ever seen as he replaces the wasteful Bendtner.
68
Substitution
Tony Mowbray is making a change as Marek Cech is replaced by Sherjill MacDonald in a straight swap in the Baggies midfield.
68
Adebayor is the second player to have a goal disallowed for offside as he tucks home Walccott's cross from close range but after a fortuitous ricochet it is no surprise Walcott was offside in the build up.
65
Emmanuel Eboue is lining up another attempt fron range but he rather sums up why he frustrates so many of the home supporters on such a regular basis as he slices it well wide.
61
Theo Walcott thinks he is about to give Arsenal a two-goal cushion but James Morrison makes a timely sliding challenge to divert the ball away from the England winger.
60
Robin Van Persie has been lining up ever since the start of the second half and you get the feeling it might not be long before the Dutchman makes an appearance to try and spark Arsenal back into life.
58
Ishmael Miller blasts the ball into the back of the net but he had not quite managed to get himself back onside and referee Webb was quick to disallow it.
56
A slight lull again at the moment but West Brom have made a game of this, something that looked almost impossible in the opening ten minutes.
52
Just like that! Glorious chance for Adebayor as he is fed into the left channel and attempts an Henryesque finish inside the far post but he doesn't quite bend it enough as it slides wide.
51
Almunia and Gallas are screaming at each other after that and suddenly the lead looks fragile - alternatively it could fire the Gunners up.
50
Oh so close for the visitors! Miller eludes all his markers to find himself through on Almunia who makes a superb save and then as Robinson drives the rebound goalwards Djourou is on the line to deflect it wide.
48
A slow start to the half with the Baggies looking a lot more settled than they did first time around and Arsenal are content to pass the ball about and be patient.
Second half
Here we go again! West Brom will no doubt be hoping they can hold out a little longer in this second period than they did in the first and forge a real foothold in the match.
Half time
HT:Arsenal 1-0 West Brom: West Brom have battled their way back into the game after a stunning start from Arsenal who have failed to add to Nasri's early strike.
43
It appears Arsenal are going to have a burst for a second goal in the final moments before the break but Adebayor is crowded out on the edge of the box this time.
41
Samir Nasri has been a little quiet in the last quarter of an hour bt he bursts back into life with a sharp left footed effort from range that is too hot for Carson to handle at the first attempt.
37
West Brom have responded very well having gone behind so early in the game and need to hold out until the break now if they can to really build a base.
34
Arsenal are just starting to wind themselves up for a further assault on Scott Carson's goal as we approach the end of the half and Eboue fires wide.
30
Route One from West Brom and almost one-one on the scoreboard as Kim's left footed bobbling effort forces Almunia to parry the ball wide.
28
Chris Brunt is usually very reliable with his left footed delivery but not this time as he drops a corner into Adebayor at the near post and then floats the second chance over everyone.
25
Shocking marking, shocking miss! Bendtner is left inexplicably free on the edge of the six-yard box to meet Nasri's corner but he mistimes his header and wastes the chance.
22
A little aside here by the way that the opening 20 minutes have not seen any problems with the new 'RESPECT' intiative - although admittedly there has not been a tackle or incident of any note.
19
However, Arsenal are still thoroughly enjoying themselves in the opening stages here and Bacary Sagna hits a half volley with his unfavoured left foot that skews of Leon Barnett just wide of the far post with Carson stranded.
17
Better from West Brom. Greening, Kim and Cech are beginning to find some time on the ball themselves and just slow down the tempo a little.
14
Tony Mowbray is out on the touchline frantically trying to organise his side a little better because at the moment the Gunners are in cruise control.
11
That rather typifies it! William Gallas waltzes gently into midfield to pick up the ball and drive it from all of 30 yards and its just a matter of inches wide of the post.
9
You simply cannot give Arsenal this much time and space on the ball but West Brom are not getting near them - they need to get tighter and more in their faces before things get worse.
7
The signs are worrying for West Brom early on here because Arsenal's passing is in the groove already and Adebayor crosses for Walcot and thankfully for the Baggies Robinson is in the way.
4
Goal
GOAL:Arsenal 1-0 West Brom: (4mins) What a way to introduce yourself! Free-flowing combinations from the Gunners on the left hand side and Nasri is left free to slide the ball past Carson to give the Gunners a 1-0 lead.
2
There were concerns before kick-off that Arsenal were lacking a ball winner in midfield and Emmanuel Eboue is the man given the responsibility of denying West Brom space in midfield.
1
Kickoff
Howard Webb gets the first game of the new season underway and nine months of joy, tension pain and suffering have officially begun.
Awaiting Kickoff
The level of anticipation is rising steadily ahead of the first game of the new campaign as Gunners fans flock to see their side in action but West Brom could prove a stern test.
Awaiting Kickoff
West Brom: Carson, Hoefkens, Barnett, Meite, Robinson, Brunt, Morrison, Greening, Kim, Cech, Miller
Baggies boss Tony Mowbray is still trying to recruit as the season begins but his side are the most fancied of the promoted sides to avoid the drop and they look likely to set-up with the intention of stifling the flowing Gunners attack.
Awaiting Kickoff
Arsene Wenger has lost key personnel over the summer but has spent the money wisely and his costliest summer addition, Samir Nasri, has recovered from a slight knock to make his competitive Gunners debut.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to a rapidly filling Emirates Stadium as newly promoted West Brom face the daunting task of an improving Arsenal side on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Arsenal
West Bromwich Albion
Full time
FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 WEST BROM
Deep into the three minutes of injury time and it looks like Arsenal have done enough - but only just - to take all three points as West Brom are out of ideas.
Arsenal have the ball at the right end of the pitch as far as they are concerned and look comfortable playing out the final moments for an opening day three points - but it has been promising from the Baggies.
West Brom are still in with a chance here if they can just force an opening for the likes of Bednar - but at the other end van Persie turns and almost finishes things off brilliantly but the ball drifts wide.
Adebayor is a man whom the fans have rather fallen out with over the summer after his public flirting with Milan and, as he runs down a blind alley, he is actually booed by a section of supporters.
Smart, but rather ponderous, play from Arsenal down the left flank again as Adebayor eventually wriggles free to stand the ball up to the back post where Van Persie rises to head straight at Carson - his first save of the half.
Substitution
Mowbray makes his final change of the game as Chris Brunt is replaced by Scotland's former Celtic striker Craig Beattie.
With West Brom pressing for a priceless equaliser they are opening up gaps for Arsenal to break into from deep and that is arguably where the hosts are at their most threatening.
Suddenly everything has become a little tense inside the Emirates as West Brom start to look dangerous once more and the Gunners' frustrations are growing.
Substitution
Another substitution, this time for West Brom as the hard-working Ishmael Miller is replaced by the powerful Roman Bednar who will provide a serious aerial threat.
Substitution
Theo Walcott has been busy without ever being at his most incisive today and he is now replaced by the returning Kolo Toure - who gets a huge ovation.
Substitution
Finally Robin Van Persie enters the fray after the longest warm-up ever seen as he replaces the wasteful Bendtner.
Substitution
Tony Mowbray is making a change as Marek Cech is replaced by Sherjill MacDonald in a straight swap in the Baggies midfield.
Adebayor is the second player to have a goal disallowed for offside as he tucks home Walccott's cross from close range but after a fortuitous ricochet it is no surprise Walcott was offside in the build up.
Emmanuel Eboue is lining up another attempt fron range but he rather sums up why he frustrates so many of the home supporters on such a regular basis as he slices it well wide.
Theo Walcott thinks he is about to give Arsenal a two-goal cushion but James Morrison makes a timely sliding challenge to divert the ball away from the England winger.
Robin Van Persie has been lining up ever since the start of the second half and you get the feeling it might not be long before the Dutchman makes an appearance to try and spark Arsenal back into life.
Ishmael Miller blasts the ball into the back of the net but he had not quite managed to get himself back onside and referee Webb was quick to disallow it.
A slight lull again at the moment but West Brom have made a game of this, something that looked almost impossible in the opening ten minutes.
Just like that! Glorious chance for Adebayor as he is fed into the left channel and attempts an Henryesque finish inside the far post but he doesn't quite bend it enough as it slides wide.
Almunia and Gallas are screaming at each other after that and suddenly the lead looks fragile - alternatively it could fire the Gunners up.
Oh so close for the visitors! Miller eludes all his markers to find himself through on Almunia who makes a superb save and then as Robinson drives the rebound goalwards Djourou is on the line to deflect it wide.
A slow start to the half with the Baggies looking a lot more settled than they did first time around and Arsenal are content to pass the ball about and be patient.
Second half
Here we go again! West Brom will no doubt be hoping they can hold out a little longer in this second period than they did in the first and forge a real foothold in the match.
Half time
HT:Arsenal 1-0 West Brom: West Brom have battled their way back into the game after a stunning start from Arsenal who have failed to add to Nasri's early strike.
It appears Arsenal are going to have a burst for a second goal in the final moments before the break but Adebayor is crowded out on the edge of the box this time.
Samir Nasri has been a little quiet in the last quarter of an hour bt he bursts back into life with a sharp left footed effort from range that is too hot for Carson to handle at the first attempt.
West Brom have responded very well having gone behind so early in the game and need to hold out until the break now if they can to really build a base.
Arsenal are just starting to wind themselves up for a further assault on Scott Carson's goal as we approach the end of the half and Eboue fires wide.
Route One from West Brom and almost one-one on the scoreboard as Kim's left footed bobbling effort forces Almunia to parry the ball wide.
Chris Brunt is usually very reliable with his left footed delivery but not this time as he drops a corner into Adebayor at the near post and then floats the second chance over everyone.
Shocking marking, shocking miss! Bendtner is left inexplicably free on the edge of the six-yard box to meet Nasri's corner but he mistimes his header and wastes the chance.
A little aside here by the way that the opening 20 minutes have not seen any problems with the new 'RESPECT' intiative - although admittedly there has not been a tackle or incident of any note.
However, Arsenal are still thoroughly enjoying themselves in the opening stages here and Bacary Sagna hits a half volley with his unfavoured left foot that skews of Leon Barnett just wide of the far post with Carson stranded.
Better from West Brom. Greening, Kim and Cech are beginning to find some time on the ball themselves and just slow down the tempo a little.
Tony Mowbray is out on the touchline frantically trying to organise his side a little better because at the moment the Gunners are in cruise control.
That rather typifies it! William Gallas waltzes gently into midfield to pick up the ball and drive it from all of 30 yards and its just a matter of inches wide of the post.
You simply cannot give Arsenal this much time and space on the ball but West Brom are not getting near them - they need to get tighter and more in their faces before things get worse.
The signs are worrying for West Brom early on here because Arsenal's passing is in the groove already and Adebayor crosses for Walcot and thankfully for the Baggies Robinson is in the way.
Goal
GOAL:Arsenal 1-0 West Brom: (4mins) What a way to introduce yourself! Free-flowing combinations from the Gunners on the left hand side and Nasri is left free to slide the ball past Carson to give the Gunners a 1-0 lead.
There were concerns before kick-off that Arsenal were lacking a ball winner in midfield and Emmanuel Eboue is the man given the responsibility of denying West Brom space in midfield.
Kickoff
Howard Webb gets the first game of the new season underway and nine months of joy, tension pain and suffering have officially begun.
Awaiting Kickoff
The level of anticipation is rising steadily ahead of the first game of the new campaign as Gunners fans flock to see their side in action but West Brom could prove a stern test.
Awaiting Kickoff
West Brom: Carson, Hoefkens, Barnett, Meite, Robinson, Brunt, Morrison, Greening, Kim, Cech, Miller
Awaiting Kickoff
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Walcott, Denilson, Nasri, Eboue, Adebayor, Bendtner
Awaiting Kickoff
Baggies boss Tony Mowbray is still trying to recruit as the season begins but his side are the most fancied of the promoted sides to avoid the drop and they look likely to set-up with the intention of stifling the flowing Gunners attack.
Awaiting Kickoff
Arsene Wenger has lost key personnel over the summer but has spent the money wisely and his costliest summer addition, Samir Nasri, has recovered from a slight knock to make his competitive Gunners debut.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to a rapidly filling Emirates Stadium as newly promoted West Brom face the daunting task of an improving Arsenal side on the opening day of the Premier League season.