FA Premiership/ Arsenal 3 West Brom 1: When Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp popped up with Arsenal's decisive goals, Arsene Wenger must have hoped it was an omen for the season-shaping seven days that begin at home to Villarreal on Wednesday.

During the two legs of that Champions League semi-final and against Tottenham here in between, the manager knows his senior players need to shine. A constant theme has been the development of youngsters but Wenger is banking on older heads helping the team through a colossal sequence of matches.

For all the promise at Arsenal, the season can end memorably only if the European Cup is lifted, or acceptably if a top-four league place is secured. The picture will be clearer at the end of next week, and Wenger will be encouraged by the impact as substitutes of Pires and Bergkamp after the concession of an unexpected equaliser. More incision will be needed over the coming three matches but minds were always liable to wander to Villarreal, and Arsenal did deserve this win.

The heroes of the club's progress in Europe have not exclusively been puppies, even if Cesc Fabregas was excellent against Real Madrid and Juventus, and Emmanuel Eboue, Philippe Senderos and Mathieu Flamini have exceeded expectations. Kolo Toure is 25, Thierry Henry has been an inspiration and there have been notable contributions from, among others, Jens Lehmann, Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb.

Wenger will expect his senior players to be prominent on Wednesday, when Gilberto's ability to quieten Juan Roman Riquelme could be crucial and Henry will surely provide more impact than in 60 minutes against a West Bromwich team high on effort but low on quality. The captain was involved in Hleb's well-worked opener but missed a chance and was well controlled early in the second half by the gifted Curtis Davies, who has caught Wenger's eye.

The manager referred to the "class and experience" of Pires and Bergkamp, and agreed such traits will be needed against Villarreal. "In the defence we are young and at the moment there is no change because there is no other possibility," he said.

"That means the rest of the team has of course to help out very well in defensive jobs because Villarreal keep the ball well, and every time we win the ball we have to play in an intelligent way and we need therefore a lot of experience."

Bergkamp will not start that game but made a fitting contribution here on "Dennis Bergkamp Day", chosen by the fans to recognise his long, distinguished service. Thousands wore Dutch orange and were treated to the striker's enduring quality when he set up Pires for 2-1 up and then curled in a trademark shot.

"I know I do not have many games left," Bergkamp said. "I now realise this is it. So this day was special for me. I will always have the memory."

He described the occasion as "emotional" and is entitled to wonder whether a European Cup final in Paris will offer an even more moving farewell.

Wenger has spoken to Bergkamp about a possible coaching role after a planned year's break but will be occupied by more immediate matters. His team's tendency to waste promising positions by declining to shoot or failing to find a killer pass might have cost them again here when Nigel Quashie equalised with a low shot after Eboue slipped. The more clinical edge shown by Bergkamp may be needed over the coming period.

Toure, Senderos and Eboue had shaky moments but West Brom rarely looked capable of capitalising, and though they might have had a penalty at 2-1 when Eboue tripped Davies, a draw would have flattered them.

With two points from 27 and Neil Clement unconvincing alongside Davies, it will be tough for them to escape the bottom three. Bryan Robson sees victory at home to Bolton today as vital.

"We need to win at least three of our last four games," the manager said, "and I still think the players are capable of that."

Wenger does not feel Manchester United will try to harm his hopes of fourth place by going easy at Tottenham today.

"They can lose the second spot - Liverpool can take over - and even the championship is not completely over," he said. He also sees an innate honesty to the English game. "The day I think it's not like that I will not stay here," he said.

• Guardian Service