Result: Newcastle 1 – 2 Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Date: 15 September 2018
Venue: St James’ Park
Arsenal returned from the international break with another win on the road. It was a poor first half from the Gunners but they bounced back in the second half with goals from Xhaka and Ozil. They dominated the second half but contrived to let in a late goal and set up a nervy finish. Still no clean sheet but the performance in the second half should provide some positives for Emery as a busy few weeks await the team.
The Arsenal Line-Up
Starting XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Subs: Leno, Holding, Lichtsteiner, Elneny, Torreira, Welbeck, Mhkitaryan
0′ – #JusticeforTorreira
It’s an unchanged line-up from the Cardiff game. “Don’t change a winning team” and all that but we’re surprised Torreira still hasn’t started a game for us this season. Could his calf strain from the interlull have played a part in this?
3′ – OZIL IN THE MIDDLE
Ozil has been drifting into the middle, leaving the right side unmanned. That right hand side has seen some Newcastle long balls passed into that channel and will be a key area in the match. Guendouzi has got a lot of work to do to cover that space for the team.
8′ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE
That right hand side is exposed again as Murphy streaks past Bellerin to drive in a low cross. Xhaka drops back to cover and clears the ball for a corner.
10′ – CECH MISTAKE
A jittery moment by Cech. He receives the ball from Mustafi wide right and tries to return the ball under pressure but the pass strays out for another corner. Newcastle have been aggressive so far and are smelling blood.
14′ – FIRST CHANCE FOR ARSENAL
Bellerin sprints down the right with a through ball by Ozil but his cutback was blocked and deflected off him for a goal kick.
17′ – GUENDOUZI CROSS
Guendouzi crosses from deep and the ball loops just past the far post. Arsenal have been struggling to control the game but seem to be getting into their groove slowly.
20′ – MUSTAFI BRAIN FART
Horrible blunder from Mustafi who loses his balance and goes to ground under no pressure. Sokratis bails him out with a great recovery run, kicking the ball out for a corner with Murphy bearing down on goal.
23′ – AUBAMEYANG CHANCE
Ozil lobs the ball over the top for the speedy Aubameyang but Fernandez times his tackle well to avoid an imminent one-on-one situation.
25′ – LACAZETTE SHOOTS INTO THE SIDE NET
The Frenchman spins past two defenders and his left foot shot hits the side netting.
29′ – A GAME OF ATTRITION
The game’s been lacking a bit of fluency despite the high energy approach by both teams.
31′ – BELLERIN HEADS IT CLEAR
Newcastle cross from deep and Bellerin clears it from the penalty spot. Diame’s run was unspotted and it could have been bad news if he went head to head with the Spaniard. We’ve got to stop their crosses from deep which has been quite frequent so far.
32′ – RAMSEY MISSES
A quick counter by Arsenal and a sweet Lacazette through pass finds Ramsey on the left. He skews his shot wide from an acute angle when he should have lobbed it to Aubameyang who was well positioned at the far post. Best move by Arsenal so far.
40′ – ARSENAL GETS INTO THE GROOVE
Arsenal have been pinging the ball around comfortably in the last 2 minutes without much penetration. Bellerin then finds some space on the right to cut back into a crowded penalty area. Newcastle defenders manage to clear the ball before our forwards get a chance to pounce on the opportunity.
43′ – LACAZETTE MISCONTROLS THE BALL
And it goes out for a throw in. It’s typified the half so far.
HALF-TIME: NEWCASTLE 0 – 0 ARSENAL
A half full of graft but very little fluency. Newcastle have been direct in their approach and attacked down our right with much success. Arsenal need to show greater support for the right hand side by having Ozil and Guendouzi cover that space better for our defenders. Could it be time for Torreira?
46′ – IT IS TIME FOR TORREIRA
The Uruguayan comes on for Guendouzi in the second half. He is positioned slightly in front of Xhaka, allowing the Swiss to dictate the passing from deep.
47′ – ⚽ GOAL XHAKA FREE KICK! 1-0 ARSENAL
A quick pass from Torreira to Aubameyang leads to a tackle on the striker and a free kick from outside the box. Xhaka curls it sweetly into the top corner. A good platform for us to kick on from.
52′ – THE SWAGGER’S BACK
The passing has been smoother and faster and the movement, more enterprising. A minor tweak sees Lacazette drifting sightly to the right to offer a passing option for the team. Newcastle have lost their focus since the goal.
55′ – FRONT TWO
Aubameyang takes his place further up the field to form a front two with Lacazette. Ramsey and Ozil are positioned around the inside left and right areas respectively.
56′ – ⚽ GOAL BY OZIL! 2-0
Xhaka finds his way to the left and pulls a ball back for Lacazette who has his shot blocked by a wall of defenders. Ozil pounces on the stray ball with a low shot that squirms under the hands of Dubravka. A great way to commemorate his 200th game for Arsenal.
59′ – COULD HAVE BEEN 3
Another counter attack sees Lacazette pass the ball to Aubameyang who was in acres of space on the left. He tries for the far post but the shot is just wide.
67′ – CECH STARTS A COUNTER
The keeper comes a long way off his line to clear the ball and inadvertently starts a counter. Lacazette slips the ball through for Aubameyang who was just short of reaching it.
68′ – ARSENAL TAKING THE MHKI
Mhkitaryan comes on for Aubameyang and we revert back to a lone striker formation. Mhki takes his place on the left.
70′ – TORREIRA SHOOTS
Arsenal passes the ball comfortably around the Newcastle box. Ozil tees up an onrushing Torreira and he skies his shot high and wide from outside the box.
72′ – MHKITARYAN CHANCE
Another lightning quick counter by Arsenal. Ramsey drives forward from the right and crosses to Mhkitaryan who is in acres of space on the left. His shot is saved for a corner. Arsenal have been excellent in the second half.
76′ – SOKRATIS SAVE
A great recovery run from Sokratis sees him clearing the ball but is unfortunate to have been a recipient of a late tackle by Kenedy.
79′ – ARSENAL SUBSTITUTION
Danny Welbeck comes on for Ramsey. He moves wide left while Mhkitaryan shifts right.
84′ – ANOTHER ARSENAL ATTEMPT
Lacazette sees his shot blocked in the penalty box.
87′ – CECH’S FIRST SAVE
A free header for Joselu, who peeled way from Mustafi, is saved superby by Cech. Their first real attempt on goal.
88′ – WELBECK ON THE COUNTER
The forward streaked past a tired Newcastle defence but could only hit the side netting on his attempt on goal.
90′ – GOAL NEWCASTLE
Clarks finds space at the far post to thump a header past Cech. It’s a nervy end of game for Arsenal.
FULL TIME: NEWCASTLE 1 – 2 ARSENAL
Arsenal bounced back from a flat first half to put in a dynamic performance in the second half. We also saw the introduction of Torreira for Guendouzi which improved our offensive and defensive game. Goals from Xhaka and Ozil won the game in which we dominated play. In typical Arsenal fashion, they let in a goal in injury time for a nervy last couple of minutes before the final whistle.
Newcastle not a strong team but good to get the three points after a lacklustre first half. Great Xhaka strike. And Sp*rs lost too!
Get in!!! Good 3 points away from home. 3 wins on the spin, 2 of them away from home. We have a run of winnable games, hopefully we can gain some momentum and clim up the table before winter comes! Up the Arsenal!!
Back to back away wins shows this team has huge potential. I have always said that no away game in the EPL is easy, and any team however high could drop points away to any team however low. Back to back away wins shows that despite the early defeats the team has great potential. All Arsenal fans could be quietly optimistic of a top four finish. Liverpool look too strong right now and I would pick them ahead of City for the title. Chelsea are living in a bubble around the easy games of the league. They did defeat Arsenal,… Read more »
Made it difficult for ourselves right at the end but a much better second half gave us a deserved win and puts us level on points with Sp*rs. Plenty to work on but a good result.
Those first 20 minutes were properly shocking… and we probably should have closed out the game with a third goal.
But hey two away wins in a row. Level on points with spurs. I’ll effing take it.
Agree, I’m happy for the points but sooner or later can we please start twisting the knife a little? Up 2-0 with momentum, Lacazette/Auba/Ozil/Ramsey on the pitch….why can’t we hammer in a couple more and make it definitive? Either way, glad for the W.
Ya gunners ya! Solid win didn’t even need to kick it out it out second gear, except of course in the last 3 mins when Arsenal being Arsenal had to make things that little bit nervy…
“Ozil has been drifting into the middle, leaving the right side unmanned. That right hand side has seen some Newcastle long balls passed into that channel and will be a key area in the match. Guendouzi has got a lot of work to do to cover that space for the team.”
Bellerin not here? Or Özil is the right hand defender now?
Bellerin was playing but he can’t do it on his own. Ozil was playing in a very crowded central area in the first half. It was no coincidence that we played better in the second half when Ozil tried to limit his runs in-field and was on the right hand side more to receive passes and block passing channels.
Just bellerin not there? There’s normally 10 Arsenal players not there for Alex !!!
Annoying not to keep a clean sheet, but a fairly comfortable second half and another 3 points away from home 🙂
Speaking of not keeping a clean sheet, that’s two games in a row that we’ve allowed goals because the full-back nearest the ball hasn’t closed down the crosser. That’s basic stuff that shouldn’t need coaching, but maybe Unai needs to hammer the point home.
Also, can we all agree that Torreira should be starting ahead of Guendouzi next game?
I like Guendouzi but Torreira has to start for me.
I hope Emery continues to defy all of you and Guendouzi stays in the starting line-up.
Or do we have more than one Lucas Torreira in the squad? We don’t need 90mins from him to beat Newcastle when 45mins is enough. It’s risky but I think our coach knows what he’s doing.
Xhaka channeling his inner sideshow bob for that free kick. Let’s hope he keeps improvong because my heart can’t take it when he’s not playing well!!
So far so good. Im concerned about the impact Europa league and other cup games will have on the squad physically. I hope we get knocked out of cups sooner rather than later.
Premier league is the priority closely followed by Europa league.
Agree to an extent but I thought our bench looked strong. So we can rotate a lot for the Europa and keep the rest of the players fresh.
Main concern in the league is the top 3, they are looking v strong making it a fight for 4th. We have more chance in the Europa.
The europa league groups are really weak. Arsene proved that last season by changing almost the entire 11 for most games. Absolutely no reason we can’t do the same again.
Come on, man, we have Iwobi, Mhiki, Elneny, Welbs, Nketiah, Holding, Mavrapanos, Maitland-Niles, Leno, Lichtsteiner, Kolasinec…these guys want to play and can win cup/Europa games with a few first time guys aboard. Don’t wish for us to lose.
I hope we go far in all the cup competitions. In fact I hope we win them all. For the first half of the season, we don’t really need to play a single first XI player in the cups, this will do (when no-one’s injured):
Leno
Lichtsteiner, Mavropanos, Holding, Kolasinac
Elneny, Maitland-Niles
Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Welbeck
Nketiah
That line-up should smash Vorskla and Qarabag and won’t be out of place against Sporting Lisbon.
Sokratis’ best game?
Seems like it. His recovery runs saved us numerous times today. More of the same please!
Sokratis does seem to be getting stronger by each passing game. Mustafi however…
I thought Mustafi looked decent… until he decided to fall over under no pressure. *face palm*
strong and surprisingly fast! I can’t wait for Sokratis to team up with Kos the boss! I think that will be our best pairing.
What’s Robbie Holding been up to? Surprised he can’t get a sniff in. Hopefully will be used in some upcoming cup games.
Xhaka and Torriera is the way forward, great inter-changing between the front but as the game wore on they tired and both our full backs started to become exposed. So good to win away again and maybe one day we’ll get that clean sheet!
Solid win. Dominant ins 2nd half even though the first 25 min were poor. Guendouzi coming off at half was very odd. I know Torreira would’ve started if not for the calf injury with Uruguay, but still strange to make the change at half
Would you rather wait till minute 85 like Wenger used to do and maybe draw or lose a game we actually won because of this early change?
Xhaka was fantastic throughout. He played a load of great balls into scoring chances and he stopped dangerous attacks on more than one occasion. Not to mention the goal!
Feels good to have a goal from free kick
Sokratis had a good game and defended well
Newcastle were lot organised in 1st half hence could not attack
Good to be in top 6
Hope Manu lose as all other top teams won
When will our 1st cleansheet will come???
Don’t want to ruin the party or anything but it just saddens me how our defenders can’t focus for the full 90.
For the last couple headers Newcastle had (including the goal), Mustafi gets caught out and his man is free to head. For the goal both Bellerin and Mustafi are caught ball watching.
I’m personally happy that Sokratis is in the team to shore up things on the other side. He wasn’t caught out on any of Newcastle’s chances in the game.
It’s just the culture left by Wenger; hopefully Emery will get rid of that soon
I have this feeling that Emery is deliberately making sure to keep the beast that is Torreira under wraps until second half and BANG! No one sees it coming
They cannot handle him. And he’s growing in confidence all the time. Got brutally nutmegged by Kenedy and still got back in position before you could blink.
Newcastle’s goal and Bellerin’s non effort to stay with the defensive line pretty much confirmed what I’ve suspected for a while – the guy simply could not give a fuck. He could have just decided to retreat at the same rate as the centre backs and been in a perfect position to prevent the free header. But nah, we’re 2-0 nil up with 2 mins to go, obviously not worth the effort. I just hope someone in the team throttles him. As an (amateur) goalkeeper myself I would just fucking lose it at a full back who did that. With… Read more »
He’d been running up and down almost non-stop for the whole game so maybe his legs were gone, maybe he was fucking exhausted, but you know everything going on in his mind, don’t you. You should stick to AFTV, they’re your sort of fan, you must fit in really nicely there. As an amateur goalkeeper yourself I’m surprised you aren’t playing at a better level as you so clearly know how the mind of a successful fullback works.
Love this!
Sorry, I just don’t buy that his legs were so far gone that he was unable to put in more than a light jog when there was such an obvious and preventable danger. He clearly saw two players run unmarked to the back post and was in line with the rest of defence just before the cross came in, yet no attempt to defend was made. Clearly I don’t know ‘everything going on his mind’, but I’ve been watching him long enough to know that he just doesn’t care (at least about defending). It’s hardly an isolated incident of his… Read more »
Get in. Thought we were great in the second half. Still a bit shaky at the back but getting better every game. Thought Sokratis was excellent individually.
Also did anyone clock the random topless bloke on the far side in the corner??? Geordies are odd
We’re improving slowly game for game and two away wins feels good. Newcastle though not a dangerous team even at home.
We should’ve killed off the game earlier and Bellerin still need to improve his awareness at crosses from left , he still let opponents run easily pass him. But overall a good day for us.
”In the 109 minutes that the German has played this season, he’s yet to make an assist. According to the Premier League’s data, and somewhat more surprising, he’s not yet created a big chance for his teammates or even made a successful through ball.
For a player who has 50 assists to his name in the league since signing from Real Madrid five years ago, it’s something of a concern”
There! he did you one better @blog. Now, you can grab yourself a cup coffee and lay to rest your worries. #YaGunnersYa# #MesweetOzil#
Shame about no clean sheet but onwards & upwards.