Result: Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United
Competition: Premier League
Date: 18 January 2020
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal: Leno, Cedric, Luiz, Holding, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Subs: Runarsson, Bellerin, Gabriel, Elneny, Willock, Willian, Pepe, Martinelli, Nketiah
A brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a tidy finish by Bukayo Saka sealed a comfortable 3-0 win for Arsenal as Newcastle were vanquished at the Emirates for the second time in nine days.
The visitors proved to be stubborn opponents in the first half but as their legs tired, the Gunners found room to make their possession count. Three goals in 17 minutes coupled with another clean sheet – our fifth in a row in all competitions – means we climb to the heady heights of tenth in the Premier League table.
Pre-game
After Thursday’s limp 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta was pleased that Kieran Tierney was fit to start again. The Scot took up his usual left-back slot with Cedric on the opposite flank filling in for Hector Bellerin. David Luiz and Rob Holding partnered up in the middle. Thomas Partey, making his first start since the defeat to Sp*rs, joined Granit Xhaka in midfield. The attacking unit had a familiar look to it. Smith Rowe behind Lacazette with Saka and Auba on the flanks. Martinelli, Gabriel and Willian gave the bench a Brazilian flavour.
First Half
Newcastle may have lined up in a new formation compared to nine days ago, but even in a 4-4-2 they were determined to sit deep and soak up pressure.
Granit Xhaka recognised the need to play with a quick tempo and was noticeably forward-thinking when on the ball but there was a familiar lethargy in the opening 10 minutes. In terms of goal threat, the best we managed was a Luiz header from a Cedric freekick but the effort was way off target.
Bit by bit we started to crank up the pressure and Aubameyang really should have broken the deadlock on 13 minutes. Cedric and Smith Rowe helped free Saka whose low cross teased found our captain at the back post. A slight deflection on the ball by keeper Darlow probably helped him but with the ball travelling at pace the best he could do was hit the post.
You could tell the missed opportunity got into Auba’s head. His shoulders slumped a bit and he went on to miss two further chances. On 27 minutes Partey freed Smith Rowe down the left and his cutback to the striker was fired over the bar. 13 minutes later, he tried a side-footer from Thierry-territory but scuffed wide. It really wasn’t his half of football.
Partey and Xhaka, ably assisted by Smith Rowe, did very well winning the ball back in midfield but we became visibly frustrated as we repeatedly struggled to find space behind the visitors’ defence. As the half wore on, we started to force passes that weren’t really on and the game became very scrappy.
An Almiron shot, following a decent run and exchange of passes with Carroll, was a warning that Steve Bruce’s side weren’t completely impotent. A poor header by Luiz, who connected with a Saka corner, was a reminder that we quite often are.
Second Half
Inside 90 seconds of the restart, Darlow was forced into a fine save by Lacazette who’d pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired a shot on the diagonal low and true through a crowd of players. The Newcastle keeper got a strong hand to the ball.
Five minutes, later, Auba put his bad first half to bed with a fine solo goal. It owed much to a brilliant bit of play from Partey who collected a pass from Lacazette deep in his own half and clipped a perfect ball to Auba racing from the halfway line. The 31-year-old without breaking stride carried the ball 30-yards, teasing his marker before unleashing a left foot cracker past Darlow at his near post. (1-0)
Saka came close to doubling our lead on 58 minutes after a neat one-two but his fierce shot was closed down at close quarters by Krafth. The youngster didn’t have to wait much longer to get on the scoresheet. Two minutes later, a lovely jinking run down the left by Smith Rowe ended with a perfect cutback and the 19-year-old tucked home low with his left foot. (2-0)
The goals got the juices flowing and Lacazette had two chances in quick succession to add a third. He was inches away from connecting with a low Tierney cross and with the ball still alive then forced Darlow into a save when Saka picked him out with a dinked cross.
Steve Bruce’s players looked knackered and with the game increasingly stretched Arteta sent on Elneny to give Partey a breather. With 13 minutes remaining, Auba added a third. Saka and Cedric combined down the right and the Portuguese just managed to keep the ball in play at the byline as he picked out our unmarked striker. He made the finish look easy, tapping home first time. (3-0)
Willian and Martinelli were introduced for Aubameyang and Smith Rowe in the closing stages. Sky Sports handed the man-of-the-match gong to the former, but the latter’s contribution really was superb. As the Gunners get ready to wave good farewell to one number 10, we may just have found another locksmith.
ESR WTF!
Enjoyable 2nd half.
Saka and ESR are not just the future but current as well.
Tierney, what an impact he has from the LB position!
Nothing against Luis but hope Arteta brings Gabriel back to the starting line soon. We’ll need him for stronger opponents.
Such a great evenings work! So many positives.
Plus Arteta just murdered Steve Bruce. His first confirmed kill.
In the past when we’ve had a great crop of young players, you tend to say if one makes it through that’d be incredible.
But with Saka and ESR looking utterly unplayable and Martinelli (perhaps not a true academy player) knocking on the door, we can’t have any complaints if perhaps Eddie and Joe don’t quite get there.
With Partey fit, I’m thinking Joe could struggle. Needs a loan but a cash offer might be tempting.
Mrs Doubtfire and the twisted nose that Wrighty gave him in the tunnel at Old Trafford.
so happy that soares and mari have started showing their mettle. Come-on willian, you can also turn your form around. We are with you.
Cedric gave us a fine performance tonight.
He’s worth more than Emillion now
Smith Rowe : top, top quality “Croydon De Bruyne”
Auba: 2 goal will do him world of good
Holding: playing with a santiesque smile on his face
Cedric: great attacking performance
Partey: fantastic assist
Andy Carroll: falling about like a topknotted giraffe on iceskatws
All in all great night.
Cedric was a bit of a surprise
Good surprise as it turned out.
Indeed
If you had really watched him in previous matches it no surprise to me. He and Mari are turning out to be good signings
Both quality, cedric was never a bad signing, Mari is solid.
Thought he did great actually. Hopefully he’ll just get better and better too
Cedric has always been good enough, for Southampton and Portugal–it’s the contract that’s troubling.
Why’s it troubling, a 28 year old on a free transfer for a 4 year contract sounds reasonable
Cedric was outstanding. MOTM for mine. That was the best performance by an Arsenal RB in some time. On the back of that performance he should remain in the team. I’ve been critical of his signing, but this was a classy display.
Partey was simply a class above what we have seen from out midfield in recent years, I’m salivating seeing more of him combining with ESR, Saka, Tierney, (Cedric), Auba, Laca, et al…
He was up there! I think the questions of him are can he play well against a team that really threatens us and can he play that well consistently. Certainly a kick up the arse for Bellerin who doesn’t always use the ball as cleverly.
It just feels like Hector has been meh for a long while now. Not bad by any stretch, but it seems we have been waiting on him getting to the level we expected of him for a long time. Has he just plateaued? Maybe. I was thinking in this game, this is what it feels like to have two effective fullbacks again. Haven’t had it since Sanga and Clichy. On form Cedric deserves to play because anything close to that just makes us a FAR more dynamic team from both flanks, instead of this crazy left sided overload. That alone… Read more »
Really good point you make, made us so much more balanced with cedric on right (even though bellerin has been good going forward in some of our past few games). Cedric a better “footballer” than hector, better touch and control and better passer imo.
There we go again. Cedric was a subject of ridicule not long ago and all of a sudden one good performance has made him a super player and Hector a bad one. Not long ago it was Auba, now he has started scoring so you have to find a new culprit. Can’t we praise a good performance of a player without throwing another under the bus?
Absolutely right – we don’t need to praise someone at the cost of someone – last matches Bellerin has been very good – nice to have two good right backs
Much better game all round. Really hope we find some kind of flow now, because we’ve got quite a tough run of games coming up. We’ve shown some signs of what we can do, but I feel like we’re still not playing anywhere near our potential. Onwards and upwards!
Cedric needs a run of games especially against the teams we are meant to attack. Only then can we judge how good he is and not this prejudice that he’s a Southampton reject so he’s poor.
Looks way better than Hector in attack and his free kick delivery in the first half was ace. If not for positioning I’d have him on corner kick duties too. Pace, flat deliveries we haven’t seen since the days of RVP
He was good. Bellerin is good too. Don’t think we need to denigrate Hector cos Cedric was good. It’s brilliant to have competition for the spot.
Finally some sense.
It is more like
Emil Smith-Belgium.
Good win, 2 goals for PEA, clean sheet, not very bothered thru the game, Tierney, Thomas and Martinelli featured. I’ll take it
But gosh whenever I see Willian on the pitch my head hurts, he slow us down sooooo much. Would’ve rather seen Pepe
If you’re going to bring on an underperforming player, its good to do it at 3-0 and cruising
Willian lines up the free kick, I’m thinking please know, well he’s taking it, how’s he going to fuck this up – into the wall for sure…he didn’t let me down.
Under performing yeah thats good but let it look as if he gives a shit. That half arsed attempt at defending as soon as he came on. I mean what the fuck.
Don’t take it bad, but I’d rather give some kids playing time when we’re 3-0 up and cruising and not some player that won’t get any good or won’t progress. We had Pepe who really needs playing time and can develop, or maybe bring one kid from the academy to the bench in cases like this.
We’re stuck with Willian for 3 years, so we need to try sparking him into life.
In an ideal world we’d be bringing on Azeez instead for those 20 minutes, but that’s unlikely to happen
I think about the best we can get from him for the time being is like you said, on in the last 20 minutes of a game that’s in the bag to give weary legs a rest.
Christ it fucking irks me that we have him a three year contract.
The classic Willian ‘dribble backwards towards Leno and then lose the ball’ move always gets me
I’m waiting for the Kia Joorabchian interview gaslighting everyone that we are deceived and Willian has in fact been a sensation at Arsenal according to some obscure overlooked statistic. Number of dribbles (direction not specified) by a player whose name begins with W, for example.
I hope in that same interview that Kia gets slapped with a wet fish. In fact Kia needs to be slapped with a wet fish several times a day every day wherever he goes.
How the guy is still getting on the pitch – even from the bench – is beyond me.
And we’ve got two and a half years more of this. People who moaned about Ozil can fill their boots.
I’d rather Willock had come on too. But it’s a bit mad playing Willian in the middle or on the left. He’s a classical right winger ffs.
Auba’s back!
Auba – Ready
Pepe – Unlock
Willian – Unlock
Xhaka was ridiculously good again tonight. I paid close attention after what Blogs was saying after palace, and he really is in insane form at the moment. Commanding, spraying the passes, solid defending but also positive attacking play. Alongside Partey he’s only going to be better going forward
Agree insane form right now but still an average player, his lack of pace is obvious. Aubas first goal would never have happened if it would have been xhaka instead of Thomas, Thomas reminds me of how a proper midfielder look, mobility, pace, passing etc.
Let it go, man. The needless hatred for Xhaka, I mean.
The guy is playing well. You can let the compliment be without the dampener.
Everyone here knows Xhaka can frustrate; but he is playing well at the moment.
He deserves all the accolades he gets.
I like Xhaka and he has done well over the last weeks, but i do think that it was evident yesterday that Partey’s is one or two levels above our other central midfielders. Especially the first but also the second goal was based on him moving the ball forward with real pace and quality. The pace and precision in his passing makes a huge difference when trying to unlock defences and puts our wingers and attackers in much better positions when receiving the ball. I think our game could really go up another level if Partey has a partner who… Read more »
His lack of pace was definitely negated, or at least minimized, by the amount of ground Partey covered with ease, and Smith-Rowe’s work tracking back and defending with some nice tenacity.
Be careful. I get slated every time I praise Xhaka. He’s been excellent for several weeks an I’m pleased to see some fans actually noticing it
I think you can praise his recent form and performances (much better) but also look at his whole career at Arsenal, his limitations, disciplinary issues and think out of all the midfielders out there, we might be able to do better. If his form kept up all season and Partey mitigates his limitations that argument might be dropped.
He has had a very good run of games, but Luiz and xhaka in the team slow the game down. I would like to see Luiz on the bench and replace xhaka with on of the other young very fast fellow. Partey can play the long passes that xhaka plays, but more speed in the midfield.
Speed kills.
Against Crystal Palace I disagreed with general consensus that Xhaka had a ‘good’ game. Today though I thought he was so much better at both progressing the ball quickly and driving forward better. Perhaps it came from the confidence of having Partey next to him. But regardless, credit where credit is due today.
He’s either great or disastrous, I just wish he was more consistent in his play.
I guess the question then is keep or sell before next season. Some decent form, assuming it continues, might make it easier to move him on.
If he has a decent/good 2nd half of the season, for me the summer would be the best moment to move him on. Age- and contract wise that should be the last moment we can cash in and I do think we could upgrade on that position (as Xhaka is good but not great in my opinion, and a big reason for the slow pace of our game).
But i feel like Arteta and the rest of the squad really value him, so he might stay
Shame Auba didn’t get his hat trick, good result but Newcastle are poor.
Our good players play good.
A very good, professional performance. ESR MOTM. Nice clean sheet, too. We’re moving in the right direction.
Arteta out!
Was that a joke? Can never tell when it’s you 🙂 If you do think we’re moving in the right direction then isn’t it counterintuitive to want Arteta out? Or was that the joke?
When did you have the sense of humour bypass operation?
I’m with Merlin. When someone has a track record of saying outrageous things, it’s easy to miss his irony.
Yesterday… very painful.
Fatgooner: overweight due to a diet of having to eat his own words. Give Arteta time. Ferguson and Klopp were given a few years to underwhelm before starting to deliver trophies.
😂😂Fatso, you shocked me with all that unchatacteristic lyrics about our performance, but thankfully reverted back to our good old Fatso with the one liner on Arteta, nice one pal😁
Sarcasm, people. Everybody chill.
It’s irony.
Ha!
He’s back, Sky gave him man of match but I think ESR deserved it he was brilliant’ Fantastic goal by Saka, Auba’s first was pure Auba and well done Cedric for his 2nd. Granit was great too.
Good performance from Cedric. Hopefully means Hector can watch the next few games from the bench and realise that he isn’t untouchable
Happy with that, lots of encouraging signs! Keep working boys, we’ve got some big ones coming up
Can’t believe Smith Rowe didn’t get MOTM on sky! Yes great Auba scored twice and looked a lot better but Smith Rowe was just brilliant!
So THAT’S why the fuckers bought Cedric.
Winning feels good. More please 🙂
A shout for Cedric, that’s how you take your chance! Love Heccy B, but Cesric gets a run. Also, OK as he was today, I’m counting down til I don’t have to watch drag the game down to his pace.
A nickname for Cedric already 😂
Emile smith Rowe, Saka and Tierney breathe such life into the team. Add Gabriel Partey Leno and Martinelli. There’s the basis of a young hungry motivated team that we can be proud of with a home grown young manager. Have faith we’ll get there eventually. COYG
Laca quality again too. Good link ups when he’s higher up the pitch.
So good to see Auba score a couple. Hopefully this will kickstart a goal scoring run for him. Thought Cedric looked good today. Maybe worth using him more from time to time.
Hooray, a win! Give Smith Rowe the #10
Emily Smith Rowe is a baller; our own Kevin De Bruyne, sign him up on a 5year contract and pay him £250k period. Saka our C. Ronaldo sign them up.
I am happy you are keeping a sense of perspective.
Let’s not forget Partey’s essential hard work, pace and control in the midfield!! *_*
He’s a world class midfielder. Something we haven’t been able to say about a CM in our team since Cesc left – maybe Santi – he was borderline world class. Partey is legit.
Amen. I’d say he is a complete midfielder that resembles a lot to Patrick. His physical features and technical skills allow him to cover the whole pitch, from doing the nasty job to delivering a fine pass in the final third. Definitely not expecting a lot of goals and assist from him, but anticipating a lot of key passes and key-interceptions prior to deadly counter-attacks
Think there’s been a lot of revisionism about Santi since he got injured/left. He was a top player, make no mistake, but the “World Class” label doesn’t sit right with me. He got dominated fairly regularly by all kinds of physically imposing midfielders, most memorably (in my opinion) Kongdogbia at Monaco, and his pairing with Coquelin was an imperfect match that covered each others flaws rather than being a truly synergetic pairing. I love Santi and he was an absolute magician at times, but from what I’ve seen so far I’d rather have Partey at CM.
Maybe Santi??? Cmon (the man was ace for us) 🤔🤨
Yeah he was amazing for us, but world class is reserved for only the best players in each position. He was brilliant, but I will stick with my borderline world class. That isn’t a shot at Santi in anyway, in fact it is a massive complement.
He made it look easy out there. What a difference-maker! He’s the type of player who makes everyone around him look and play better.
Great to see things click into gear today. Credit to Cedric who had a good game. Fantastic to see Auba on the scoresheet again too. He looked happy today and took that first goal with a lot of purpose and confidence. Partey in midfield is such a presence and it was interesting to see the goals coming from various scenarios this time.
Really pleased with that and maybe for an added Brucey bonus the overinflated balloon man will be sacked.
A poor Newcastle, but a solid performance of our boys. We’ve a lot of talents in the squad now and Partey will only be better, a good performance of him too. Cedric surprised me a lot positively. I understand why Arteta will play Willian,trying to convince himself that he is a good player , but he’s not. Need an understudy to Tierney and more pace in midfield , then we should be top 4 next season
Routine win. Arteta has come through this easy fixture spell very well. But now the real test begins. Next 4 in the league; Southampton (a), Man Utd (h), Wolves (a), Villa (a).
Nice id, haha
Cedric was very good tonight. The kind of backup we need for both full back positions. Someone to come on and give the incumbent some competition and the manager something to think about.
Partey was actually my MOTM. Absolutely bosses the midfield. Always ran into openings, which unlocked our front 4 & fullbacks. Sprayed a few gorgeous passes and generally operated as the heartbeat of this team. Was amazing watching such a talented, intelligent and strong midfielder fit perfectly into his Arsenal jersey. Class 👌🏾
That jinking run by ESR was just a thing of beauty… Sakas movement throughout was insane.. I’m salivating. We unlocked the block. That’s 5 wins and 1 draw in the latest 6 matches… COYG. Lets smash United too.
I mean, they were all counter-attacking goals…
Omg, that jinking run by ESR (crazy insane) 🥴😋
What can I say?, second half was a glimpse of my beloved Arsenal back… hand brake off, flash football, sharp movements, moving the ball quickly, playing forward, Newcastle had no chance, as they should be, playing the great Arsenal. My only prayer is this will be the norm rather than a flash in the pan Special shout out to our very own babies, Saka and ESR, pure class!
Auba and Laca joked on instagram that they both wanted the #10 shirt next season (can’t change mid season).
But hopefully it goes straight to Smith-Rowe
Chalk that win to Ozil being gone – just kidding!!! Couldn’t resist!!
ESR10?
Imagine Saka, ESR, Tierney and Martinelli after playing a few years together.
Excited!
I think Partey is going to transform this team. He is world class and does anything he wants out on the pitch. He plays so quickly, with such finesse. He plays the ball immediately and exactly where players need it and at the right pace. No one else in our midfield is even close. His close control under pressure, his instincts. He has that ability to push through the lines and rarely slow down the game with needless back passing and dribbling. He tracks and defends with endless pace and energy too and perfect positional sense. I think he transforms… Read more »
Yeah I already feel anticipation and security when the ball goes to him. Was just willing him to get it!
Partey really is world class.
Genuinely blows my mind that we managed to land him. If either City or Liverpool had signed him they’d win the league comfortable. He could replace the brilliant Fernandinho far better than Rodri, or he’d have meant Fabinho could move into the back 4 without missing a step in midfield for Liverpool. I’m delighted that we finally have a world class central midfielder
His play reminded me of Vieira. Box to box control and intent.
Additionally, Saka is reminding me of Rocky with the same attacking close control from the right wing.
These two, plus ESR, Holding and Auba are the spine of the team. Their names should be the first on the team sheet from now on.
*plus Tierney.
Lovely
The entire team played really well. Not one bad performance from any of the boys. Kudos men!!!
A potential new assist king declares his intent on the day the old one leaves.
This new one seems to be an upgrade on the old one, especially on defensive duties and speed of movement.
Give Emile Smith Rowe the No. 10 Jersey next season, no matter who else we sign.
Well, that was much better.
We were patient and eventually wore Newcastle down. Some great play from ESR, his first time balls are the perfect antidote to our hitherto all too slow build up play.
Saka impressed yet again and took his goal well and really pleased for Auba to be getting back amongst the goals again. Hopefully he can push on now and rediscover the form we all know so well.
Some tough games coming up, but we should now approaching them in a much more confident frame of mind.
Well done lads, keep it up.
Great second half performance. Partey Saka and Smith Rowe were class
Love this quote from ESR “Growing up i have always tried to play one touch. If i know what i want to do before the ball arrives, why not play one touch ?”
Love him already
Watch the FA fine us for our “no contact” goal celebrations. 🤔
The team tonight played well. As discussed many times, xhaka and Luiz slow down the team. Someone recently described Luiz as indulgent. excellent description Ease those two out of the starters and I think Arsenal will start to play even better. We will still struggle against the top three or four until midfield is stronger, but the speed will cut most others up. That Partey is for real. Rob Holding…no he cant play…hah…hardly a step wrong the last five games. I am putting in the papers to adopt ESR and Saka….how do they play so intelligentially at such a young… Read more »
Good win. Patient through first half, nothing stupid. Auba was getting into good positions but missing composure. …granted Newcastle looked toothless, they were still hard to breakdown. Second half opened up with bruce insisting on playing the 4-4-2 stretching his team. they started to tire and on the break first with a good ball by Partey out to Auba, PEA finally found his mojo. Like a release. Then another break again from the right, thought we were too slow but they were obviously tired and ESR did a good job engaing then finding Saka for a good finish. …the third… Read more »
Interesting what ESR was saying after the game about the group really coming together. Perhaps to do with the youth and Brazilian cohort plus other players being phased out. Hopefully a crop is emerging that Arteta can really get momentum with. Credit to Arteta for turning things round. He has been rewarded for turning to youth and it’s nice to feel excited about things again.