The win at Monaco was Arsenal's 13th in the last 15 games. A title challenge might be too much to ask for this late in the season, but a top 4 place seemed certain given Arsenal's form and fixtures.
Olivier Giroud was in a rich vein of form heading into this game. Newcastle hate playing against him. He has an excellent record against them. He had scored 6 times in his last 5 appearances against them, including a brace earlier this season. A win would see Arsenal close the gap on Chelsea to just 4 points.
Ospina started in goal with Bellerin at RB and Nacho at LB. Gabriel replaced Mertesacker to start his 3rd Premier League game of the season. Koscielny partnered him. Coquelin continued as the ever impressive anchorman. Ramsey replaced the ill Ozil as Cazorla got a chance to play at # 10.
Sanchez continued at the right flank despite calls for him to be rested. Welbeck was picked ahead of Walcott and Giroud continued as the lone frontman.
Arsenal have a good recent record at Newcastle. Wenger’s side had not lost in their previous eight visits to St James’ Park - but did horrendously concede four times in the last 25 minutes when drawing 4-4 in 2011 in a game that saw forgotten man Diaby sent off. Since then though, the Gunners had kept clean sheets here on each of their next three visits.
1ST HALF
Arsenal had the first real chance of the half. Cazorla played Sanchez in through a free kick and his toe poke was diverted away from goal by Williamson.
Ramsey scuffed a shot wide and that would be his story for the rest of the game. Arsenal took the lead 2 minutes later however.
Cazorla with a freekick found Welbeck, whose attempt at goal was diverted by Giroud with his thigh. 7 in 6 against the Magpies who just love French people!
The goal should have lifted the vastly underperforming Magpies. But they continued to struggle. Alexis and Welbeck causing a lot of concerns for the Newcastle defence. Alexis in particular was tormenting Colback who was playing as a make shift LB.
Arsenal doubled the lead in the 28th minute. That man Giroud dominating Williamson physically before heading brilliantly from a Cazorla corner. 2-0 Arsenal and it seemed like it would only get worse for Newcastle.
Arsenal continued to dominate the remainder of the game and if any side looked like scoring it was Arsenal who could have gone many more goals ahead.
SECOND HALF
Newcastle started brightly and after some neat link up between Taylor and Cabella, Cabella found Sissoko who finished brilliantly.
Suddenly all of Arsenal's domination seemed to be of no use and the feelings were there of the 2011 game. Only this time Newcastle just needed 2 goals, they already had one now.
Suddenly the Newcastle fans who spent most of the first half booing their players were full of confidence. That resulted in a change in the players as well. With Ayoze Perez having a curling effort that just missed the top corner.
The Arsenal team seemed in shambles all of a sudden. Ospina had to make a good save to deny Sissoko from a corner.
Welbeck then used his pace well to hit on the counter attack, beating 3 defenders before Krul denied him a goal with a decent save.
Newcastle had one late chance with Perez's deflected attempt saved well by Ospina. 3 points in the bag for the Gunners who host Liverpool after the International break.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (8): Made 2 great saves to get us the 3 points.
21: Calum Chambers (6): Looked suspect defensively yet again. The stats suggest otherwise, but scary for us as fans to watch him at RB.
6: Laurent Koscielny (7.5): Another good game for the Frenchman who was intelligent enough to make numerous interceptions and tackles.
5: Gabriel (7.5): Looked to cut off attacks with his pace. Made 7 interceptions. Looks a great partnership to have.
18: Nacho Monreal (7): Another solid performance by the Spaniard who has been probably our most consistent player this season.
34: Francis Coquelin (7.5): Was stunning in the first half dominating the Newcastle midfield.
16: Aaron Ramsey (6): Gave the ball away on too many occasions and it was frustrating to watch him play.
17: Alexis Sanchez (6.5): Not a great performance. Had a decent first half but nowhere near the Sanchez of the first half of the season.
23: Danny Welbeck (6): Everybody's complaining about his lack of goals. Especially given how successful Sanchez has been. However you cannot fault his endeavor. Goals will come.
19: Santi Cazorla (6): Got an assist but was invisible for most part of the game.
12: Olivier Giroud (8.5): 2 goals and some brilliant hold up play as usual. Quietly becoming the best player in the team.
SUBSTITUTES:
7: Tomas Rosicky (6.5): Did his best to lift the spirits of the team with another energetic cameo.
20: Mathieu Flamini (5.5): Scary watching him play.
39: Hector Bellerin (N/A): Came to shore up the defence and almost created a chance for Giroud.
HIGHLIGHTS
Olivier Giroud was in a rich vein of form heading into this game. Newcastle hate playing against him. He has an excellent record against them. He had scored 6 times in his last 5 appearances against them, including a brace earlier this season. A win would see Arsenal close the gap on Chelsea to just 4 points.
Ospina started in goal with Bellerin at RB and Nacho at LB. Gabriel replaced Mertesacker to start his 3rd Premier League game of the season. Koscielny partnered him. Coquelin continued as the ever impressive anchorman. Ramsey replaced the ill Ozil as Cazorla got a chance to play at # 10.
Sanchez continued at the right flank despite calls for him to be rested. Welbeck was picked ahead of Walcott and Giroud continued as the lone frontman.
Arsenal have a good recent record at Newcastle. Wenger’s side had not lost in their previous eight visits to St James’ Park - but did horrendously concede four times in the last 25 minutes when drawing 4-4 in 2011 in a game that saw forgotten man Diaby sent off. Since then though, the Gunners had kept clean sheets here on each of their next three visits.
1ST HALF
Arsenal had the first real chance of the half. Cazorla played Sanchez in through a free kick and his toe poke was diverted away from goal by Williamson.
Ramsey scuffed a shot wide and that would be his story for the rest of the game. Arsenal took the lead 2 minutes later however.
Cazorla with a freekick found Welbeck, whose attempt at goal was diverted by Giroud with his thigh. 7 in 6 against the Magpies who just love French people!
The goal should have lifted the vastly underperforming Magpies. But they continued to struggle. Alexis and Welbeck causing a lot of concerns for the Newcastle defence. Alexis in particular was tormenting Colback who was playing as a make shift LB.
Arsenal doubled the lead in the 28th minute. That man Giroud dominating Williamson physically before heading brilliantly from a Cazorla corner. 2-0 Arsenal and it seemed like it would only get worse for Newcastle.
Arsenal continued to dominate the remainder of the game and if any side looked like scoring it was Arsenal who could have gone many more goals ahead.
SECOND HALF
Newcastle started brightly and after some neat link up between Taylor and Cabella, Cabella found Sissoko who finished brilliantly.
Suddenly all of Arsenal's domination seemed to be of no use and the feelings were there of the 2011 game. Only this time Newcastle just needed 2 goals, they already had one now.
Suddenly the Newcastle fans who spent most of the first half booing their players were full of confidence. That resulted in a change in the players as well. With Ayoze Perez having a curling effort that just missed the top corner.
The Arsenal team seemed in shambles all of a sudden. Ospina had to make a good save to deny Sissoko from a corner.
Welbeck then used his pace well to hit on the counter attack, beating 3 defenders before Krul denied him a goal with a decent save.
Newcastle had one late chance with Perez's deflected attempt saved well by Ospina. 3 points in the bag for the Gunners who host Liverpool after the International break.
PLAYER RATINGS
13: David Ospina (8): Made 2 great saves to get us the 3 points.
21: Calum Chambers (6): Looked suspect defensively yet again. The stats suggest otherwise, but scary for us as fans to watch him at RB.
6: Laurent Koscielny (7.5): Another good game for the Frenchman who was intelligent enough to make numerous interceptions and tackles.
5: Gabriel (7.5): Looked to cut off attacks with his pace. Made 7 interceptions. Looks a great partnership to have.
18: Nacho Monreal (7): Another solid performance by the Spaniard who has been probably our most consistent player this season.
34: Francis Coquelin (7.5): Was stunning in the first half dominating the Newcastle midfield.
16: Aaron Ramsey (6): Gave the ball away on too many occasions and it was frustrating to watch him play.
17: Alexis Sanchez (6.5): Not a great performance. Had a decent first half but nowhere near the Sanchez of the first half of the season.
23: Danny Welbeck (6): Everybody's complaining about his lack of goals. Especially given how successful Sanchez has been. However you cannot fault his endeavor. Goals will come.
19: Santi Cazorla (6): Got an assist but was invisible for most part of the game.
12: Olivier Giroud (8.5): 2 goals and some brilliant hold up play as usual. Quietly becoming the best player in the team.
SUBSTITUTES:
7: Tomas Rosicky (6.5): Did his best to lift the spirits of the team with another energetic cameo.
20: Mathieu Flamini (5.5): Scary watching him play.
39: Hector Bellerin (N/A): Came to shore up the defence and almost created a chance for Giroud.
HIGHLIGHTS