Giroud Pushing To Be Top Scorer After Toon Brace

Match Review: Newcastle United 1 Arsenal 2 - Premier League 21.03.15

Supporting Arsenal provides a stern test of the heart. Having seemingly eased into a comfortable lead, we let Newcastle back in and at times it looked like we weren’t going to be able to preserve the win. After a testing week though, the players were likely running on empty and at this time of the season, all that matters is picking up points.

Özil missed the clash through illness, which meant Cazorla moved up into the number ten role and Ramsey came into midfield. Chambers and Gabriel also came into the team as Wenger rotated following energy sapping games against West Ham and Monaco. However, the majority of the team stayed the same. Newcastle themselves came into the game with an injury and suspension crisis, one which meant playing midfielders at full back and full backs at centre back. Arsenal fans will know their plight all too well!

The first half was all us, working the ball well and probing the makeshift Newcastle lineup. However, it was from a set-piece that we made the breakthrough. Cazorla’s free kick was met by Danny Welbeck, who flicked it on for Olivier Giroud to stick out a leg and divert it past Krul. Not the most aesthetically pleasing goal, but we've developed a habit of scoring in this manner at Newcastle and they will count the same.

Within three minutes, we doubled our lead and it was the same scorer from another set piece. Welbeck had missed a very good opportunity to score just moments before but Giroud showed him how to do it, using brute strength. Cazorla whipped the corner towards the edge of the six yard box and the Frenchman embarrassed Williamson, outmuscling him and planting his header into the far corner. He can’t stop scoring and is making a strong push to be our top scorer for the season.

However, the second half was a dramatically different affair. Newcastle came flying out of the blocks, whilst we started in a bit of a daydream. Unfortunately we have a tendency to start the second half very slowly and we were immediately punished. Two normally solid players were at fault, as Monreal and Coquelin both pressed the man in possession and failed to track the runner in behind them. Cabella took full advantage, cutting the ball back fro Sissoko to tuck home. I thought Ospina was slightly suspect too, committing his weight to his right and then watching as the ball went to his left. All in all, it was a crap goal to concede and put us under unnecessary pressure early in the half.

To be honest, I can’t say anything other than that we were dominated for the entirety of the rest of the match. Our passing went to pieces and as Newcastle applied more and more pressure, we started to look really tired. I’m not sure how we managed to keep them out really, but Ospina made up for any error in their goal by producing a string of important stops. One of them came in the dying minutes, and required him to stick out a leg at the last moment following a deflection.

Newcastle deserved a point for their performance, but at the same time, our players deserve huge credit for holding on in the way they did. A lot of our lads were dead on their feet after the Monaco game and to have one of our longest away trips afterwards can’t have been easy. There were some concerning moments in the game, but taking the points is all that matters. Having an International break might be a big benefit for us, with our players hopefully getting some time to rest up before the visit of Liverpool on April 4th. It’ll certainly allow Debuchy, Arteta and Wilshere to move closer to match fitness and possibly a place in the squad. For now we can enjoy the six point lead we’ve opened up between us and fifth place and hopefully look forward to making it nine.

Teams

Newcastle (4-2-3-1)
Krul, Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback, Sissoko, Anita (Gutierrez 72’), Cabella, Gouffran, Ameobi (Armstrong 89’), Perez
Subs
Elliot, Gutierrez, Obertan, Reviere, Armstrong, Satka, Kemen

Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Ospina, Chambers, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis (Flamini 71’), Cazorla (Rosicky 71’), Welbeck (Bellerin 89’), Giroud
Subs
Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott Gibbs

Player Ratings

Ospina - 7/10 - Made some important stops, but maybe a bit culpable for their goal
Chambers - 7/10 - Still not convinced about him at right back, but did a good job
Gabriel - 7/10 - Impressive again, seems comfortable with the physical side of the game
Koscielny - 7/10 - Made a risky challenge towards the end, but overall was good
Monreal - 7/10 - The mistake for the goal aside, he was fine
Coquelin - 7/10 - Would have been an eight if not for the mistake for their goal
Ramsey - 6/10 - Wasn't the calming influence we needed and gave the ball away a lot
Alexis - 7/10 - Just searching for that goal to ignite things, seems mentally tired
Cazorla - 8/10 - Looked knackered by the end, but helped create both goals
Welbeck - 6/10 - Another who just needs a couple of goals to boost his confidence
Giroud - 8/10 - Match winner, wonderfully taken goals and in top form
Subs
Flamini - 7/10 - Pretty solid alongside Coquelin at the end
Rosicky - 7/10 - Worked hard and helped provide an outlet
Bellerin - N/A

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