Saturday Night’s Alright For Striking (Goals v Newcastle)

 

Arsenal 4 Newcastle 1    
Premier League  
Saturday 24th February 2024  8pm    

Arsenal had unfinished business with Newcastle after their controversial defeat at St James’s park earlier in the season, and didn’t waste time in addressing that injustice in a totally dominant first half which really should have delivered even more than the pair of goals that they did score.

 

Arsenal have become the corner kings – not only in scoring from them, but winning them in the first place. In this game they won nine to Newcastle’s none. They opened their account when a Saka corner was met by Gabriel and throught a combination of contact with desperate defendeds crossed the line. The referee signalled the goal, awarded as an own goal and the Emirates erupted. It was an engaged and vocal crowd for this game, and they had plenty to shout about with the quality of the football their team were creating. Kai Havertz doubled the lead with the simplest of tap-ins after Martinelli had done the hard work to tee him up. Even though Newcastle were trying to get forward, even two up they were penned into their own half until the refereed blew for the interval. 

 

Jorginho started the game with Rice pushed to the left and was key in knitting together his team’s control of the first half. There is an argument to continue playing him and if Arsenal continue to keep pace with the two sides around them in the table, his experience could provide a significant boost to the side’s chances of delivering a first title in 20 years.

 

Eddie Howe sent his team out with a different attitude after the break and they displayed greater determination to pressure Arsenal. It was understandable that there was an element of drop off amongst the Gunners after the midweek trip to Porto, but they still created danger at the other end and doubled their lead before a trio of substitutions to give three of the attacking players a break. Martinelli had already been replaced previously by Trossard. 

 

For Arsenal’s third, Saka was given the opportunity to cut inside and fire a shot into the far corner of the net, and it was another corner – this time taken by Rice and knocked in off Kiwior’s head that made it four. The game was definitely done with, no chance of the freak comeback from 2011, but concentration levels dropped to allow ex-Gunner Joe Willock to get a free header in the area and give the traveling support a goal to cheer about before the long trek home. 

 

The performance of Arteta’s team was a huge contrast to the defeat three days earlier, but it pointed to the fact that Newcastle, in spite of being willing to nullify games, are some way short of the likes of Porto’s ability in this area. That might be why they finished fourth in their Champions League group whilst the Portuguese side qualified from theirs. The hope is that Arsenal are able to create as much danger in the second leg of their Champions League tie.

 

Havertz was played up front, replacing Trossard to make room for Jorginho, and had an effective game at centre forward, even if he could have scored more than the single goal he did. Given that height was the one area that Arsenal seemed to trouble Porto with, it may be an idea to start him in the middle of the attack for the second leg, although by that time, the return to fitness of Jesus will present Arteta with more options. Encouragingly the absence of the Brazilian has not been detrimental to the goalscoring abilities of his fitter colleagues. 25 goals in six league matches since the defeat at Fulham included four games in which Jesus has not featured. 

 

Last season injuries put paid to Arsenal’s title ambitions at the business end of the campaign, and there are certain players that have to stay fit if they are to remain in the mix. The centre backs, Declan Rice, Odegaard and Saka all feel like key contributors who cannot easily be replaced. Whether or not Arteta feels able to give any of them a break is one for debate, given how close the top of the Premier League has become. He’s certainly not going to hold anything back in the Champions League. 

 

One thing that has to be said – some of Arsenal’s football of late has been as good as seasons way back when they were winning titles. The game has become faster and even more technical than it was in the days of Henry, Bergkamp, Vieira and Pires, so the fluidity of movement those players achieved is not so easily replicated. However, at times, we are seeing it, testament to the fitness and technique instilled into Arteta’s players. 

 

You could see the Gunners getting over the line and finishing top, but equally you could say the same about both Manchester City and Liverpool. Perhaps one thing to remember is that this side is probably a couple of years away from their peak. If they can remain together and be bolstered by the right additions, we might just be entering another golden era for the club. Recent displays in the Premier League give belief. Let’s hope by the season’s conclusion that faith sees the delivery of a trophy, but even if it doesn’t, you really feel that glory days are just around the corner.

 

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