The Gunners moved two points clear at the top of the table on Saturday afternoon with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates, however, the pessimist in any supporter will tell the story that Arsenal can’t continue to play like they have over the Christmas period with trips to Liverpool, Stoke and Spurs around the corner.
They appeared to be nursing a heavy NYE hangover and looked devout of ideas against a very poor Newcastle side who found themselves in the drop zone at the turn of the year. Despite a bright first few minutes, the Gunners, who went into the game joint top, looked lethargic throughout with 69 incomplete or missed passes and only three shots on target.
The home team’s fine start was down to Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finding space down the right-hand side a number of times in the first five minutes, but once the Magpies addressed the frailties on that side of the pitch, the Gunners looked lost at what route to take into the final third.
A lazy pace developed in Arsenal’s game and every backwards pass and loss of possession was greeted with a collective sigh of 59,000 people, the other 1000 in black and white stripes. It was clear that Newcastle were happy to sit back and soak the pressure up for a draw and when the half- time whistle sounded, they will have gone into the dressing room the far happier team, limiting the home side to a total of zero shots on target.
With the rain continuing to lash down around the Emirates, the weather continued to mirror the home team’s performance as Newcastle emerged for the second period and started the much better side. Aleksandar Mitrovic found space in the 6-yard box twice early on, before Petr Cech came to Arsenal’s rescue once again, closing down and smartly blocking a shot from Georginio Wijnaldum, when it looked certain the Dutchman would put the visitors ahead.
As the clock ticked on, the frustration grew around the Emirates and finally when Olivier Giroud’s tenacity in the box led to Laurent Koscielny being able to poke home from three yards out, the celebrations were made up of sighs of relief as much as cheers of jubilation.
Arsene Wenger made his usual ‘close-the-game-out’ subs, bringing Calum Chambers and Kieran Gibbs on for Giroud and Theo Walcott respectively. And but for Aaron Ramsey’s horrendous choice to shoot wide when it seemed obvious to everyone in the ground, but him, that a square pass to either Joel Campbell or Bellerin would have resulted in a simple tap-in, the home fans could have relaxed slightly more for the last 10 minutes.
However, despite passing up the chance to increase their lead, the home team held on for what was a massive three points as they opened up a small gap on Leicester and kept space between themselves and their main title rivals as Manchester City managed to scramble a victory in the day’s late game.
Mesut Özil can be forgiven for an off-colour performance after his heroics of the last few weeks, but the lack of threat from Arsenal’s attack over the last two games has to concern Wenger, who will be desperately hoping for the return of their key man, Alexis Sanchez, in time for the Gunners tough away run. Oxlade-Chamberlain was incredibly poor once again and Campbell certainly staked a claim to regain his place in the starting XI, with an impressive, energetic cameo for the final 20 minutes or so.
Luckily for Arsenal, the visitors over the past week have been lackluster in front of goal and a certain, record-breaking, Petr Cech between the sticks has helped guide the north London side to six vital points over the last seven days. But the lack of ideas and poor finishing has to concern Wenger as Arsenal head into what could be a title-defining month. One thing, however, that will please the fans and the manager alike, was Arsenal’s ability to come away with three points even after an incredibly below par performance. Something certainly nobody would complain about could they do it at Anfield, the Britannia and White Hart Lane over the coming weeks.
