No Nerves Against Newcastle

Newcastle vs Arsenal has seen some of the most controversial games in recent Premier League memory. Penalties, goals, cards, off ball antics, the lot. Newcastle have enjoyed more success in these fixtures too, in recent times. The previous three fixtures at St James Park have seen Newcastle come out victorious, which includes an EFL Cup tie that actually saw the Geordie's beat the Gunners at the Emirates. While both sets of sides were missing players, Arsenal perhaps edged that particular struggle. The stage was set, Arsenal had a chance to capitalise on Liverpool's surprise defeat to Crystal Palace and close the gap to just two points.

Arsenal began the game quick and pegged Newcastle back. A couple of opportunities fell to Viktor Gyokeres, but he couldn't get enough contact to give Nick Pope any troubles. However, the Englishman was called upon to deliver a fantastic save to deny Eberechi Eze a goal after his half volley arrowed into the bottom corner. Pope got down very quickly a guided it beyond the post. However, the first element of controversy fell in the 14th minute when Pope clattered into Gyokeres as he dinked the ball to the side of him. Jared Gillet initially gave a penalty, but after a VAR recommendation, Gillet overturned his original decision arguing that Pope got a touch of the ball before contact. Mikel Arteta was visibly frustrated, but it didn't stop his team from creating further chances.

A flurry of chances came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. Riccardo Calafiori met a header that glanced just wide of the post, Leandro Trossard struck the post with venom from close range and Eze was denied by a wonderful save yet again. Newcastle did curate a couple of chances of their own with Malick Thiaw going close from a header and Anthony Gordon stinging David Raya's gloves. But, it would be Newcastle who broke the deadlock. Sandro Tonali received the ball from a short corner and whipped a ferocious cross into the box which Nick Woltemade expertly converted with his head. Against the run of the play, but Eddie Howe certainly won't care. Half time rolled around and Arsenal were left licking their wounds.

After half time, Cristhian Mosquera came off for William Saliba who was immediately called into action. The Frenchman actually misdjudged the ball into the box, but Woltemade somehow missed the target from very close range. Luckily, there was an offside in the process. Chances were at a premium in the second half, Joelinton fizzed a shot just wide of the post while Jurrien Timber flashed a header from close range that was brilliantly saved. Beyond that there was not much else of note, Gyokeres had a shot deflected wide and Jacob Murphy had a shot blocked by Declan Rice. Step up Mikel Merino to completely change the landscape of the game. A short corner arrived at Eze's feet who nudged it on to Martin Odegaard, he picked his head up and sent it back to Rice who originally stood over the corner. The Englishman whipped a ball into the box and Merino lept highest to glance a header into the far post which fortunately bobbled into the net. 1-1, 84 minutes on the clock. However, Newcastle had a controversial penalty chalked off almost immediately after Arsenal's equaliser. Anthony Elanga had the ball in the box and Gabriel came sliding in to deny a goalscoring opportunity. The ball smacked against the arm of the Brazilian, but was adjudged to be no penalty as the ball initially deflected off of Gabriel's shin. His arms were deemed to be in a natural position.

Arsenal retaliated with dominance, they didn't allow another peep out of Newcastle leading upto the eventual winner. The Gunners probed and prodded, but were eventually rewarded with a corner in the 96th minute. Odegaard lined it up and delivered a corner that arrived perfectly on the head of Gabriel. Nick Pope was left flapping and inadvertently left an open net. Newcastle chucked a hopeful ball into the Arsenal box right at the end, but didn't fall for them. Arsenal held out for a 2-1 win.

Arsenal probably played their best game so far this season given the occasion and difficulty. They created plenty from open play, which they're often criticised for, but ultimately grabbed two goals for set pieces, which they're also criticised for. Arsenal created 2.05 xG with 14 shots in total, 7 off target and 7 on. They also created four big chances within that. Newcastle, on the other hand, generated 0.61 xG. That included just four shots, with three on target and one off. There was only one big chance within that.

Player Ratings:

Raya - 7 - He could do very little about the goal as it was just a well taken header. But, he was strong in most other set piece situations especially having to deal with two giants in Dan Burn and Nick Woltemade.

Timber - 9 (MOTM) - A monumental performance from our right back. There was another contender, but I've given MOTM to Timber due to his incredible performance throughout the game. He completely locked up Gordon, but was a key figure in Arsenal's attacking play. Another reminder why he might be the best right back in the league right now.

Mosquera - 6 - St James Park is a cauldron, as much as Anfield is, but the Spaniard was far more assured at Anfield. He was fine defending and winning his duels, but looked a little shaky when playing out. Unfortunately he conceded the corner that resulted in Newcastle's goal, having misjudged a back pass.

Gabriel - 8 - He would've been my MOTM due to the sheer importance of his goal, but his defending for Woltemade's goal was appauling. He's tried too hard to look for contact in his back and went down, but if he stood strong then he could've easily prevented Woltemade from scoring. Newcastle goal aside, he was still strong in his play and marshalled his defence very well.

Calafiori - 7 - We saw more how well he's improved his defensive game in this one. I can't remember a time that Newcastle really generated anything from the right. Murphy was kept very quiet and that's thanks to Calafiori. The Italian wasn't such a marauding force going forward as he usually is, but kept his discipline so others could attack.

Zubimendi - 8 - My unsung hero. The way he can control the midfield is nothing short of spectacular. We don't even really need Rice to sit so deep with him as he can cover every blade of glass. He finds pockets in between the Newcastle press and actively looks to progress the ball at every opportunity he can get. Almost grabbed a sweet assist if it wasn't for Pope.

Rice - 9 - Two nine rated peformances as I can't give Rice anything less. I was slightly concerned with Rice, prior to this game, that he wasn't reaching the levels he did last season. But, this game showed me what kind of role he has now and how good he is at it. He's built with an engine on top of another engine. A tireless runner, but can also provide the quality to turn a game around. He did exactly that with his cross for Merino.

Eze - 8 - We've seen a couple of moments of what Eze can do in that attacking midfield role, but it's his first Premier League start in that territory. He's certainly going to give Odegaard a difficult route back into the team as he was superb. You feel like you have an extra man in attack and he caused problems for Pope all game. He was involved in everything good going forward and I'd really like to see him in that role going forward.

Saka - 7 - One of his more battling performances and did well against Burn. He's still returning from injury, but there was flashes of excellent play. Perhaps not fully up to speed yet, but always full of industry and effort.

Trossard - 6 - I'll say it again and again, Trossard isn't a starting player. He did have some good moments, but he should've buried the chance that smacked the post. Not assured in possession and struggled to impact the game from the left.

Gyokeres - 7 - The big Swede was left without a contribution to the game again, but you have to applaud the work he does up top. He was close to earning himself a penalty which he would've taken, but it was his link up play that earns him the rating. I liked how well he held the ball up and brought the likes of Saka, Eze and Trossard into play. He battled hard against Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman, but I think his biggest criticism is turning his hard work into goals.

Substitutes:

Saliba - 7 - Despite a shaky introduction after half time, he recovered himself and put in his normal shift. Strong against Woltemade and whoever else dared to attack in Arsenal's final third.

Merino - 8 - An eight for the goal alone. A fantastic option off the bench and really worked hard for his goal. A brilliant header that restored some faith amongst the Arsenal fandom.

Martinelli - 6 - Didn't come up with the goods this time around, but still did what he had to do.

Odegaard - 7 - If our captain was on for longer then I would've rated him higher, but his contribution in the 10-15 minutes he was on for cannot be understated. He provided a pre-assist for Merino's goal and an actual assist for Gabriel's. He kept Arsenal ticking over in attack and showed more of the Odegaard of old.

Lewis-Skelly - 6 - Perhaps a harsh review, but again he wasn't on for long, but on for long enough to contribute to the team. He had to deal with the threat of Elanga on the counter, but kept him quiet. Pushed forward when required to, but couldn't quite grab himself an almost certain assist due to Thiaw's brilliant tackle.

That's it for the player ratings section. As an Arsenal fan it's quite often the hope that kills you. A loss in this game would've been devastating mentally, but we were able to do the opposite which will give us that mental fortitude to carry through this season. Neutral fans as well as Newcastle fans will point to decisions that perhaps should've been looked at or given, but it went both ways. A penalty given at one end and not the other, despite the same rule effectively being exercised, would've been an injustice. Although one was for body on body and the other was handball, they both were not given due to the ball hitting a safe area first. Pope's toe and Gabriel's shin. But, what the online world is trying to do is distract from the fact that Newcastle were soundly beaten and that spells trouble for the rest of the league. You can almost guarantee that every season Arsenal will get beaten at St James Park, but also outplayed. This time around they won and played extremely well. It doesn't fit the narrative for rival fans, it doesn't suit the agenda. If you look at this game and just take out all the controversy, it was an Arsenal dominated game that Newcastle struggled in. Whichever way you slice it, Arsenal got what their football deserved and you can't take that away from them.

Next up for Arsenal is Olympiacos at home on Wednesday night (1st October). Then it's at home again for the West Ham game on Saturday 4th October. But, here's how I'd line up for the Olympiacos game.

We need to be smart with this one because we can't take anyone for granted. However, squad depth is a beauty of a thing and this means we can rotate and experiment with different styles and approaches. For example I'd love to see Rice/Zubimendi sit in that 6 role with Odegaard LCM and Eze in the RCM/AM role. We need to rotate to keep legs fresh so that's why Timber and Calafiori are out with White and Lewis-Skelly replacing them. Given the opponent and home advantage, hopefully we can see a more attacking approach rather than shackle someone like Rice to that defensive structure.

Anyways, great result and onto the next one!