Arsenal bounce back after humiliating defeat at Anfield
By Daniel Barratt
Arsenal cruised to victory after formidable second half display as the Gunners come out on top with a comfortable 2-0 win against Newcastle. The match saw youngsters Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli steal the show firing Arsenal back to winning ways after last week’s humiliation at Anfield seeing Arsenal slump to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
The victory meant that Arsenal would move level on points with West Ham United, as Mikel Arteta’s side continue the fight back in their quest for a place in the top 4, after beginning the season with 3 consecutive defeats.
"Emirates Stadium - The Concrete Arsenal" by fakelvis is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Howe, who was taking charge of his first ever Newcastle game after missing the previous fixture against Brentford with COVID 19 fielded a resolute Newcastle side, constructed to contain Arsenal pressure and to hit Arsenal on the counterattack.
It appeared to be working for Eddie Howe’s side, minimalizing the Arsenal attack to any chances of note.
After 16 minutes of play, Arsenal had their first chance of the game. New summer signing Sambi Lokonga switched the ball from deep in behind the Newcastle defence with Bukayo Saka attempting to latch onto the pass at the back post with Saka only marginally missing the target after a lunged effort on goal.
Minutes later come Arsenal next big chance of the game as pressure was beginning to mount on Howe’s Newcastle side. Martin Odegaard struck a left footed free kick over the Newcastle wall, forcing keeper Martin Dubravka into a fine safe to his top right.
After soaking up the Arsenal pressure, 30 minutes into the match, Newcastle had their first chance of the game. Having won the ball back, Newcastle countered up the right-hand side of the pitch through forward Callum Wilson. He played the ball to Ryan Fraser who was making an overlapping run beyond Wilson, before whipping the ball into the feet of Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey who cleared the ball to the feet of Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey who struck the ball towards Aaron Ramsdale’s top left forcing the keeper into another showreel save.
41 minutes gone, Arsenal had their biggest chance of the game, it was a certainty right Alan Smith?
Saka burst down the left side beating Newcastle defender Lascelles before lofting a cross to the head of fellow Hale End graduate Emile Smith-Rowe 6-yards out, demanding keeper Martin Dubravka into an extraordinary save to keep Newcastle in the game. The ball then landed to Arsenal talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who struck the ball against the post a few yards from goal.
On Sky Sports commentary, Alan Smith said “What. A. Miss. Aubameyang missed a penalty on his last visit to the Emirates, but this was a certainty! Unbelievable!”
As the second half begun, Arsenal come out with real intent. Not long after came the first goal of the game 51 minutes gone. After a great passage of possession for the Gunners the ball was picked up by left back Nuno Tavares, who formed a triangle of link up with teammates Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka. Nuno Tavares played the ball wide to Emile Smith-Rowe who then played the ball to the feet of Bukayo Saka who was making a beyond him. Emile Smith-Rowe then moved inside to receive the ball back from Bukayo Saka before playing the ball to the feet of Nuno Tavares.
With great vison, Nuno Tavares broke the hearts of a resolute Newcastle defence playing the ball through to Bukayo Saka who lashed home a shot into the bottom corner.
Minutes later, the game was won for Arsenal. 93 seconds after coming on as a substitute, forward Gabriel Martinelli made it two with an outrageous side foot volley into the far corner after latching onto a ball from Takehiro Tomiyasu.
He’s had to wait for his chance, but it was worth the wait.
On the 2nd December, Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United as they hope to continue their fight for a UEFA Champions league spot.