Matchweek 32 brought fans a Monday evening game as Newcastle United visited the Emirates Stadium in London.
Newcastle had not won at the Emirates since an Andy Carroll goal in 2010 separated the sides, whilst Rafa Benitez has also never won an away game at the Emirates either – so history was against the club. What followed was a stubborn, but flat, Newcastle performance where they struggled in possession and were beaten comfortably by a score of 2-0. Whilst the Magpies’ battles will come in future weeks against similarly placed sides, their flat performance tonight will leave Benitez with some food for thought over his team selection ahead of Crystal Palace on Saturday. See how the game unfolded below.
First Half
The first 10 minutes of the game was cagey, with both sides attempting to play forward and look for an opening. Newcastle were looking to use Rondon, with Almiron and Perez running in behind an Arsenal defence that has been known for it’s lapses in concentration. Arsenal were also looking to get in behind the Newcastle defence, with the majority of their attacking working coming from the left hand side. Neither team had been able to gain a foothold until the 12th minute. At this point, it was the longest stage before a shot on target in a Premier League game this season.
An Arsenal corner was swung in to the back post by Ozil, meeting an unchallenged Aaron Ramsey at the back post. The Arsenal midfielder, off to Juventus in the summer, striking past Dubravka and wheeling away in celebration. His celebrations, however were cut short as the referee had blown for a foul from Sokratis on Lejeune for pulling his shirt, leaving the Newcastle man on the floor. This was a big let off for Newcastle, but the first warning shot had been fired.
Newcastle responded well to this warning and made several attempts to break through the Arsenal defence with Almiron dancing his way past three Arsenal players before playing to Rondon, whose further pass was unable to meet Perez who was free on the right.
Arsenal at this point were dominating possession 71% to 29%, but Newcastle limited Arsenal to very little in front of goal. Arsenal were now becoming more confident in utilising this possession as they attempted to break down Newcastle. Newcastle’s discipline was showing, however with Hayden and Diame gave away free kicks in midfield, it continued to put Newcastle under pressure.
This pressure turned into a goal for Arsenal in the 29th minute. The ball was played through the centre by Guendouzi and flicked through to Lacazette who was through on goal. Lascelles gets a foot to it, but the ball rolls backward to an onrushing Ramsey – captain for Arsenal tonight – to fire a low shot through Lascelles’ legs, passed Dubravka and in off the post. 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates, who fully deserved their lead.
Newcastle won their first corner of the evening in the 30th minute thanks to some brutish hold up play by Rondon and a shot that was tipped past the post for the corner. The corner was headed out for another one by an Arsenal defender, with the second only meeting the head of a backpedaling Newcastle player, which spun up into the air and into the hands of Leno. Newcastle were pressing, but seeing precious little in the final third.
Newcastle were really struggling toward the end of the first half, with last minute defending keeping the score down. Multiple shots are blocked from Ramsey, Lacazette and Ozil before an offside flag comes to Newcastle’s defence.
Arsenal began to play some fantastic attacking football during the latter stages of the half, as Newcastle really struggled to cope with their pace and movement. In what was an encouraging start to the game by Newcastle, Arsenal dominated the ball from start to finish in the first 45 minutes. Newcastle could count themselves lucky that Ramsey was denied a goal due to a foul in the box and when he struck his goal for Arsenal to lead, Newcastle could have few complaints. Matt Ritchie was on hand with a spectacular goal line clearance – that has to be seen to be believed – from a Lacazette shot as the first half drew to a close to keep the score to 1-0.
Newcastle showed some bright sparks in the final third through Rondon and Almiron, but for the best part of the game it was flat, as Newcastle spent the half on the back foot. A massive improvement was needed coming into the second half.
Second Half
The second half began in the same way the first half finished with Arsenal thoroughly on top and dominating proceedings.
Arsenal continued their fluid attacking display, with Ozil really creating problems whenever he was on the ball. Newcastle have been resolute in their defending, but Arsenal were finding far too much space with players running in behind. On 55 minutes, Ozil once again breached the Newcastle backline to whip a cross over the head of Dubravka, with Matt Ritchie on and again with a header where an Arsenal player in that position would have been left with a simple tap in.
Newcastle were greeted with a free kick on the 59th minute, that resulted in a yellow card for Nacho Monreal. The Arsenal defending headed into the book for a studs up challenge. With Newcastle’s free kick not coming to anything, Arsenal made their first substitution of the evening with top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang entering the field.
Arsenal were soon left furious as Lacazette got the better of Paul Dummett while running through onto a pass. As both players chased and reached the byline, Dummett was able to slide tackle the ball out for a corner. Lacazette, an other Arsenal players were adamant that the Newcastle defender had used his arm while sliding the ball out of play, but the referree waved away their appeals.
Rafa brought Ki Sung-Yeung into the game in the 66th minute, replacing Isaac Hayden, who in truth, had struggled throughout this game to stop Arsenal’s midfielders running in behind and exploiting space. Newcastle had also struggled to impose themselves, with accurate passing being the main culprit, going forward.
Dubravka, arguably Newcastle’s best player at this stage, was on hand once again to keep the score to 1-0. Ki played Diame into trouble in midfield with Arsenal stealing the ball and breaking. A fantastic through ball into Aubameyang was then struck fiercely by the Arsenal forward with Dubravka parrying the ball to allow Dummett to clear.
Rafa rolled the dice twice in a few minutes with Kenedy and Yoshinori Muto entering the fray. Newcastle’s new energy on the ball saw a brief period of probing the Arsenal defence, but with little success. Ki struck a shot high and wide in this five minute period and was the only highlight as Newcastle failed to test Leno in the Arsenal goal.
In the 81st minute, however, Arsenal got the second goal they arguably deserved. A fantastic ball was played and headed on by Aubameyang which dropped over the Newcastle defence. Lacazette, energetic all night, was on hand having shaken off Jamaal Lascelles to play a deft lobbed shot over Dubravka who was unable to get off his line quickly enough.
Arsenal, for the last 10 minutes, continued to pressure Newcastle. A corner into the 6 yard box was whipped onto the head of Lacazette, who had got ahead of Dubravka, which bounced over the line. The referee had spotted a foul by Lacazette on Dubravka and ruled another possible Arsenal goal out.
Arsenal saw the game out for a comfortable win where Newcastle never really threatened. It will be worrying for Rafa Benitez that, despite some good defensive work to keep the scoreline at 2-0, their defensive line was breached far too many times. Newcastle were guilty of throwing away possession more often than not – only 64% of their passes actually hitting their mark. Although most neutrals will see this game as a ‘free hit’ with more important games ahead against similarly placed teams, Newcastle’s flat performance will concern Benitez.
Overall, it was a game to forget for the magpies, but they will regroup ahead of their hoe game against Crystal Palace on Saturday where a win might just move them within touch of Premier League safety.