Like the old saying, it ain’t over to the fat lady sings; the Magpies trying to grind us down or bore us to death, for the Arsenal was a tad too slow for their liking, with Tim Krul having a cup of tea between his kicks never deterred the Arsenal.
A sublime finish from RVP again, after a shock with us going down 1 nil again for the 4th time in a row, and now a new Premiership record for a team to go behind and come back and win. The Thomas Verminator as he is fondly known by his team mates runs the length of the pitch to score a fabulous goal. A truly gritty never say die attitude once again by the Arsenal. To all the YIDS out there we’re right behind you and a thoroughly deserved victory for the Arsenal.
Szczesny, 7 - The Polish keeper kept up his good form again this evening, don’t think he can be blamed for the goal, no goalie likes to be beaten at his near post, but every credit to Ben Arfa, a great turn on Gibbs and a fierce shot into the bottom corner. Newcastle didn’t offer much in either half and Szczesny cleaned up when he needed to, always commanding in his area and quick distribution to keep the momentum up.
Sagna, 8 - Another classy performance from our right back, his link up play with Walcott was sublime, always in the thick of it and his crossing was again excellent tonight. It’s always nice to have a settled back four and its paying huge dividends of late, the back four seem more composed and always fighting for each other. Sagna and Walcott were dominant in the first half, so much so Santon was sent for an early bath at half time. It just shows you how much we have missed Bacary.
Koscielny, 7 - He’s becoming a real rock at the back and probably one of our most consistent players, took a couple of heavy knocks this evening one on the foot and a clash of heads in the first half. But has passion & commitment as always. Driving forward from the back he’s a pleasure to watch and seems more at ease with Vermaelen by his side.
Vermaelen, 7 - I didn’t feel Thomas had a great game tonight, but what a goal in the last minute to grab the 3pts. I would have scored him a 5/6 tonight as seemed to give the ball away a little too easy for my liking, and was at fault for the first goal, but like Thomas does every game for us, never gives up, shows leader ship and battling qualities which you always want to see from your centre half. An amazing run, from just outside his own box, to run the length of the pitch and to be there to drill the ball home, fantastic.
Gibbs, 6 - At fault for the first goal, a little naïve defending was turned far too easily, Gibbs always worries me bombing down the left and being left vulnerable at the back, but what the hell, I think he is a fantastic player and is getting better and better each game, his pace is fantastic and always looking up wanting to pass that killer ball in the final third, quiet in the first half but not his fault as the ball was being played on the opposite flank.
Song, 7 - Solid all over the pitch, protecting the back four as usual, or in defence heading the ball away, another fine performance from the steel of the team, passing a little off, but offers so much else to the team. Didn’t manage that killer pass tonight, but on a couple of occasions he nearly found it. Overall another solid performance.
Arteta, 7 - After his concussion at Liverpool last weekend good to see the Spaniard back tonight, Did well, consistent, think I’ve seen him play better, worked well in the midfield with Rosicky, & Song driving forward at every opportunity, looking for that deft pass.
Rosicky, 8 - Fantastic performance from the little Czech maestro, a little stunned to see him substituted, he was all over the field tonight hustling winning the ball, laying off combining so well with his team mates. It’s like having a new player, if you saw him 2 months ago, he didn’t even look bothered, but he has really turned a corner and his work rate is immense, big heart, passionate, had a great opportunity to score and fluffed his chance unfortunately. Brilliant performance tonight would have given 10 if he had scored.
Walcott, 9 - Well done Theo, 2 assists (nearly) looks very happy in his game and playing with a smile on his face. Nice to see him with some consistency, big game tonight and he turned up and played a truly brilliant game, gave Santon a torrid time in the first half and the same again with Sagna, link up play was fantastic, I like this Theo and even the Arsenal faithful were singing his name.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 6 - A bit of a quiet night for our Ox, hardly involved in the game in the first half but in fairness to him all the play was from the left hand side. He saw a lot more of the ball in the second half, it was a pleasure to watch the young Englishman for the 20 minutes in the 2nd half before being substituted, a true natural ability, no fear, positive, skilful, pace in abundance, and not scared to have a shot on goal, sorry to see him go off. I just think he offers us something different.
Van Persie; 8 - Showed real passion tonight with his 90 minute run in, with his international team mate Tim Krul the Newcastle keeper which seemed to carry on in the tunnel. But like the Arsenal sang tonight he scores when he wants, took his goal brilliantly, the cross from Walcott was sublime and his first touch was awesome from RVP and his second to set himself and the third to shoot straight pass Krul, his 33rd goal of the season and 26th Premier league goal, RVP has now scored 28 goals in 28 games. 2 words for you, WORLD CLASS.
Gervinho 5 - Came on in the second half for the Oxlade-Chamberlain, showed good pace and settled into the rhythm of the team quickly, showed great pace and turning the Newcastle defence, his final ball still needs to improve though, and get on the scoring sheet again.
Ramsey 6 (sub, on for Rosicky) 76 mins - Great to See Ramsey back after his injury, settled again quickly into the Arsenal rhythm, what a difference maybe last week’s result would have been against AC Milan, if we’d had the bench we had tonight.
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