The Boogeyman, The Sandman – whatever you want to call them, it’s safe to say Newcastle United have been haunting Gooners’ dreams in recent years. Immediately spring to mind is last year’s 4-4 horror show at St. James’ Park which many link directly to the squad’s utter capitulation at the backend of last campaign.

However, where that could be cast aside as a fluke result aided by some dubious officiating, it was the reverse fixture from this one that encapsulates the Arsenal that has most frustrated fans over the last seven years. Just to remind anyone that may have erased it from memory, it was a dour and uninventive Gunners side that took their visitors for granted and dropped a 1-0 result on Andy Carroll’s header in first-half injury time.

To be honest this was my biggest concern heading into this game; hot on the heels of three impressive results and bad run of Tottenham form and I was worried we already thought we were one-point back.

And through the first 10 minutes of the game it looked like my worst fears were realized with Newcastle seemingly generating all of the action before Hatem Ben Arfa popped up and blazed a shot on the inside post past Wojciech Szczesny.

However, we came back quickly (quickly, as in 54 seconds later) and after that the game lulled along frustratingly with Arsenal carrying the majority of the play but generating very little.

Then five minutes of injury time were announced and…well we know how it all ended. Come on the Arsenal!

Fortress Emirates

Perhaps the best thing Ivan Gazidis has done in his tenure as CEO has been to commission the statues of Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams, and Thierry Henry in front of the Emirates. I am being somewhat facetious but ever since the statues were unveiled they have become the focus of a pilgrimage of sorts for all Gooners.

However, I think this can be said for the Emirates as a whole. It has taken seven years or so but the stadium is coming into its own, encapsulating all we love about the club and we are being rewarded on the pitch with entertaining football and a team playing with an incredible belief and spirit.

The only time I can recall this type of atmosphere at the Emirates was last year’s win over Barcelona and now it has been there three games on the trot. The relationship between fans and team and team and fans beautifully perfectly symbiotic one that belongs in every grade schoolers science text

Bench of Strength

I mentioned the bench a couple of weeks back and how nice it would be to have some different options off of it. Well looking at our lineup today, it was the strongest team we’ve fielded all season which meant we had our best bench of the campaign as well.

And while they weren’t world beaters today, Ramsey and Gervinho seemed a lot more strategic and able to give us something more than, say, Arshavin and Chamakh.  Ramsey, for his part, looked lively and creative although a final ball was lacking. He was, however, the one who attacked Theo’s cross and nodded it on the Vermaelen for the winner.

As for Gervinho, he seems t be struggling and lacking confidence but let’s just hope that is still a case of getting used to the EPL and it can be overcome with the team’s positive finish to the season so let’s not give him too hard a time.

Speaking of Arshavin

Was there more to the enigmatic Russian’s departure than just a lack of playing time? When it happened it seemed weird we would send our only difference maker, an experienced international captain on loan when the team seemed to have a lack of options coming from the substitutes.

But has gone on its recent run since he left and we’ll probably never know the full story behind what happened. But if the positive results keep coming I believe most Gooners will be alright with that.

Off or On Song?

If I am going to be critical of one player it is Alex Song.

According to Whoscored he had only 1 tackle and won only 25% of his duels. He did complete 84% of his passes but the 16% missed must’ve have been every forward and through ball he attempted.  His rating of 6.8 was his lowest over the last five games.

I hope no one takes this as a slight against the player overall – I think he is a terrific player who continues to improve and his ability to place a final ball gets better and better. However, I would like to see someone come in to provide competition as he has a tendency to become complacent or he just needs a rest from time to time.

Another defensive midfielder has been on the offing for a number of seasons and whether or not that is Frimpong, Coquelin, Aneke or a purchase (M’Vila?) I’m not sure but I’ll leave it in Arsene’s capable hands to make a decision.

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