Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle: Giroud ends goal drought and defence shines

Goals:

Arsenal- Giroud 65′

Lineups:

Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Anita (Ameobi 74′), Tiote; Sissoko (Haidara 80′), Cabaye, Gouffran (Ben Arfa 62′); Remy.

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs (Arteta 70′); Flamini, Wilshere; Walcott, Rosicky, Cazorla; Giroud (Bendtner 86′).

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Clearly, style points and points in the table are two completely different things. This season Arsenal have been renowned for their beautiful play: intricate passing and movement creating pretty goals. At Newcastle, however, the Gunners were forced to defend their asses off, trusting a goal would come.

Reminiscent of the final match at St. James’ Park last season that secured Arsenal Champions League football in 2013-14, Arsenal did just enough to earn their keep of all three points.

They did jump out to gain the majority of possession, but found it difficult to carve out good opportunities. Twenty minutes in, midfielder Jack Wilshere had one but fired over the crossbar from long range.

Newcastle fought back, seeing full-back Mathieu Debuchy almost test Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny with a nice half-volley. Moments later Tomas Rosicky produced the first effort on goal, forcing Newcastle goaltender Tim Krul to divert his drive.

Again, Newcastle answered with Moussa Sissoko forcing a diving save from Szczesny, before Debuchy popped up again, heading a ball from the ensuing corner off the bottom of the crossbar, as Arsenal defenders hopelessly watched. At halftime, Newcastle seemed the better side, creating quality chances.

Their defending was also suburb, halting many Arsenal attempts at attack and routinely discouraging them from getting the ball into Newcastle’s final third. A breakthrough for either team seemed unlikely from open play.

After sixty-five minutes however, Arsenal earned a free kick from a dangerous position, and Theo Walcott quickly swung a ball in, which forward Olivier Giroud flicked with a glancing header. It was the Frenchman’s first goal in eight games, never a more opportune time to strike down a drought.

With that, Arsenal were content to batter down the hatches and protect the lead. And they had to, as Newcastle pushed back hard. Once again, the partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny were stellar at the back, repelling opportunities and sewing the victory up.

Manager Arsene Wenger was grateful of his team’s effort in holding onto the lead:

      “In the last 15 minutes we showed another aspect of our team, resilience and fight and we threw our bodies in the box,” he said. “We showed a lot of resilience. You have seen today a technical aspect of our team that was quite good and also a mental aspect that was needed in a game of that stature.”

It is drastically important that even in games in which the squad isn’t firing on all fronts to find a way to win. Wenger clearly understands that in the unpredictability of the Barclays Premier League, you must learn to take the three points any way you get them.