Author: allen

Giroud’s first goal in weeks sealed the Gunners second successive away win and the seventh win of the season. In a fixture that was scarce of chances, the Magpies were the first team to show real threat late into the first half when Szczesny was called into action and denied Moussa Sissoko a goal.

Arsenal had a tough first half due to a solid Newcastle back line. Many are the times when the Gunners were forced to try long-range shots with Santi Carzola, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere having their shots comfortably stopped by Tim Krul. The same cannot be said for Szczesny who was kept busy by Magpie defender Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko.

Defenders Fabricio Coliccini and Williamson ensured that Olivier Giroud was kept at bay during the first half. Giroud gave fantasy football managers a hard time when he picked up a yellow card before firing his 11th goal of the season in the 65th minute. Giroud headed the ball home from a Theo Walcott free kick after he lost his marker ending his one month goal drought. Newcastle failed to mount a significant response as Arsenal had what seemed as an easy last quarter although Loic Remy would have taken advantage of a Szczesny miss calculated clearance but the balled rolled wide off the goal. In what seemed like the last kicks of a dying horse, Newcastle sent Tim Krul forward in a bid to force a late equalizer but Ben Arfa wasted what seemed as a real chance.

It was the first time this season that Arsenal have played without both Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey who are both nursing injuries. Arsenal lost Mesut Ozil to a shoulder injury but he is expected to be back in “two-three” games.  Arsenal also go into the new year without Captain Thomas Vermaelen and Nacho Monreal who are both ill.

Olivier Giroud & Jack Wilshere – Post Game Interview

Arsenal failed to reclaim their “Top of the league” position after a barren draw with London rivals, Chelsea, at the Emirates last night. The draw means that Arsenal are level on points with Liverpool who have a superior goal difference. Liverpool will spend Christmas as the League leaders.

It was a windy and wet affair at the Emirates which saw Arsenal fail to register a shot on target until late into the second half. Chelsea drew first blood when Frank Lampard’s shot hit the woodwork in the first half. Chelsea continued their attacking football with Willian’s low shot comfortably saved by Szcesny. In the 36th minute, Theo Walcott appeared to have been brought down in the box by Willian, but Mike Dean would hear none of it. This didn’t go down well with the fans as well as Wenger. A furious Wenger said “It was 100% a penalty”. In another incident, Mikel appeared to have hit Arteta on the ankle in a sliding tackle but luckily for Mikel, he got away with it. Chelsea were unfortunate not to take the lead into the break since Arsenal were playing into the wind for the better part of the half. After the break, Arsenal showed some improvements as it was expected of them but Olivier Giroud wasted a handful of chances that would have seen Arsenal fire one past Cech to go top of the league and five points clear off Chelsea. Tensions and frustrations threatened to change the mood of the game when the ever calm Ozil was involved in a push and pull with defender Ivanovich but it was luckily contained by Mike Dean. Arsenal made several promising attacks for the better part of the last quarter but it was unlucky that they didn’t fire one past Cech.

Arsenal can reclaim their “Top of the League” status before the year closes with their next games, away at West Ham and Newcastle and hope that Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City will drop points.