It didn’t look ominous as we took the kickoff but after a luckless first half that saw few chances highlighted by a Fabregas freekick that kissed the bar and a wonder save by Newcastle goalie, Tim Krul, we all believed we at least deserved to go in on level terms at the break.
That was until Roy Carroll rose highest to nod in an opportunistic header in the 46th minute and cast a damper on another afternoon of misplaced expectations.
The resurgent Theo Walcott also hit the post in the second half and tried as we may with the introduction of three strikers all in the last 35minutes, we ended up empty-handed for the second time this season at the Emirates.
It wasn’t pretty viewing at all as all our attempts to carve open the visitors’ defence failed woefully and pitifully. It is hard to pin point exactly where things went wrong but the fact that Newcastle managed to win the possession count 51% - 49% must have been a very worrying statistic indeed.
One worrying thing that emerged from the loss was an apparent inability by us to win games after first conceeding. In all our victories so far this season, we had always scored first. Anyone who knows anything about football must know as well that a team can simply not always score first in every game. A good team must as well master the art of fighting back from a losing position. So far, against West Brom, Chelsea and now Newcastle we’ve failed to show that quality.
Luckily though in the bigger picture, we still remain in touch with league leaders Chelsea who were themselves beaten at Liverpool. However, we fall to third spot after being usurped by Manchester United – the only real winners on a weekend of widespread reverses at the top.
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| Heads I win....The moment that Carroll sunk Gunner hearts |
• Fabianski (6/10) – Had a steady game quite alright but must take the blame for the goal. It was his only mistake of the game and how costly it proved.
• Clichy (7/10) – Saw a lot of the ball and roamed quite prominently upfront to supply passes to first Nasri and later, Arshavin. On an individual level, he was faultless.
• Squillaci (7/10) – I stilll like the look of this bloke. Very reliable at the back and has an ever-present assured presence around him. In the context of this game, that Carroll goal will be stick to beat every member of the defensive unit. Unfortunately.
• Koscielny (7/10) – Also did not disgrace himself. Helped shackle the trouble some Carroll and his support crew of Kevin Nolan, Shola Ameobi and later Nile Ranger. The goal was a blot though on the defence and that will be talking point whenever the story of this game is told. He was unlucky to be sent off for a foul, deemed rash on Ranger deep into stoppage time.
• Sagna (7/10) – Linked well with Walcott especially in the first half and after some initial struggles, contained the threat of Ameobi very well. Nothing to be ashmaned of in his except – one more – the goal we conceeded.
• Song (6/10) – So soon after his man of the match performance against WestHam eight days earlier, this was a complete contrast. He did his bit and held the defensive side of things well, but how do you as a midfielder defend against a freekick the type that led to the goal?
• Wilshire (7/10) – Does he ever have a bad game? No way. He returned from a three-game suspension to pick up where he left off. Harried Nolan, Joey Barton off the ball many times in the game and still found space to spring forward at every opportunity. Was very key to every attacking move we made and supported Song admirably in the middle. Sad that he had to end up on the losing side, but his star remains undimmed.
• Fabregas (6/10) – The captain returned as well after missing the Champions League trip to Ukraine. It was clear to see however thae he was playing with the handbrakes on, probably in an attempt not to overstretch his troublesome hamstring. Almost put us ahead with a cracking freekick in the 35th minute that hit the crossbar. The confidence behind his set piece ability is however something can be nurtured. Picked up a caution in the second half as he became frustrated and disilliusioned. A forgettable afternoon for him all in all.
• Nasri (6/10) – Also narrowly missed putting us in front with a scorching shot off a cutback from Fabregas that the Newcastle goalkeeper parried with aplomb. Picked up a knock and was later substituted early in the second half in order to avoid further damage.
• Walcott (7/10) – Did his growing reputation no harm at all despite the negative outcome of the game. Put in an accomplished shift and narrowly missed scoring with a shot from a tight angle that beat Krul but not the post. His decision-making, timing of runs, shooting have defintiely improved and this result would count as a slight hiccup in an emerging and glorious career.
• Chamakh (5/10) – Our big Moroccan looks to have gone off the boil. After starting the season like a runaway train, he seems to be coming to terms with the nitty-gritty and rough stuff of English football. Carried no valid threat all afternoon and it was no surprise when his number came up as early as the 57th minute.
Substitutes
• Arshavin (6/10)- Came on to replace Nasri in the 55th minute and he added zip to the left flank. Got behind the Newcastle defence a lot but his final balls were oftne missplaced and rushed. Yet still, he played much better than what we have seen of him recently.
• Van Persie (6/10) – It was expecting too much to see our returning Dutchman deliver so quickly after being out for over two months. His introduction though was greeted with enthusiasm around the ground and though the occsasion turned out to be an anti-climax, it was still a relief to see him back again.
• Bendtner (6/10) – He replaced Wilshire as Wenger went for broke with all his attacking ammunition in a bid to save the game. Didn’t offer much though as he was easily stiffled by the Newcastle backline.
A forgettable day all round and one we will all want to confine to history. What better way to do that than to got to Molineux on Wednesday and get the three points at stake. Its three defeats now for us in the league and if we truly harbour any title-winning ambitions, we must avoid more of such setbacks at least before Christmas.
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