Newcastle met an Arsenal side at the very top of their game this afternoon, and given the chances arsenal had, they were lucky to escape with only a 3-0 scoreline.
Arsenal always play good football and they started like a steam engine at the start of this game, and were all over a Newcastle side who found id hard to even get the ball.
But a big Arsenal weakness is they don’t score the goals they should and when on top do not kill off their opposition.
They scored after 18 minutes from a very dubious penalty given against Charles N’Zogbia, but Van Persie made no mistake from the spot, and the Dutchman had a fine game tonight.
But it was 40 minutes gone in which Arsenal had completely outplayed a hard working Newcastle side, who were only kept in the game by the brilliant Shay Given, who made two or three great saves to keep the Gunners out.
But then they scored the crucial second goal when Arsenal tore the Newcastle defense apart and Eboue set up Van Perse who forced home his second goal.
But then just on half time Michael Owen’s looping header was well saved by Almunia, who had nothing to do in the first half.
Just before half time Sebastian Bassong came on for the injured Jose Enrique – another injured player. 🙁
The second half wasn’t much different but Newcastle were trying hard to get back in the game, and they were pushing forward a lot more.
Then after 51 minutes Given staked a claim to playing out, when he dribbled past two Arsenal forwards in the penalty area, something that the commentators said he will be watching that video a few times when he finally retires.
Then after 56 minutes Newcastle got their first corner of the game and Nicky Butt’s header hit the cross-bar.
Then after 57 minutes a good dummy by Michael Owen set up Guthrie who had a good shot saved by Almunia.
But after 59 minutes a brilliant goal by Arsenal put an end to Newcastle’s hopes of getting anything from this game.
They split the Newcastle defense wide open and Denilson got his first goal ever for the Arsenal side.
Then after 89 minutes David Edgar cane on for Habib Beye, and Joey Barton came on to a round of booing, and replaced the ever hard working Jonas Gutierrez.
But this was all Arsenal – and to be fair to Newcastle they found the Gunners in irresistible form, and not many teams could have done too much better this afternoon at the Emirates.
Shay Given was magnificent for Newcastle and but for 4 world class saves the scoreline would have been a lot worse for the Magpies. And Coloccini had another solid and classy game at the heart of Newcastle defense, and was well supported by Steven Taylor.
In midfield Danny Guthrie did well and again hardly gave the ball away, and Michael Owen was hard working, and with any luck may have had a couple of goals today.
Jonas Gutierrez and Charles N’Zogbia worked their socks off for the cause, and it’s ghard to think there’s are harder working winger sin the Premier league.
Also if William Gallas, Van Perse, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Vela and Theo Walcott hadn’t missed excellent chances things could have been an awful lot worse for Newcastle. Yes, it certainly could hav ebeen a lot worse than 3-0.
We didn’t deserve any points, and we didn’t get any, but we can still finish 5th this season even if get no points against the top four, because we can beat all of the remaining 15 clubs, home or away.
That’s where we have to pick the points up, so let’s not get too despondent about today’s result –
Arsenal were just too good for us today.
TEAMS
Arsenal: Manuel Almunia, Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, William Gallas (c), Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue, Denilson, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor
Subs: Lukasz Fabianski, Carlos Vela, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Song, Johan Djourou, Nicklas Bendtner
Newcastle United: Shay Given, Habib Beye, Jose Enrqiue, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Danny Guthrie, Nicky Butt, Jonas Gutierrez, Charles N’Zogbia, Michael Owen (c), Shola Ameobi
Subs: Steve Harper, Sebastien Bassong, Joey Barton, David Edgar, Ben Tozer, Ryan Donaldson, Nile Ranger
Referee: Rob Styles
Attendance: tbc
217 comments so far
Lew Davies
Aug 30, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Comment #1Arsenal _ great stadium, class players, good set up,
but CRAP FANS.
hadrian
Aug 30, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Comment #2havent we been here before 😀
truth is we havent moved on from last season , players we have brought in have been quality , but we have shipped more out (lastest being krull? one of the most promising kids we’ve ever had at the club in recent years )
it was their for all to see last season how badly a few injurys could hurt us .
we are really short of numbers .
Lew Davies
Aug 30, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Comment #3Ha Ha Ed – love your optimism.
We desperatly need new players, urgent!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ohmelads
Aug 30, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Comment #4Don’t get dispondant over that – they were class, we were average (at best) but what do yu expect when they hit that form? ANY team in europe would have struggled to cope with that!
sony.tw
Aug 30, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Comment #5the gunner fans here in taiwan are crap as well!!
Hilly
Aug 30, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Comment #6Toon MofM – Gutierrez by far
Butt is too slow for Arsenal’s youngsters. We need Barton or someone else to replace him.
I’m concerned that Colo got injured and I think Keegan should’ve replaced Shola at the half mark. He’s a complete waste of space, doesn’t run, work for the ball, he’s absolute crap. When the ball comes to him, he dribbles it twice and passes back. Not a prem quality player.
Lew Davies
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Comment #7Agree Ohmelads _ but it just goes to highlight the gulf between us and them.
Top 5? Not with these players.
ohmelads
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Comment #8Hilly, I think you must be one of Strollas mates. He was f@cking worse than that mate….shocking!
Ashton
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Comment #9The best thing in the whole game was Barton’s tackle on nasri 🙂
ToonTex
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Comment #10Did Beye age 5 years over the summer? Where is his spark? No chance today, but the previous games this season he has looked VERY ordinary.
Oh and Shola … could you jump off a cliff?
Yeomsta
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Comment #11People shouldn’t over react about this result, we weren’t awful it’s just that Arsenal are a class above. The reason we didn’t keep our shape is because we were chasing shadows for 90mins. Arsenal drag players allover the place it’s difficult to remain a solid unit which makes it especially difficult for the defence as they are continuasley under pressure. The one thing I will say though is we MUST replace Ameobi, what kind of RETARD runs in front of Owen when he’s making a run on goal!?!?!
nufc supporter
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Comment #12ed i think ur wrong saying we can beat only they other 15 teams
in my opionion, i think we can beat ALL of the teams in this league, but we need another 3 or 4 signings and alot of luck against the likes of the top 4, villa, portsmouth and everton once they get all their injuries back, i also think tht if we can keep a good injury record, we COULD challenge for a top 8 spot, maybe even challenge for intertoto cup place
if we can play like we did against man utd and hav tht little bit of luck like against bolton where they missed the pen and we won the game , then i dont see why we cant challenge and hopefully WIN all of the other teams and also go on a cup run
at the end of the day all u need to win a football match is a bit of luck, a few players playing to the best of their ability on the day and to score most of the chances we get
i know u will all shoot me down for this, but i hav faith in this football team and i know tht after todays game, king kev will pick this team up, get 3-4 good players through the st james’ park door nd be ready for our next match, hull city, and i believe we can win this game
C’MON THE TOON!!!
ohmelads
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Comment #13True Lew – but, remember who we had out as well – they were at full strength. We had MO and a half donkey, half man up front with him
graeme
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Comment #14There is no doubt about it; we were crap and completely outplayed in every position on the pitch.
Shola proved beyond all doubt that any aspiration he has of hanging out for another premiership club is a pipedream. He will be lucky to get a game in League 1 after that display. I wsould call him inept, but that would be flattering him too much.
MA must realise by now that we are in desperate need for a proper CF to give Owen someone to play off – he hasnt the hight or the strength and was bundled off the ball with ease.
If we dont get the anticipated 3-4 new players by Monday night, we are in for a season just like the last one. I pray we manage to beat the drop but wont be putting my money on it.
Lew Davies
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Comment #15Amadonkey!!!!!!!
Hilly
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Comment #16ohmelads – who performed better? At least Jonas plays box to box and actually looks like creating something offensively. Given is the only other option…
KEEGAN FOR PM
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Comment #17REF 10/10 for arsenal shocking towards Newcastle.Arse were good though was that the same team that played Fulham last week?Bring in these signings KK our squad is so depleted.
hadrian
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Comment #18so what if they hit form ? are we to roll over anytime we play teams like that ? i dont care how good they are , we should be competing with them .
I Made 1000
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Comment #19dissapointed with today, could of got a better performance, but we didnt, best thing was the barton tackle on nasri lol then nasri tripped the bugger up on perpose
wigaz
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Comment #20Well that showed a lot, 1) we need players desperatly! As if we didn’t know that! 2) We’re light years away from Top teams 3) Shola is bot!
On a positive note Barton looked well up for it when he came on, shame he wasn’t on sooner like. Nasri did what every player will try to do to him, Wind him up! He needs to answer that with the strong tackles, great passing & good engine that we know he can produce. On a negative he is more than def going to be banned for 15games. If we dont get in 4 players by end of window we’re in trouble & i hate to see it but i can see KK walking telling fat boy straight “This is not what i signed up for! L8r!”. Sorry to piss on your parade ED, but i speak only the truth m8.
Lew Davies
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Comment #21Hadrian – our players quite simply are not good enough to compete with any of the arse team.
We just have to face the truth.
I dont understand how wenger does it though.
ohmelads
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Comment #22hilly, agreed with you Jonas comment – he’s class. I jus thought were kind to strolla. Sorry pal
ToonKing
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Comment #23whole team, except Given and Jonas played absolutely crap….and to be honest Arsenal were at their best today…
I’m really downbeat but if we manage to get a few players in and get back our injured ones we will still have a very potent team……
i know it’s hard but try to cheer up….
Edd Case
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Comment #24Folks – calm down!
What did people really, honestly expect?
We have a small squad which at the minute, is also riddled with injuries.
We have signed 4 very good players and with the likes of Viduka, Barton and Martins to come back into the team, we’re already not THAT bad.
Today will happen again this season, but we’ll be much better than last season for sure.
Now, let’s put this match behind us and keep fingers crossed we sign three or four top notch players before midnight, Monday.
dacvid toon
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Comment #25think we should start a petition amadonkey out
Hertz
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Comment #26I felt like Dejavu .
My feeling was exactly same as the time when we were beaten by man utd 6-0 & 4-1
Not to mention it is 3am now at here..
ohmelads
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Comment #27Amadonkey…brilliant!
ToonKing
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Comment #28nothing will get rid of Strola, dacvid toon.
he will finish he’s career here….nobody will buy him….nobody…he has to be the worst player on the planet….
Lew Davies
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Comment #29Dacvid – four years too late m8
beyethegreat
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Comment #30we looked tired and arsenal are the worst team i nthe world to play against when youre tired and shore of numbers because like they did against milan last season who have aging players who cant run the way to beat arsenal is closing them down and giving them a physical battle and we were too tired to do that today i was not happy with what the commentator said about owen leaving and that we were not good enough to keep him i thought that were a bit harsh though we need more players
teamstoof
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Comment #31championship here we come,,,
if we dont get 4 new players then it certently cuold happen.
ohmelads
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:12 PM
Comment #32Call me a cynic but I reckon enrique took the easy option and ‘tweaked’ a hammy – he didn’t fancy it and his 2nd touch is always either a tackle or a header. He got turned more times than an omlette
dacvid toon
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:13 PM
Comment #33i remember watching amadonkey in the champs league and thought he was class.he was even being tipped for england under sven.just look at him now.what the hell as happened.he should be made walk the plank asap
Lew Davies
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Comment #34he is a plank
dan the man
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Comment #35Ameobi was dreadful, we need to strengthen badly. This should be our starting line up.
………………….Given……………………….
.Beye……Coloccini..Zayatte…Atouba…….
…………………………………………………….
Jonas………..Guthrie………..Malouda..
………………..Owen…………………………
………….Saviola……Martins…………….
Tom
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Comment #36I love this! We play badly in one game against one of the best teams in the league, and its doom and gloom again! Frankly its pathetic!!
We knew going into the game we would struggle against Arsenal, and we knew going into the game we needed 3-5 players!
Whats changed?
TOONessee
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Comment #37Oh well lads. Chalk it up to a small squad with a few key injuries and NO F*#@ING TRANSFERS (nods to Jonas, Colo, and Danny Boy, though). Let’s not lose hope though. We’ll attack Hull next week and redeem ourselves. Everybody say their prayers that we can pick up *laughs* Berbatov. Emphasis on “prayers” on that last bit.
Hilly
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Comment #38ohmelads – my bad…missed that part
Edd Case – I think we expect them to at least try. The effort was just not there. Do I expect a point or 3, no, but at least hustle. Most of our players stood around and watched Arsenal pass the ball around. There was just no hustle that we’ve seen the past few weeks. Maybe the cup game tired us out…not sure what happened today.
Macas
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Comment #39Yawn. Lots of teams would have struggled to cope with Arsenal on that form. Lets not over react eh?
Oba
Aug 30, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Comment #40Right, let’s get a couple things straight.
1) We were against a brilliant side capable of doing that to any team on their day.
2) We had lots of injuries, and had to settle with playing Ameobi up front. We weren’t likely to score, especially without Milner in the side as well.
3) We did actually create a couple chances, and were unlucky when we hit the bar.
Don’t look into that match too much, and let’s hope we bolster the squad before the end of the window. We have the potential to be a top 6 side, just need to stay injury free and keep our best players.