By Matty Sadler
January 2 2016
Tony Gale about a hundred times repeated the old cliche that champions need to drag themselves over the finish line when they aren't playing well and we did exactly that today. We were excellent during the first five minutes but failed to score when we were on top, which allowed Newcastle to settle and eventually take control of the game.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott were particularly awful out wide and the Flamini-Ramsey midfield looked short against Newcastle's packed midfield. We found ourselves really hanging on at times as they definitely had the best of it. The big turning point was in the second half with Wijnaldum having Newcastle's best chance, which Cech saved excellently. We then went up the other end and, in a very un-Arsenal like fashion, scored a scrappy winner from a corner.
Today was bad though, and hopefully will convince Wenger than we need a better defensive midfielder and another wide forward.
Cech - 7. Made a number of routine saves and catches. Crucially was a calming presence always communicating from the back. Match winning save off Wijnaldum though.
Bellerin - 6. Excellent first five minutes before fading completely. Not at his best at the moment and needs to work on his final ball.
Mertesacker - 6. Okay but very slow in possession, arguably due to lack of midfielders coming deep.
Koscielny - 7. Some excellent sweeping, but also gave away silly fouls. Excellent for the winner.
Monreal - 7. Fine defensively despite little. Grew into the game offensively in the second half.
Flamini - 5. Not good enough defensively or in possession as the game past him by. Showed how much we need an adequate DM this month.
Ramsey - 6. Passenger first half, much better as the second half progressed. Worked hard but should have scored twice. Not his day.
Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. Awful. No Premiership goals and assists in 2015 is shocking. Worry for him but hope he can turn things around.
Ozil - 6. A few touches of brilliance but not his best day as players around him were poor.
Walcott - 5. Also pretty awful. Better on the right than on the left but did nothing all game.
Giroud - 6. Okay despite lack of service/ help out wide. Did well for the winner.
Subs:
Campbell - 6. Lively, worked hard, should have started.
Gibbs - N/A. Not on long.
Chambers - N/A. Not on long