It is usually said that title winners often win matches even when they do not play well. Arsenal just delineated that fact in their victory against Newcastle. Wenger may have been nervous about the fact that they may drop crucial points this evening. However, he would be all the more pleased about the battling nature in his squad which was on display today.
Arsenal did make a good start in the game but Newcastle were the better team in the first half. Wijnaldum, in particular, gave Cech a good run for his money. The Geordies enjoyed a good spell of possession with Arsenal struggling to get a foot hold in the game. It was really surprising to see the nature of the game given the league standings and Newcastle were definitely the team on top going into the break.
Newcastle could have also easily been the team taking the lead had Cech not pulled a good save denying Wijnaldum's strike. The Dutchman received a pass from Perez in a swift counter attack but was denied by an onrushing Petr Cech. Cech, who was awarded for his Premier league record of clean sheets, definitely showed why he has won it in the first place and was able to keep Arsenal in the game.
It was Arsenal's time to be denied with Ramsey not being able to convert Ozil's cross. Later, on the other end, Mbemba failed to keep his header down. With around 15 minutes still left to play, Newcastle had to pay for their inefficiency in front of goal. Koscielny was able to put the ball in the back of the net, from an Ozil corner, which was diverted into his path by Giroud. The goal was scrappy but Arsenal could not care less.
Towards the later stages of the game, Newcastle did have changes through Wijnaldum and Mitrovic with Arsenal also coming close to scoring their second through Ramsey and Ozil. However, a 1-0 victory on a day when Leicester could only draw and City having a tough game against Watford was crucial. Arsenal are two points clear at the top and Wenger will definitely believe his team can stay there come end of the season.
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| Arsenal go top as Laurent Koscielny gets only goal of game against Newcastle. |
Newcastle could have also easily been the team taking the lead had Cech not pulled a good save denying Wijnaldum's strike. The Dutchman received a pass from Perez in a swift counter attack but was denied by an onrushing Petr Cech. Cech, who was awarded for his Premier league record of clean sheets, definitely showed why he has won it in the first place and was able to keep Arsenal in the game.
It was Arsenal's time to be denied with Ramsey not being able to convert Ozil's cross. Later, on the other end, Mbemba failed to keep his header down. With around 15 minutes still left to play, Newcastle had to pay for their inefficiency in front of goal. Koscielny was able to put the ball in the back of the net, from an Ozil corner, which was diverted into his path by Giroud. The goal was scrappy but Arsenal could not care less.
Towards the later stages of the game, Newcastle did have changes through Wijnaldum and Mitrovic with Arsenal also coming close to scoring their second through Ramsey and Ozil. However, a 1-0 victory on a day when Leicester could only draw and City having a tough game against Watford was crucial. Arsenal are two points clear at the top and Wenger will definitely believe his team can stay there come end of the season.
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