EPL Week 3: Arsenal Back On Track As They Defeat Newcastle 3-0
August 31st 2008 04:24
After a less-than-average start to their season, Arsene Wenger's men seem to have found their bearing with two convincing wins this week – the Champions League Qualifyer on Wednesday in which they defeated FC Twente 4-0, and yesterday afternoon's 3-0 win against Newcastle United. Most analysts expected a tight contest between the two teams, especially after the Magpies had held defending champions Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford on Monday. Instead, everyone was treated to a one-way traffic match in which Newcastle had a measly five shots on goal while Arsenal had three times the same amount with fifteen shots fired at Shay Given's net.
The Gunners' assault started early. At the first minute of play, a clear-cut penalty for Arsenal was waved off by the referee despite the fact that defender Coloccini had scissor-tackled Van Persie's legs inside the box. Arsenal got a corner in exchange and almost opened the scoring when Gallas volleyed the flicked ball high into the stands. Three minutes later, Toure's long-range effort was saved by Given who had a terrific match despite conceding three goals. At the 17th minute, Arsenal finally got their penalty when the linesman signaled a handball inside the ball. The move was involuntary (the defender wasn't even looking at the ball when it happened) but the opportunity to make up for the earlier non-call was too good to pass up. Thus, Dutch striker Van Persie opened the scoring for the home side. The tempo slowed down after the goal as the Gunners seemed to settle into a comfort zone. They had plenty of possession, making Newcastle look completely harmless in the process. Five minutes before half-time, Van Persie scored his second of the match after a great passing sequence between Eboue, Adebayor, and the striker. Moving up the right-wing, Adebayor sent a low cross inside the box to Eboue. The midfielder then backheeled the ball to the middle of the box where Van Persie slid in to slam it one. Given had no chance to stop it, 2-0 Arsenal at half-time. Wenger's men had dominated the first period with their possession time hovering around 65-70%. The only blight in their performance was Denilson's bad passing. But that was only due to inexperience, and the young midfielder would make up for it later in the game.
The Magpies were first on the attack in the opening stages of the second half. At the 55th minute, Nicky Butt's header rattled Almunia's crossbar. One minute later, Guthrie's shot was blocked by the Spanish goalkeeper. However, the home side put the game beyond doubt at the 58th minute when Denilson scored his first goal in the EPL. Once again, the goal came from a brilliant play between Adebayor, Nasri, and Denilson. First, Denilson passed the ball to Nasri who passed it to Adebayor while the Brazilian midfielder continued his run inside the box. Without hesitation, Adebayor sent a nice through-ball right in Denilson's path who slotted it in at the far post. Leading 3-0, The Gunners started to have fun on the field with every player looking for a ball. First, Van Persie's shot at the 60th minute hit the goal frame despite the impossible angle. Nine minutes later, Clichy's rocket was stopped by Given. At the 73rd minute, Given frustrated Toure when the defender's header hit the goalkeeper. Finally, at the 80th minute, Given made yet another save on Nasri's free-kick.
If it wasn't for Given, Newcastle would have been humiliated yesterday. The goalkeeper delivered an inspiring performance, it's too bad his teammates couldn't do the same. The win will provide some much-needed confidence to Arsenal's young players, and with Fabregas back in action, they will only get better.
Arsenal's line-up: Manuel Almunia; Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure William Gallas, Gael Clichy; Emmanuel Eboue (Theo Walcott, 72nd), Cesc Fabregas, Denilson (Alexandre Song, 68th), Samir Nasri; Robin Van Persie (Carlos Vela, 62nd), Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Gunners' assault started early. At the first minute of play, a clear-cut penalty for Arsenal was waved off by the referee despite the fact that defender Coloccini had scissor-tackled Van Persie's legs inside the box. Arsenal got a corner in exchange and almost opened the scoring when Gallas volleyed the flicked ball high into the stands. Three minutes later, Toure's long-range effort was saved by Given who had a terrific match despite conceding three goals. At the 17th minute, Arsenal finally got their penalty when the linesman signaled a handball inside the ball. The move was involuntary (the defender wasn't even looking at the ball when it happened) but the opportunity to make up for the earlier non-call was too good to pass up. Thus, Dutch striker Van Persie opened the scoring for the home side. The tempo slowed down after the goal as the Gunners seemed to settle into a comfort zone. They had plenty of possession, making Newcastle look completely harmless in the process. Five minutes before half-time, Van Persie scored his second of the match after a great passing sequence between Eboue, Adebayor, and the striker. Moving up the right-wing, Adebayor sent a low cross inside the box to Eboue. The midfielder then backheeled the ball to the middle of the box where Van Persie slid in to slam it one. Given had no chance to stop it, 2-0 Arsenal at half-time. Wenger's men had dominated the first period with their possession time hovering around 65-70%. The only blight in their performance was Denilson's bad passing. But that was only due to inexperience, and the young midfielder would make up for it later in the game.
The Magpies were first on the attack in the opening stages of the second half. At the 55th minute, Nicky Butt's header rattled Almunia's crossbar. One minute later, Guthrie's shot was blocked by the Spanish goalkeeper. However, the home side put the game beyond doubt at the 58th minute when Denilson scored his first goal in the EPL. Once again, the goal came from a brilliant play between Adebayor, Nasri, and Denilson. First, Denilson passed the ball to Nasri who passed it to Adebayor while the Brazilian midfielder continued his run inside the box. Without hesitation, Adebayor sent a nice through-ball right in Denilson's path who slotted it in at the far post. Leading 3-0, The Gunners started to have fun on the field with every player looking for a ball. First, Van Persie's shot at the 60th minute hit the goal frame despite the impossible angle. Nine minutes later, Clichy's rocket was stopped by Given. At the 73rd minute, Given frustrated Toure when the defender's header hit the goalkeeper. Finally, at the 80th minute, Given made yet another save on Nasri's free-kick.
Arsenal - Newcastle Goals & Highlights
If it wasn't for Given, Newcastle would have been humiliated yesterday. The goalkeeper delivered an inspiring performance, it's too bad his teammates couldn't do the same. The win will provide some much-needed confidence to Arsenal's young players, and with Fabregas back in action, they will only get better.
Arsenal's line-up: Manuel Almunia; Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure William Gallas, Gael Clichy; Emmanuel Eboue (Theo Walcott, 72nd), Cesc Fabregas, Denilson (Alexandre Song, 68th), Samir Nasri; Robin Van Persie (Carlos Vela, 62nd), Emmanuel Adebayor.
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