The Gunners paid a visit to St. James Park on Saturday as the Premier League returned after the first international break of the season. Going into the game Arsenal have had won just two games in their opening fixtures and have found themselves on the losing side in just as many games. On the other hand Newcastle United under Benitez too have shown a poor start to the season having lost 3 games and drawn the other. Both the sides were in a must win situation in order to have their prospects in the league turn to better.
Arsenal started the game without any changes from their victorious game against Cardiff city in the previous match week while Benitez looked to make a few changes in his side. Clark and Ki Sung-yueng were taken out while Ritchie and Hayden were called back to duty.
The hosts looked more confident in the early minutes of the game and were seen pressing on the Arsenal defense from the right wing. The 10th minute of the game saw a play by Perez and Murphy that resulted in a cross to the center which was headed out by Xhaka for a corner. The resulting corner created a chance for Perez whose header was blocked by Mustafi.
By the 15th minute of the game Newcastle United was trying out their 4th corner becoming a serious threat to the Gunners defense.
Arsenal won their first corner of the game in the 20th minute.
Three minutes later Murphy executed a dangerous cross which forced Cech to diving out of his comfort zone. On the other end Ozil played the ball through for Aubameyang opening up for a opportunity. Fernandez executed a great challenge to have the threat quenched.
A great play by Monreal had Ramsey released down the left along with the hope of a chance. Yet his cross to the middle could have been better.
The first half saw some great plays by both the sides but without any real chances of a goal. The opening half ended scoreless.
HALF TIME: Newcastle United 0-0 Arsenal
Lascelles who was seen limping during the game was replaced by Clark during the break.
The half time dressing room talk seemed to have brought out a much more positive outlook on the Arsenal side. Five minutes into the second half saw Xhaka breaking the deadlock by a powerful free kick to the top right corner. This was also the first shot on target of the game. Score was 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
Arsenal showed even more confidence in the aftermath of the goal. It seemed as if the pressure was getting to the hosts. Ozil broke through the left wing in the 57th minute and set up a beautiful cross which was collected by Cech. A minute later Aubameyang tries out a shot from the left which deflected off the back of a defender.
Arsenal doubled their lead in the 59th minute of the game through the likes of Ozil. Ozil converted the effort by Lacazette into the second goal of the game for the Gunners.
Scoreline stood 2 goals to nil.
Arsenal kept on pressuring the hosts guard more and more. In the 72nd minute Ozil laid the ball off for Torreira who missed the opportunity by putting the ball high above the bar. Ritchie walked out to let Muto in in the 80th minute.
Benitez’s men failed to gain the momentum they maintained in the opening 45 minutes of the game. However Clark managed to pull back one in as it was 1 minute into the injury time at the end of the 90 minutes. He headed in the cross provided by Fernandez making sure Cech won’t leave with a clean sheet. 3 minutes later the final whistle was blown as the visitors packed in all the 3 points to take home.
FULL TIME : Newcastle United 1-2 Arsenal
- Goalscorers – 50’ Xhaka, 59’ Ozil, 90+1’ Clark
