Comeback Kings

Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle

For the fourth league game in a row Arsenal came from behind last night to record an impressive victory against a determined Newcastle United side. In doing so, the Gunners not only set a new Premier League record as they became the first side to achieve such a feat, but more importantly reduced the gap between themselves and Tottenham to one point. If this were a Christmas pantomime the audience would now be shouting at Spurs, “behind you, they’re behind you” as Arsenal sneak up on their North London rivals, who have lost their last three league games.

In contrast, the Gunners came into this game in high spirits. Their recent run of form has been extremely impressive, exemplified by the resurgence of Thomas Rosicky. The man nicknamed little Mozart has been absolutely outstanding in the last few games. Playing in his favoured central midfield position he has been able to dictate Arsenal’s play and greatly influence the game. With his sumptuous and incisive passing, Rosicky has enabled the Gunners to carry a more formidable attacking threat, while his new found ferocious pressing of opposition players has set the tempo for his team. The Czech international, who yesterday signed a new contract, has simply been the heartbeat of this side.

Theo Walcott also had a good game last night, as he continually looked dangerous throughout the match, with his constant forays down the right flank causing havoc amongst the Newcastle defence. In fact within the first three minutes of the game Walcott’s fine run and low cross almost set up an opening goal for Robin Van Persie. However with the goal gaping, the Dutchman failed to connect with the cross and the chance went begging. The Gunners would come to rue that missed opportunity as in the 14^th minute Newcastle took the lead through Hatem Ben Arfa. A forward ball from Thomas Vermaelen was easily cut out by Cheick Tiote and the ball then fed out wide to the Ben Arfa, who was allowed to turn inside far too easily by Kieran Gibbs. The French international’s shot then somehow managed to beat Szczesny at his near post, a shot the young Polish goalkeeper really should have stopped.

With the visitors 1-0 up, it was vital the home side responded quickly as Newcastle would simply sit deeper and deeper as the game wore on in an attempt to frustrate the Gunners and take all three points. Fortunately the Arsenal faithful didn’t have a long wait for the equaliser, as it arrived within 55 seconds of Newcastle’s opening goal. Rosicky’s perfectly weighted forward ball sent Walcott clear on the right and his cross was well controlled by Van Persie, whose exquisite turn saw him wriggle free of Mike Williamson, before slamming the ball home.

Van Persie makes it 1-1

Arsenal continued to enjoy plenty of possession as the first half wore on, but could not breach Newcastle’s well drilled defence. Strangely it appeared the visitors were happy to settle for a point as they showed no real attacking intention once Van Persie had equalised and their goalkeeper Tim Krul began to waste time at every opportunity despite it only being the first half.  As halftime approached, the Gunners fans could only hope that such a distinct lack of ambition would not be rewarded.

However this seemed a distinct possibility throughout the entire second half as Arsenal contrived to miss chance after chance. Walcott’s cross early in the second period was met with a powerful header by Rosicky, but he could only direct it straight at Krul. Moments later Oxlade-Chamberlain’s volley sailed just over the bar, before Van Persie met Arteta’s cross with a tame shot easily saved by Krul. The Gunners continued to pour forward but just could not hit the back of the net. Walcott again ran towards the touchline, before cutting inside and laying the ball back for Rosicky to score, but somehow he miss hit it and the ball sailed harmlessly wide. Then Van Persie was sent through by Gibbs, surely Arsenal would now take the lead, but on his weaker side the captain’s powerful shot was just wide of the goal. The more the game wore on, the more it appeared it would not be Arsenal’s night and when Gervinho somehow missed an open goal, when completely unmarked at the far post, I felt our chance had gone. This Arsenal side however have a new found belief and simply refused to give in, as they fought until the very last minute.

With five minutes of injury time almost up, the Gunners launched one final attack. Walcott again raced down the right, one last time, his cross was flicked on by Van Persie, to the back post where two Arsenal players were unmarked. Up stepped Vermaelen to poke the ball home and send the Emirates into sheer delirium.

Vermaelen scores in the 95th minute

All the players ran to celebrate with the Belgian however party pooper Howard Webb, who had done absolutely nothing to stop Krul from his persistent time wasting, walked over to break up the celebrations.  Van Persie then said something to the Newcastle goalkeeper to which he took offence and a melee ensued. Funny how Krul didn’t mind wasting all that time throughout the game and then threw his toys out the pram when Arsenal’s victory was rubbed in his face.

This was a truly fantastic victory for the Gunners, coming from behind once again against a team who have performed so well throughout the season. The mood in the dressing room must be absolutely fantastic right now having taken maximum points from Sunderland, Tottenham, Liverpool and now Newcastle. In addition, victory was essential to maintain the pressure on Tottenham, any other result and Harry Redknapp would have used it to galvanise his team once more. As it is the Gunners are now only one point behind their neighbours and must continue this fine run of form until the end of the season. At the final whistle last night, the Arsenal fans sang “Are you watching Tottenham?” Well as the pantomime audience would say, we’re right behind you!