Arsenal 7 - 3 Newcastle: The concept of defending is lost...

With three wins behind them, this Arsenal side surely fancied their chances against a Newcastle team lacking in form and blighted by injury. Newcastle, of course, still had the means to hurt Arsenal and come away with a good win if Arsenal weren't careful, but there really weren't many excuses for not picking up another win here.

The Walcott experiment continued as he lead the line for the third game running. The only change was Koscielny coming in for the ill Mertesacker.

First half

You probably wouldn't believe it seeing the scoreline, but Newcastle were actually the better side in the first half. They were well organised, industrious and presented a threat going forward, with Arsenal's centre backs struggling to play against Ba's power. With such a good focal point up front, Newcastle could play higher up in the pitch in Arsenal's half and take the pressure off their defence. Whenever Arsenal tried to sting together some passes, they were smothered pretty quickly.

Arsenal, for whatever reason, seemed content to stand off and let Newcastle have the ball instead of trying to force the issue. This is something that really frustrated me, as it did last week against Wigan. Sitting back and waiting for the opposition to make a mistake is a risky game for a side not known for it's solid defending. It invites too much pressure on us and gives the opposition more time to become settled. Arsenal can't expect to create chances and score goals without unsettling the opposition. When you're up against a defence that isn't doing very well, you should be putting them under constant pressure.

There were two chances of note for Arsenal in this half; both fell to Walcott, one went in, and one was wasted. Newcastle's defence had pushed up too high, allowing Walcott to spin in behind and finish clinically. He was found again in similar circumstances, except he failed to finish past Krul with his left foot.

Arsenal had a couple of decent chances on the break, too. In the opening three minutes, Wilshere sprung forward and played in Chamberlain, but he screwed his shot wide. Walcott broke away later on, but his pass to Cazorla was dire.

Newcastle's best chances came from set-pieces mainly and it was a deflected free-kick that drew them level. Ba's effort might have been on target, but Wilshere has to be braver. You always run the risk of deflecting the ball in when you turn your back on the ball like that - just ask Samir Nasri after the Manchester derby.

1-1 at half time. Arsenal really had to up their game in the second half.

Second half

Arsenal played with a lot more urgency and desire to win the ball back in the second half and made the difference against a Newcastle side low on confidence and low on fitness after playing on boxing day. Having said that, mistakes were rife from both sides, which lead to a high scoring half.

Arsenal's second goal came from a poor throw-in from Danny Simpson. Podolski headed the ball down to Cazorla, who played a simple ball across the penalty area to Chamberlain, who rifled the ball into the bottom corner. It was a well-taken goal, but Newcastle's defence was reeling, backing off Cazorla and Chamberlain and allowing them effect the play.

Of course, Arsenal were no better with their defending. Obertan ran down the left and made a fool out of Sagna before crossing it to Marveaux, left completely unmarked at the back post by Gibbs, who had gotten sucked by Cisse's run inside. It was a simple tap in for him.

We retook the lead in the 63rd minute. The move started when Wilshere won the ball back off Tiote, who was dallying in the centre of the park. After receiving the ball back from Podolski, Wilshere ran with the ball into Newcastle's penalty area; Tiote was afraid to touch him when tracking back, while Perch made little effort to prevent Wilshere from going round him and standing the ball up to the back post. Coloccini, perhaps the only Newcastle defender who can hold his head up high, did his best to clear the ball off the line, but somehow headed it onto the crossbar. Podolski was there to nod it in and make it 3-2, while Tiote just stood and watched.

Newcaslte then equalise, because we're generous like that. Our first problem was that Vermaelen failed to beat Ba for the ball in the air. The second problem was that Wilshere let Marveaux run off him in midfield. So when Ba nods it in the Frenchman's path, he has arces of room to run into. At first, it doesn't look like he's going anywhere, but he played a great pass with the outside of his foot to the back post, where Ba was there and waiting for an easy tap in. Gibbs, again, lost track of who he was supposed to be marking; first leaving Ba to cover for Vermaelen, then losing track of where Ba is at the back post. Just to make things worse for Gibbs, he really should have told Vermaelen to go the back post when he came inside to cover for him.

Moving on, there is yet more bad defending to scrutinise. When Podolski received the ball on the edge of the box, Simpson was drawn towards him, leaving a big space in behind him. Cisse, covering on the right, was ball watching (not surprising, since he's a striker) and allowed Gibbs to exploit that space. Podolski found him, and really should have scored when he got the ball back. Fortunately, most of Newcastle's defenders had gone to mark Podolski (except for Simpson, who just stood there), leaving Walcott free to pick up the pieces and finish smartly into the top corner.

Newcastle looked like they had given up when they conceded the fifth. Giroud just makes a simple run between Perch and Santon, who make very little effort to follow him, to get on the end of Walcott's magnificent cross. It's a very similar story for the sixth and seventh goals, as their defenders made little effort to win the ball back and Arsenal finished superbly.

7-3 the final score.

Proactive > Reactive

The attacking performance in the second half was a complete contrast to the one in the first half. Arsenal were too reactive in the first half, looking to soak up pressure and counter, which didn't work well at all because we were rubbish on the ball. Compare that to the second half, where Arsenal were more proactive. They hounded Newcastle, they made it hard for their tiring defence, ruthlessly exploited the space they made and capitalised on any mistakes.

This is where, I feel, Arsenal's attack is at its best. With pacey, direct players like Walcott, Chamberlain and Podolski, and determined runners like Wilshere, you need to force the issue. You need to make the space for them to exploit and the best way to do that is force the opposition to make mistakes. It's such a simple tactic, but one that Arsenal seem to deploy at random.

I like it when Arsenal keep a good shape and focus on being solid at the back, but against struggling opposition like Wigan or Newcastle, we need to play more like the favourites to win; play like the better team we actually are.

Against Southampton it's going to hard for us to be proactive again because the game is only two or three days away, but they're another team that's struggling and has poor defenders. We can keep this run going if we put that defence under pressure. Hopefully we will have the "sharpness" and not be "jaded".

What happens when an unstoppable force meets a Newcastle defence? 7-3

gibbs had a huge part to play in those goals conceded, this guy ball watches wayyy too much.

R.I.P defence
Watgoatt
G-ru

Walcott

Giroud

Amazing performance going forward.

So much epicness today

Wilshere's vision

I didn't even notice Cazorla today

Forget about defending, just outscore everyone.

the definition of EPICALITY!

sign the ting theo. he was defintly feeling it today.

great for g-rude to bag two goals. badman style

wilshere the rock. show me what you got jack

"this is what makes the epl the best league in the world."

"This makes football smile."

@half time i was thinking(moaning) any half decent team would trash this newcastle side
at least we are half decent team

Theonel
Olivier Chicharito

it's Trio Walcott Sina

Anyway, sign Capoue in January and we're set for for the second half of the season

THEORRY HENRY

Energetic Performance and Fantastic Result...
it was a very open game in which both teams tried to goals. We showed fantastic energy from the beginning for the first time and that set the tempo of the game. we dominated the first 20 mins. Wilshere was a beast in midfield winning balls and moving us forward. Tiote got the better of Cazorla and he was anonymous.
the differences which made this game special...
- we showed good energy right from the start. dont know whether it is the rest having the effect..
- Podolski had the best game according to me. he was charging up and down, closing in and put some good through balls for Theo..
- Theo.. it was his day.. but i would not accept that he is a central striker.. he had some great finishes.. Newcastle were playing a high line allowing space for Walcott behind them.. he can do the same from the flanks too.. he wasted some simple chances.. i think his left foot is too weak to be clinical.. wasted some oppertunities when his passes were poor.. and again he got some good crosses for Giroud which he put in.. so again Walcott can be a CF.. but his skills are specific to that of a winger.. his weakness wont come out frequently in the wings.. so i will still start Giroud as CF and Walcott on the right..
- Ox.. has been trying too hard in the last few games.. today he scored a good goal which will give him confidence.. he is making it hard for himself by choosing the difficult options at times like Ramsey.. but he is showing signs of good form..
- Gibbs was excellent offensively. For the first time he started puling the ball back along the ground rather than scooping it blindly.. Forehead should just learn to do this.. (he was caught sleeping defensively.. responsible for the 2nd and 3rd goals)
- Giroud.. header, we know it.. and a good right footed finish.. i am so sad that he missed the tap in to score his hatrick..
- Wilshere was an engine.. the complete midfielder.. great defensive work, tackling.. carried the ball forward and good distribution to both wings..

Ratings..
Sczeny - 7 great game.. cant be faulted for any of the goals.. great in the air..
Sagna - 6 good game.. gorward but crosses were not so good
Kos - 6.5 good defending with good array of passing..
Verm - 6 decent game
Gibbs - 6 best game for him offensively.. threatened every oppertunity upfront.. poor defensively, caught sleeping for the 2nd and 3rd goals..
Arteta - 6 good dfensive work. kept ticking passes..
Wilshere - 7.5 beast in the midfield both offensively and defensively.. the complete midfielder according to Wenger..
Cazorla - 6 anonymous mode.. was marked well.. didnt have much time on the ball..
Ox- 6 tried many things.. got a good goal.. but gave away the ball with some poor decision making at times.. but certainly he is returning to his good form..
Podolski - 7 he showed fantastic energy.. may be returned to full fitness.. good through balls.. pressed and closed well..
Wlacott - 8 a great hatrick.. Henry-finish.. then a Walcot-finish.. and lastly a Messi-finish.. showed some of his weakness by wasting few chances and playing some poor passes..
Giroud - 7 proved that he is not going to be 2nd choice to Walcott.. sad that he didnt get the hatrick..

Jenkinson sitting with the fans:

Theo just wants it a whole lot man. Always rooted for him, glad to see he's making the most of his opportunity.

What a gameeeeeee

Theo beasting, and I love the option of bringing a whole different dimension in Giroud off the bench.

Our defending from our fullbacks was a big problem though, Gibbs whilst great going forward, fell asleep a couple times. And Sagna was getting mauled by Obertan who seemed to be a step ahead for most of the game (hopefully just a one off from Bac though)

A new winger in January would give the club a massive boost.

oh and btw, no Gervs once again = win

It'd be sad if this match ends up as Theo's Arsenal swan song.

Podolski was my m.o.m so much heart in that performance, Walcott showed a top class performance in front of goal, there are still some things that didn't like but he doesnt have to play CF against all opponents.

Wilshere beast except for the goal, great performance going forward all of our front 3 scored plus Giroud. It really is showing how vital it is for the front 3 to be decisive with passes, movements and decisions, Gervinho is just not that and I'm glad Wenger might be seeing that now.

PS I love Giroud!!

Arsenal goals in GIF:

1-0 Walcott:

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2-1 Oxlade-Chamberlain:

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3-2 Podolski:

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4-3 Walcott:

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5-3 Giroud:

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6-3 Giroud:

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7-3 Walcott:

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wtf is this lol

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urban

Done with the first post. It was fun writing about this game since there were so many errors to point out.

Going forward a fabulous display - more so in the second half - but defensively we looked weak. The defending from Sagna and Gibbs was extremely poor for the 3 goals, while I'm not sure why Wilshere was ducking for Ba's free-kick.

I expect both Mertesacker and Jenko to start the next game to avoid fatigue.
In some cases we looked absolutely clueless in the back, but glad our attack bailed us out once again.

It's obvious that a DM is needed at this point, our ball retention was awful in the first half, but the pressing, particularly in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half was great. We need to learn when to press and when to sit back and just soak up the pressure. I'm looking at you Bould.

much made of Newcastle out-passing us(516 to 411 !!)
here are final 3rd passes chart though
Click->1st half -2nd half

Entertaining game which I didn't envisage. Besides the free-kick which was just unfortunate, I'd have to say both Wilshere and Gibbs are to blame for the other two goals.

Wilshere can be seen clearly watching Marveux run in on the blind side and failed to track the run. Gibbs' hand were already full with attacking players already in the box. Wilshere was plain lazy in that instance.

As for Gibbs being at fault for Ba's goal - admittedly, he had his positioning initially correct, then the flight of the ball fooled him - by which time BA had gained an extra yard on him.

In hindsight, these errors should be easily corrected because evidently we got sloppy and naive. The danger was there to see. It wasn't as if triangles were played around us or we held a ridiculous high line that was exploited - they were simply individual errors that I'm confident will get fixed.

Massive round of applause to Theo for actually taking the game by the balls. He's coming into himself and looks a complete different players I've been berating for several seasons now. CF is his position- end of,