In what was a relatively comfortable evening, Arsenal climbed up to third in the Premier League table for the first time in two years with a routine win against Newcastle. Emery's men never really left third gear but were equally never forced to as their visitors barely troubled Arsenal's defence, however it was still a job well done and a professional night all round.
Emery went into the game with a few question marks over the fitness of some of his players, and with important games still to come, no one was risked. Club captain Laurent Koscielny and midfield maestro Granit Xhaka both sat the game out with short term injury complaints but both are likely to be available next time out. So with Xhaka out and Torreira suspended, the two man central midfield area was occupied by the dynamic (and captain) Aaron Ramsey and the developing Matteo Guendouzi. The other surprise sprung was that star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started this one from the bench. Two attacking midfielders in Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi were in behind the impressive Alex Lacazette. With a back three, Maitland-Niles and Kolasinac were providing the natural width in the wing back positions.
It was just the start Arsenal wanted, pressure all over the visitors and possession coming from every direction, wave after wave of red just kept coming. This eventually told as the Newcastle conceded a corner in the thirteenth minute and Ramsey smashed home after a deep cross. This was however ruled out as Sokratis was judged to have fouled his man in a penalty box melee. Harsh on Arsenal and harsh on the skipper, but he wasn't to be undone for long as he stepped forward from midfield again on the thirty minute mark to link up cleverly with Lacazette on the edge of the Newcastle box, where he strode into the box and sweeped home a first time left footed finish into the far corner. A goal based on how the game was going; Arsenal deserved it, Newcastle had barely got going. Half time came with Arsenal still massively on top but there were still a few shaky moments at the back, nothing too threatening but all of our own undoing as Mustafi especially, just can't see to keep it simple.
However, the second half started and Newcastle looked to have rebuilt their shape and were content to sit in. The times they then did break meant that Salomon Rondon, who was doing well to occupy three Arsenal defenders, was left isolated and he just couldn't make it happen. Aubameyang entered the fray on the hour mark as did Elneny a few minutes later replacing the tired looking Iwobi and the stricken Ramsey. It didn't take long for the Gabon striker to show his pace and worry Newcastle's back line. Ozil, who was class all game long, slid Aubameyang in down the right flank soon after coming on, and he certainly looked in the mood. Not to be outdone by anyone, the excellent and tireless Alex Lacazette grabbed his goal late in the second half as a fortunate but calmly placed looping one-two with Aubameyang left the Frenchman with a split second to lob the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper to give Arsenal all three points. Another home win and a well deserved clean sheet for the in form Bernd Leno.
Ratings and Talking Points
Unai Emery: 8
Pretty good all round from the man in charge as he again opted for a 3-4-2-1 which was the ideal shape to really go at Newcastle. Having not had a game for well over ten days, it was strange to see Aubameyang left out but at the end of the day, it's a long season and his decisions last night paid off. A routine night at the office for Emery but at home, it's almost easy, away is where the real tests lie.
Bernd Leno: 7
Shkodran Mustafi: 6
Sokratis: 7
Nacho Monreal: 7
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 7
Aaron Ramsey: 8
Matteo Guendouzi: 6.5
Sead Kolasinac: 7.5
Alex Iwobi: 6.5
Mesut Ozil: 8.5
Alex Lacazette: 8
Subs:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 6
Mohamed Elneny: 5
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 4
The Emirates Fortress
At home, the Gunners are a completely different animal - well results certainly show them as such. With ten home wins on the spin and a season total so far of forty-four points, Arsenal sit joint second in the table for home form. Only Manchester City have more points (one) at home than Arsenal...a record Emery and his men can certainly be proud of. What Wenger's Arsenal struggled to do in his last few years was break teams down at home. The fans would then be on his back as his stubbornness to change early would ultimately be his downfall. However, Emery on the other hand, will change early if need be. He sees what needs fixing and makes a change to fix it. A simple model to follow but often a little more complicated to execute. His team however, breeds results. They amass most of the possession but its possession in threatening areas, and they usually get the job done by being patient and breaking down the opposition. Goal after goal, and points after points at the Emirates Stadium has meant that talk of a fortress in North London is upon us. A continued run of home form will help for sure but it's away where Arsenal now face a test, a test if passed, will see them finish third in the Premier League.
Mohamed Elneny's Fifth Premier League Appearance
The Egyptian midfielder sees very few minutes in an Arsenal shirt, in the Premier League especially. After coming on for Aaron Ramsey in midfield last night, his total for the season so far is five league appearances. However, he's the model professional, as we've never heard him complain or kick up a public fuss. Clearly there's no fuss behind closed doors either or on occasions like last night, he wouldn't be in the squad. For the last two transfer windows at least, he's been linked with a move away...none of which have materialised. Whether that's down to him, the club or both, there's a reason he's stayed. And in games like last night, he's a useful and capable enough performer that will churn out an average performance whenever he's called upon. This summer could be his time to move on with the club looking to free up cash from the wage bill but between now and then he looks fit, fresh and hungry to do a job for his team.
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