Arsenal bounced back from their disappointing loss against Stoke City last weekend to beat Newcastle United 4-1 at the Emirates on Saturday evening.
Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla scored two goals each to seal a comfortable victory. This was the Gunners second 4-1 win this week after their impressive performance against Galatasaray in the Champions League resulted in the same scoreline.
The North London club started the game strongly and were rewarded with an early goal as Giroud finished a smooth move with a solid header. They almost got the second goal immediately as Welbeck got around a defender in the box and finished with a superb chip, only to be denied by the referee who penalised the Englishman for a foul although the replays suggested otherwise.
We were not able to add a second goal despite dominating the majority of the possession in the first half. Newcastle threatened at the start of the second half, but a superb double save Szczesny prevented them from doing so. But from then on it was all Arsenal as Cazorla scored in the 54th minute with a chip after getting past the back line with some neat passing.
Giroud then scored with the outside of his boot from a Bellerin cross in the 58th minute and although the Magpies got one back but it was too late by then. Cazorla added another from a penalty late on to make it 4-1 and the Spaniard was easily the best player of the game for the Gunners.
The defence was solid and the win puts us in touching distance of a top four place. If we can continue this form then we can definitely finish in the Champions League qualification places.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Szczesny | 7 : He made a terrific double save to keep the Gunners in the lead in the first half and wasn’t to be blamed for the goal.
Bellerin | 7.5 : He was excellent going forward and was more of a winger than a defender. Assisted Giroud for the 3rd goal but needs to be more alert in defence.
Debuchy | 7 : He was solid at the back and had a superb game considering that he was playing out of position.
Mertesacker | 7 : Was unlucky not to score but was solid at the back as he rarely put a foot wrong.
Gibbs | 7.5 : Didn’t have much to do in defence, but was great going forward and played a vital part in the last goal.
Flamini | 7 : He did what he was supposed to do and even had a shot at goal which flew over the net.
Oxlade-Chamberlain | 7.5 : He was confident on the ball and gave plenty of problems to the Magpie’s defence. He is maturing with each passing game and isn’t complicating things like he used to do in the past.
Cazorla | 9.0 : (Man of the Match) He was the fulcrum of the Gunners attack and was involved in everything we did in attack. Was exquisite with the first goal and then coolly converted the penalty.
Welbeck | 7 : He worked very hard and was wrongly denied a goal by the referee. Missed a good chance in the second half but ended the game on a high by earning a penalty.
Sanchez | 8 : He never gives and keeps on working until the final seconds of the game. His work rate was exemplary and assisted 2 more goals.
Giroud | 8.5 : His physical presence was key to Arsenal and the Frenchman was brilliant with his finishing. He did what a typical striker needs to do, which is scoring when the opportunity presents itself.
Substitutions
Podolski | 6 : Didn’t have much to do, but had a shot which was just wide of the goal.
Coquelin | N/A : Good to see him back in Arsenal colours.
Maitland-Niles | N/A : Great week for the youngster.
What are your ratings guys?
