Arsenal hosted Newcastle United at the Emirates in perhaps the most enthralling and entertaining Premier League game of the season so far.
The visitors had been on the brink of an upsetting defeat against Manchester United, while Arsenal were fresh from three consecutive league victories.
As expected, the hosts took the lead through Theo Walcott, who once again started in a central striking role. The player tucked home a neat goal past Tim Krul in the first half which reminded everyone of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thierry-Henry-c34918 and his clinical finishing.
Demba Ba equalized for Newcastle in the first half, ensuring a nervy and exciting encounter after the interval. Arsenal took the lead twice in the second half, but Newcastle came back on both occasions. It looked like one of those days where Arsenal would
just not be able to win the game.
But Walcott and company had other ideas as they ended up scoring 4 more goals and rounded up the win and the 3 points for manager Arsene Wenger.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wojciech-Szczesny-c36998 – 7
The Pole was not at fault for the first two Newcastle goals as there were elements of luck and horrible defending about them. However, he should have done better when the visitors scored their third goal of the night. He however did well to deny Marveaux
and Bigirimana.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148 – 7
The Frenchman had a strong first half and bossed the right flank, but had trouble keeping up with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Demba-Ba-c10812’s free kick which led to Newcastle’s first goal.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kieran-Gibbs-c20945 – 6
The Englishman was strong going forward, but struggled at the back. He switched off on both occasions to allow Newcastle to score their second and third goals, but made amends by venturing forward and providing the assist for Walcott’s second.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002 – 6
The Belgian looked tired and struggled to keep up with the pace of the game. He was constantly being worked by Ba in the centre.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 – 6
The Frenchman filled in for the sick http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Per-Mertesacker-c29680, but was given a tough time by Ba. He had trouble pairing with Vermaelen, and looked shaky, which is highly unlike him.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mikel-Arteta-c25715 – 7
Did not have his best game, and failed to stamp his authority in the middle of the park. He did however help the team keep the ball and distributed it well.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463 – 9
The Englishman had a terrific game, and was the stand out figure in the Arsenal midfield. He was unlucky to see Ba’s free kick deflect off his head and go in goal, but made amends by his resilient runs and provided an assist for Arsenal’s third.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santi-Cazorla-c32505 – 8
The Spaniard had a quiet game by his standards, and never really made much of an impact. He did however improve in the second half and was indirectly involved Arsenal’s resurgence.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896 – 8
The German worked hard and had an industrious game as he played a key role in all of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873’s first goal was inch perfect, and his persistence saw him score the home side’s third goal.
Theo Walcott – 9
The star of the night, Walcott had a phenomenal game which saw him score a hat-trick. The player still has to improve on his end product, but has made a strong claim to be started as a central striker. Three neat strikes saw him pick up the man of the match
award.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Oxlade-Chamberlain -8
The winger scored the second goal for Arsenal, and worked hard and was a constant threat down the right hand side.
Olivier Giroud – 8
The Frenchman came on as a second half substitute and almost scored a hat trick under only 15 minutes. He got at the end of a terrific Walcott cross and then followed it up with a right footed strike. His third attempt at goal saw him hit the post, and he
was unlucky not to have scored.
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