From Ozil to Cech: Winners and losers as Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-1

It was a tense affair at St James’ Park but Arsenal prevailed with a 2-1 win over Newcastle.  

The first half failed to separate both sides as Arsenal produced a lacklustre opening 45 minutes, while Newcastle looked the slightly more dangerous of the two, though there were no clear cut chances for either side.

So after a poor first half of football, Arsenal made a significant change in the second, bringing on Lucas Torreira for Matteo Guendouzi and they immediately began playing with more tempo and flair.

It took less than five minutes for the north London club to break the deadlock after the restart, Granit Xhaka firing home from a free-kick, before Mesut Ozil doubled their advantage with a left-footed effort inside the box.

Newcastle grabbed a late consolation goal but Arsenal held firm. So, with the Gunners making it three wins on the spin, who were the winners and losers?

Winner: Mesut Ozil

This afternoon’s match marked a milestone moment for Ozil: his 200th appearance for Arsenal across all competitions since signing in 2013. And he duly delivered on the big occasion, scoring the second goal of the match to put Arsenal two goals to the good.

Things were not looking encouraging for the former Real Madrid man with Arsenal struggling to stamp their authority on the match, but having come out in the second half with more intent and purpose the Gunners took an iron grip on the match. 

From there the pendulum began to swing in their favour and Ozil epitomised that change in mentality from the Arsenal players, dovetailing behind Alexandre Lacazette looking for openings, and playing with more freedom.

Ozil’s first half performance was diametrically at odds with his second, and he produced a more vintage display when Newcastle were forced to come out and attack after the first goal, but either way, the 29-year-old has now scored 38 goals and created 66 assists for the club.

Loser: Martin Dubravka

Dubravka has been a colossus between the sticks for Newcastle since signing, initially on-loan, from Sparta Prague, but today the 6ft 3in ‘keeper was arguably at fault for both goals – certainly the second.

Newcastle looked relatively comfortable prior to the opening goal, keeping Arsenal at bay for the first 45 minutes, but their first shot on target proved costly for Rafa Benitez’s men as Xhaka fired home an emphatic finish.

It was, without question, a thunderbolt effort from Xhaka, but no ‘keeper would expect to be beaten from that sort of distance from a free-kick, especially having worked so hard to keep Arsenal out for so long.

The second was much more questionable, as the ball founds its way to Ozil, the German curled a left-footed effort towards the centre of the goal, but Dubravka failed to prevent the shot whistling past his arms.

Winner: Unai Emery

The Spanish tactician certainly did not have an easy transition into English football, losing his opening two Premier League matches in charge of the Gunners, but Emery has now masterminded three wins on the bounce.

Granted the opposition of Man City and Chelsea were not easy opponents by any means, but having now overseen victories against West Ham, Cardiff and Newcastle, the former PSG man is beginning to find his feet on English soil.

It did not come easy for Emery, with his side struggling at times to break down a very resilient and defensively formidable Newcastle side, but much like against the Hammers and the Bluebirds, they found a way through.

The 46-year-old still has a lot to learn, and is still trying to figure out his best XI, but having overcome his Spanish compatriot in Benitez – a man who has built his philosophy on intense organisation and defensive stability – Emery will now feel more at ease in his new position.

Loser: Petr Cech

Cech is a vastly experienced and seasoned goalkeeper having formed a watertight bulwark between the sticks for some 14 years in the Premier League, but he is struggling to adapt to the playing philosophy of modern goalkeeping.

Having come under the spotlight already this season for a number of high profile passing mistakes, as well as being mocked by Bayer 04 Leverkusen – the former club of new ‘keeper Bernd Leno – for making various misplaced passes, Cech is finding it hard to adhere to Emery’s passing style of play.

With 10 minutes on the clock, a back-pass from Mustafi found its way to Cech, but once more the veteran shot-stopper panicked under the pressure of an oncoming attack, this time in the form of Newcastle, and he conceded a corner as a result.

The 36-year-old admitted to making a errors in the match against Cardiff two weeks ago, and it may not be long before Leno is introduced to encourage a more assured passing style. Cech is certainly a master of shot-stopping, but an ability to pass fluidly does not seem to be his forte.

Winner: Jamaal Lascelles

Having fallen out with Benitez earlier this season for a reported disagreement on the training ground, Lascelles’ future in North East England was under serious threat, but having patched things up, the centre-back has since been reinstated, and his importance has accelerated immensely after today’s match.

Lascelles was forced off through injury at half-time, making way for Ciaran Clark, having kept a clean sheet in the first half and not allowing the north London club to make a single shot on target.

However, the Magpies collapsed shortly after the restart and Unai Emery’s men found themselves in cruise control come the 58th minute, thwarting a toothless Newcastle defence and easing to victory after enduring such a difficult time in the first half.

Newcastle were typically disciplined, organised and had an unwavering tactical structure in the first half, such is a Benitez side, but having made the change, they faltered under the seismic pressure of a more intense Arsenal attack – should the injury to Lascelles be a significant one, then it will spell danger for Newcastle.

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