Before the game I wrote I didn't know what to expect, which Arsenal side we would see. Newcastle was on the up, we've lost Ramsey against Gala, Koscielny and Monreal didn't return from injury, Chambers was suspended. Add all the other wounded on top and we played Debuchy at centre-back and Oxlade alongside Flamini. And both Oxlade and Debuchy faired brilliantly. But let's start at the beginning.
The first half
We started with a whole lot of pressure, albeit there was some nervousness to the proceedings. We didn't concede any chances until very late in the half, if I recall correctly.
Our first real opportunity came from a corner. Alexis swung in a cross to the near post (do we cross anywhere else?) and Mertesacker got his head to the ball. Unfortunately, the ball rebounded off the underside of the woodwork and was then cleared.
In the 15th minute no such travesty occurred. Our move started near the halfway line, when Bellerin read Newcastle's pass well and intercepted it. The young Spaniard then passed to Giroud, the Frenchman singled out Sanchez with his pass and continued his run. The Chilean got to the byline and crossed it towards Giroud. The Frenchman rose majestically and met the ball with a cracking header. Alnwick was left to watch the ball float into the top corner. 1-0.
We could have been 2-0 up almost immediately. Welbeck and Gibbs combined on the left, the Englishman ran around Janmaat and then chipped the ball over Alnwick. However, the goal was disallowed and I don't know why. I think the ref was under the impression Welbeck fouled Janmaat in the build-up, but replays showed Daryl fell on his own at the slightest of contacts. Apparently when he realised he's lost the battle against Welbeck.
The Englishman could have scored another, however he couldn't quite get the ball under control after Sanchez's lobbed pass left all the defenders out of the picture. A shame, Welbz deserved a goal.
The half didn't finish as calmly as we'd have liked. Newcastle earned another free-kick in a good crossing position, a customary cross ensued and the ball found Gouffran at the far post. The Frenchman pulled off a header, but Szczesny was equal to it. Cisse was the first man on the rebound, but Szczesny saved again, this time with his leg. A brilliant double save to keep us ahead at halftime.
The second half
Nine minutes into the half we scored a second, which was long overdue. Sanchez spotted Cazorla darting inside the box and split Newcastle's defense with a pass. Cazorla received the ball, stayed on his feet after Collocini unceremoniously tried to bring the Spaniard down and then swerved the shot past Alnwick. A beauty of a goal from the man who turned 30 on the day.
Four minutes later Giroud added to his tally. Bellerin got down the right flank well and powered a low cross in Giroud's direction. The Frenchman was standing sideways to the goal and as such had only one option: poke the ball with the outside of his foot. Which he did and it paid off beautifully. The ball rolled over the inside of the net and it was 3-0. However, Newcastle tried to swing the momentum in their favour and we found ourselves under pressure. And lost our clean sheet as a result.
The Magpies won themselves another free-kick, crossed the ball towards unmarked Perez and the Spaniard headed the ball home - into the far corner. 3-1 and I admit I started to get rather nervous, as there was still half an hour to go.
However, I worried over nothing, as it turned out. Instead of shutting shop and putting men behind the ball, we managed to maintain the right balance between attacking and defending and could have been further up, first through Santi's volley, then through Gibbs's effort. Both flashed their respective shots just wide of the post with the keeper beaten.
We then conjured up two brilliant counter attacks and the second wasn't in vain, albeit the first looked a better opportunity. Alexis and Welbeck were 2-on-1 (against Collocini), but the Chilean held onto the ball for too long and this resulted in Welbeck being dispossessed on the edge of the box.
The second attack, however, turned out to be successful. Gibbs won a crunching tackle near his box (cleanly, I have to say), ran some distance (considering it was 88th minute) and passed it to Cazorla. The Spaniard cut Newcastle's defence open and Dummett had little choice but to bring down Welbeck inside the box. Cazorla stepped up and chipped Alnwick from the spot. A cooly taken penalty for a brace and a 4-1.
The aftermath
An attacking masterclass from Arsenal. We wanted to produce a performance after a blunder at Stoke? Done. Protect the makeshift back four? Done. Take our chances and score goals? Done. Not leave it until late in the game to grind out a win? Done.
That's not to take anything from our defenders, they were all very good. Bellerin made a couple of mistakes, but with an assist under his belt and the part he took in creating the first goal, I think we can turn a bit of a blind eye to his slips. It was a breakthrough performance from Hector, and though I expect Chambers to return against Liverpool, it's good to know Bellerin isn't there just to make up the numbers.
I was also very happy for Debuchy. For someone who has never before played at centre-back he did very well. In fact, I think he performed better than most natural centre-backs. Again, in the light of Chambers' return it's unlikely we'll see Debuchy deputising alongside Per any time soon, but who knows? Koscielny is out for "a couple of weeks" and we have a busy Christmas schedule coming our way.
I also want to single out Oxlade-Chamberlain. The lad performed brilliantly in central midfield and it's obvious he's taken a leaf out of Sanchez's book in terms of work rate and desire. After such a performance it's obvious Wenger wasn't just talking for the sake of it when he said central midfield is Chamberlain's future.
Finally, there was a really nice moment during the game when supporters started singing "One Arsene Wenger" in full swing. This time the commentator was on top, so I missed the moment, but I will find it and then listen the hell out of it. That's what Arsene said on the overall situation surrounding his persona:
"99.9% it's people with full respect even when they're not happy. I can take the 0.1% of criticism. I'm thankful for the fans singing."
Even though the numbers are exaggerated, it's still good know Wenger understands those calling for his head represent the minority.
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