Report: Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal
By Randy Osae
Arsenal survived a freakish affair at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Goals from Bendtner, Diaby and Nasri were enough to see off Newcastle 3-1 after Martins’ daring equalizer in swift response to Arsenal’s first.
It was a dynamic script from start to finish. There were goals in quick succession from both ends and even a spot-kick salvage from Almunia early on. Both sides showed resilience, but Arsenal were more renowned at it – as they have been at stealing back top four status from Villa who could stay three points behind Wenger’s men after Sunday.

Starting Line-up
The match had a fiery start distinctly controlled by Newcastle. In lesson of United and Chelsea’s unexpected defeats prior to kick-off, Wenger’s men knew they would meet a Newcastle side in giant-killing mood today.
Another scalp over a “big four” member was signaled as the home side were rewarded a penalty kick midway through the first half. Almunia was adjudged to had tangled with Ryan Taylor in attempt to grasp the ball.
Obafemi Martins stepped up to inflict, and Arsenal’s stopper made sure he didn’t. In fact, Almunia could hardly be beaten by a kick with neither placement nor power.
The Magpies tried to compensate with an immediate goal to ensure that miss did not haunt them in return. But after a series of corners and taming headers, they nearly paid the price when Andrey Arshavin – who had been bullied by Taylor – raced and smashed a shot just brushing the roof of the net.
The Russian’s tough marker Steven Taylor negated Van Persie’s goal bound effort with a block after being set-up by Bendtner in danger area. Before that, Van Persie received a chipped pass from the Dane right in the face of Harper. The Dutchman intended to cheekily flick it home, but he was denied.
Going back into the dressing room, both set of players had every reason to scratch their heads.
St James’ Park was sensing an opener from somewhere after the restart. Onto one of several Newcastle corners, Steven Taylor headed on target but Gallas was at the rescue – blocking off the line. Then on 56 minutes, Nicklas Bendtner startled the hosts by heading home Arshavin’s well delivered free-kick. Newcastle were irritated and eager to react as Bendtner received his thumbs-up.
Arsenal were merely locking up doors when Sagna headed a Newcastle throw-in back into his own territory. With pressure from Martins, Gallas could only provide a naive clearance, and his opponent pounced onto into it, poking the ball past a shell shocked Almunia.
But this was one weird contest.
Five minutes later, Van Persie exchanged passes with Diaby as the French midfielder broke into danger zone and fired Arsenal back in command. That was all today had been about and so three minutes later, Nasri emulated the trick with Van Persie the provider again.
3-1 one it was – four goals in a minimal nine minutes.
Arsenal began cruising now as Arshavin went off for Song with Wenger seeking a discipline approach to wrap the points.
Bendtner – who was later replaced by Eboue – along with Van Persie all spurned relentless openings at goal while Diaby struck the post late on with another stunning surge and drive from midfield.
Needless were any more goals after another classy job done.
Be afraid Villa… be very afraid…lol
3 points up now and cruising on the day Chelsea and United were humbled!
Yes, everton lost too.
Playing super at the moment and hopefully getting a few players back and staying fit til the end of the season. Our form is good and we’re back in the goals. It’s looking like a good finish to the season for us hopefully.
Villa will be under lots of pressure for tomorrow’s game against liverpool.
Lpool will win
and well be 4th!
yes Anto, Villa will be choking..
Alright bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arsenal is back and on track. Man Yooooooooo lost today & two of their devils are suspended and the Mad spurs(Tort-en-ham) gave Chelsea the blues with a 1-0 victory. Hoping for a draw or a 2-0 Liverpool win over Villa.
Another happy day to all the arsenal fans
I’m hoping that………. what was I hoping about when I remember I’ll get back to you guys. I have very bad short term memory loss.
i think we r gonna finish 3rd. chelski and manu bankrupt lost. wat a fantastic day! cheers all ya gooooners
LOL…Niamor, you are a funny man.
I’ll be praying now that we don’t get any players injured on the international break. If we get our full squad back we could remain unbeaten til the end of the season. God watching Arshavin and Nasri play together gives me a chubby sometimes.
if sara palin can see Russia from alaska, i can see chelski and manu losers from my home in rotterdam.
hail the lil Messiah Arshavin!
Sara Palin also wanted to build a (stamford) bridge to nowhere. Agree with asmelash there. What a beautiful day.
I Can’t wait the video report!, I want to see these videos over and over!
saludos
you Go Razik!!!!
Way to go boys, I can see us finishing 3rd in d league, winning the fa cup and reaching the cl finals with this grit and resilience.
Theo will be out for 10 days according to wenger, that means he will be ready after the intl. break together with cesc. Cant get any better.
Guys, only if we can support our boys who have been toiling night and day to make up for our roller-coaster season instead of slagging them. I’m talking about bendtner, denilson, song, eboue, et al.
These guys have more than covered up in the absence of the so called stars. They are the reason why we are undefeated in 16 games, longest unbeaten run since the invincibles, and they deserve some credit no matter what. With the amount of time cesc, ade, rosicky, edu, and walcott have been out,these guys more than made up for their absence especially considering how much they get paid compared to our super stars.
Lets be grateful for what we have. Who would have anticipated that we’ll be challenging on three fronts right now? (FA,CL,CL spot)
What did I do Randy I wasn’t referring to anyone on the site as a bitch or anyone in particular. anyways why isn’t Karlos giiving his comments after games.
ohh it wasnt you who is this imposter posing as randy.
Hopefully it’s not Gooner Chris. After a good for arsenal i dont want anyone from arsenal messing it up.
I really apologize for any mis-conceptions Niamor. And I’m very glad you were able to note who it was.
I also hope it’s not Chris as he has supposedly decided to have peace with me..but he’s still my prime suspect.
I will sort this sh*t out…I’m as f**king pissed as you would’ve been when you saw that comment.