Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 1: Lucky strike smokes the Geordies

Pires and Bowyer in combat

The very final game of a classic year for Arsenal saw them trek all the way north to St. James’s Park. Arsenal were without Gilberto, Reyes, Bergkamp and Aliadiere but our current injury worries paled into insignificance compared to those of Newcastle who were without Shearer, Kluivert, Carr, Butt, Johnsen and Ambrose. Just how much we might actually rate any of their absentees is of course open to debate, as is the supposition that they might have made any difference to the outcome. Bramble, Dyer and Ameobi were available however despite some earlier injury rumours.

Bowyer was well rested following his most recent suspension – as of course was Ashley Cole who also made the trip. I couldn’t make this particular trip and so settled down in front of the box to watch the first League match I’ve failed to attend this season. While as usual the travelling Gooners attempted to make themselves heard from an eyrie in the third tier. It was the usual tough dour battle at Newcastle, which was quite rightly preceded by a minute’s silence. Steve Bennett was the ref, well loved by Gooners of course for his sending off of Pat at Old Trafford last season.

Cole hit a fine through ball to Van Persie that almost gave us the lead as his early shot was well saved to earn us one of many early corners. One of the early corners resulted in Henry finding Campbell whose left foot shot won yet another corner. We looked good at this stage. A mistake by Campbell, the only one I recall by Sol let Ameobi in for a shot that was very well saved by Almunia but Bennett gave us a goal kick.

The pitch was cutting up and was not conducive to Arsenal’s one-touch game; the footing looked a bit uncertain at times but worse still were the bobbles, which were here there and everywhere. Our fourth corner saw a header from Sol cleared off the line by Ameobi and it was about this time, or maybe the corner after that a Flamini shot was stopped on its way to goal by the arm of Bernard. No penalty was given. We were on top but Dyer missed a good chance from an Ameobi header. Ameobi being the only Newcastle player to cause us serious problems tonight.

A Bellamy dive was followed by some Geordie pressure, where they actually won their first corner. Bowyer battered Pires in the back and the Geordies booed, clearly not understanding that free kicks are awarded for fouls. We were working hard against a packed defence that retreated under pressure but held firm. We worked well enough trying a variety of attacking options but the Toon held firm and were unlucky to have Taylor booked for a foul on Rob.

Pires to Cole to Henry to Ljungberg but it was all too crowded in the Newcastle half. Newcastle in turn pressed down the left and surprisingly left Bellamy wide right to battle with Cole and this was a fun battle to behold. Campbell to Freddie with a long ball who headed back for Robin who hit a long drive that was saved for yet another corner. A short one by Rob and Tel this time was worked to set up a Flamini shot.

Vieira celebrates his goal

Cole handled in our box as he tussled with Bellamy but this too was ruled out by Bennett, I think it would have been very harsh if a penalty had been given. Cole and Bellamy continued their shoving match while Andy Gray continued to talk crap on Sky TV. Cole picked up a yellow for the number of fouls he had made rather than their nature. Robert went for goal with a free kick from a narrow angle, greedy as ever, but this was a good spell for the Geordies as a minute of added time was shown.

‘Champions’ ‘You’ll never sing that song’ could be heard drifting down from the gods when out of nowhere the gods seemingly shone on Arsenal. A Newcastle throw was won back and Flamini found Vieira. Pat tried to pass through a couple of players and when it bounced back to him the ball sat up nicely for a shot so he had a poke from range. His shot took a deflection from an attempted block and once it was high enough over Given you knew it was in. 0-1 Arsenal in the 46^th minute.

Not being man enough to face the half time drivel from Sky’s ‘experts’ I took a time out to open another bottle of Merlot.

Patient possession was the Arsenal answer after the break and for a while we looked quite controlled without ever really offering a killer threat. Cole and Henry for example combined well, but don’t they always? The cross however was too high for Freddie. Newcastle attacked more this half but by and large we were well able to soak up their threats. Bellamy had a decent cut back for Bowyer who blasted over but there was little else from the black and whites to impress.

Van Persie showed in fits and starts, a brilliant turn for example being followed by rather a naff pass. Bowyer had a low shot that was easy for Almunia. Henry oozed class and had a fine solo, but couldn't find the killer pass. Pat had a shot well off target but I think he tired second half and was surprised that considering he's suppose to have had a virus in the week he wasn’t replaced at some point.

Van Persie was carded for an impetuous tackle on Taylor. It was still anyone’s game. We might have added to our lead but Newcastle might just have well have equalised. Newcastle coped quite well with our pressure. One good run by Robert looked promising but his cross was not up to scratch. Henry tried a chip at the other end. Pat had clearly fooled me with his tiredness and did really well, almost finding Freddie. Ameobi was still the threat and as Newcastle pressed Lauren was carded for a tackle on Bernard, both players being injured in the tackle.

With Lauren off the field Freddie went to right back. Following the free kick, Bowyer blatantly dived in a central position and the free-kick was moved forward for dissent as Arsenal moaned at such a piss-poor piece of observation by Bennett. Freddie was carded for holding up the free kick (Gudjohnsen please note) and Robert hit it into our wall.

The game became a tad more lively or as Martin Tyler said ‘not pretty but compelling’. True. But it could never be pretty on such a crap pitch Martin! Van Persie was replaced by Clichy and Rob moved further forward. Cole conceded a free kick and we nearly paid the price for lack of concentration as they took it quickly. A weak shot by Robert helped our cause however.

Flamini is tackled by Jenas

Henry got in another shot following a short run and then Gael and Rob combined to give Henry the chance for another shot that wasn’t too far away this time. Both teams gave the ball away at a time where I believe they may have been tiring. We were clearly playing for a one-nil as ‘Arsenal we love you’ drifted down from the third tier. Amazingly the panic measures of November’s defending appeared to be a thing of the past as even the four minutes added time appeared to be of no concern to the team about to rack up their third consecutive clean sheet.

Three points is everything, no doubt Souness will feel aggrieved if only because he always does. No doubt he will point to a penalty not given and a fortuitous goal. I’ll point to an Arsenal penalty not given and a player who had a go and scored. Better yet I’ll just point to the League table and yet another win in 2004. Final score 0-1 to Arsenal.

Although the late great Bill Shankly is alleged to have quipped that ‘Football is not a matter of life and death, it’s far more important than that’ we all know that it just isn’t true. And I don’t suppose for one minute that ‘Shanks’ being the great man he was really thought so either.

So at a time when football seems particularly irrelevant in the wider scheme of things may I indulge in a reflective heartfelt plea on behalf of all those whose grief we share throughout the Indian Ocean? If anyone reading this report has ever, by some fluke or other, enjoyed either this or any of the reports that have preceded it please show your appreciation by helping any of the Tsunami Relief Funds in any way you can. Many thanks and a very happy New Year to you all.