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Today our team was without Ashley Cole (foot), Gael Clichy (foot), Antonio Reyes (thigh), Dennis Bergkamp (hamstring), Pascal Cygan (groin) and Alexandre Song (knee) some of whom would obviously be missed more than others were. So Lauren once more reverted to left back but Kolo took the right back berth with Hleb replacing Pires on the left.
The opening exchanges were uneventful with neither side getting the upper hand in a bitty period of play. There was a period of head tennis as Newcastle attacked and a low shot from Parker that was an easy save for Jens. Hleb looked classy and nearly squeezed through. A great Arsenal move followed as Van Persie to Hleb, to Henry won us a corner from his cross. From the ball in there was a scramble in their box, which could have gone anywhere. Where it did go was from Gilberto’s boot to Bramble’s arm, it looked on target but Dermot Gallagher didn’t give it. It would have been harsh but we’ve all seen softer penalties given, usually to Shearer.
The midfield was competitive as when Solano went in late on Lauren but that one wasn’t even spotted. Good run by Hleb. Another good move and some great play including a decent cut back by Hleb. A brilliant cross by Cesc followed more good play and Henry steered his first time shot goalwards, but Given pulled off a brilliant save. Our next move was even better with Cesc to Freddie to Henry who had the choice of a diving header or a shot but messed it up by doing neither. The move was worthy of a goal at a time when we were carving them up and I think this move was the one that had started with a great challenge and clearance by Senderos and speedily zipped from our end to theirs.
Our rhythm was spot on, the one touch stuff was looking good and Cesc was orchestrating things well. Shame about his wild shot. Freddie set up Henry for a long shot that was low and not too far past the post. Chants of ‘Thierry Henry’ could be heard from the third tier. Hleb to Henry and a double spinning pirouette thingy in their box didn’t quite come off. Sol came forward in a move and Freddie nearly picked him out in the centre forward position. You remember centre forwards surely; big blokes who steamed down the middle. A poor free kick was given against Gilberto who clearly and cleanly won the ball. Hleb to Henry, to Ljungberg. Faye very late on Senderos for a yellow card as the dim Geordies booed Swiss Tony for being hurt. A good cross by Parker that went across the face of goal as Toon upped their tempo for a late rally and first dangerous attack.
Shearer backing in to Campbell just by way of a change. Van Persie got in a shot before Gilberto was carded for coming in late on Ameobi. Owen fouled Lehmann as, on my TV, Alan Parry and Brian Marwood continued to spout absolute drivel. The half ended with Arsenal having had the better of the play and the clearest chances. It was still goal less though.
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Sh*t followed sh*t from Gallagher as he gave Gilberto a second yellow card for his third foul; it looked harsh to me. Hleb fouled but not given. A shot over from Parker who shortly after very unwisely crashed into Lehmann instead of going round him. Flamini replaced Hleb to bolster our midfield. 61 players sent off under Wenger apparently, well according to the jerk Alan Parry. How many were totally unjustified wasn’t mentioned. Great ball in by Ameobi who impressed in midfield today. Parker at last had some space and according to the TV commentators was the new messiah or something. Not that he’d done a thing of note before Gilberto was dismissed. Shearer jumped straight at Kolo but blind Pew was still crawling up his arse.
Henry nearly got through but Newcastle kept up the pressure. A fantastic run by Kolo who wormed his way past about three players, made it into their box and cut it back for Van Persie, he appeared to miscue but I believe Solano had got in a very critical big toe. Ameobi tripped Freddie, as the game became a touch tasty. Faye on Van Persie who could have left the field at this point with a second ywllow. A long range shot from Cesc was easy for Givens. Parker was still in great pain with a bloody mouth and finally gave way to that loveable rogue Bowyer. Well I say loveable rogue but I mean ****!
Jens was well outside his box to head clear and needed to be – he read it well. Every decision was going to the home team as when Shearer’s foot was up around Lauren’s ear and caught him on the down stroke – no card. Kolo was trodden on by Ameobi, but accidently. A freekick to Newcastle for foot up against Van Persie but our wall held. Cesc cleared but Newcastle still pressed. Shearer held off Kolo and laid the ball out right to Solano who drove a fine shot inside the far post. 1-0 Newcastle and their second half pressure had paid off. Cesc was annoyed at the twenty odd minutes in which Shearer failed to get back in his own half and so tried to shove him back. Handbags at a time when we needed to get up their end in the remaining minutes. Was Shearer booked for blatant time wasting? Of course not.
Freddie and Thierry with some one-twos as Solano hauls down Lauren.
Cesc and Robin were replaced by fresh legs in the form of Quincy and Robert. Owen got behind our defence but missed. Owen offside. Henry offside. Ameobi offside and kicked the ball away. Good run and cross from Quincy. Shearer looked for Kolo, backed into him, moaned about the free kick and then threw the ball away. He got a yellow card at last, which he’s happy about because of course he’s just wasted yet more time.
Five minutes added time in which Ameobi tackles Rob with ease, Chopra replaced Owen and Rob made a stupid foul to end our chances of possesion. 1-0 was the final result and for the first time since Alex James was a boy our team has failed to score in two consecutive matches. It had been an action packed, incident filled game for the neutral and another pain in the butt for Gooners. We could have killed them off in the first half, we didn’t and we paid the price.
I don’t get to see many Arsenal League games on the box – I hadn’t realised what a wanker Alan Parry was!