Newcastle United vs. Arsenal: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Arsenal needed a Fabricio Coloccini own goal to edge 10-man Newcastle United 1-0 on Saturday in the Premier League.
The Gunners dominated possession at St James' Park but struggled throughout the match to create danger, even after Newcastle went down to 10 men following Aleksandar Mitrovic's dismissal in the 16th minute.
The winner came in the 52nd minute, when Coloccini diverted an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shot into his own net.
"I must say that Newcastle decided from the start to make the game quite physical and we had to keep our nerves and not become a little bit aggressive as well," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club's official website.
Wenger added: "We didn’t find the space. They defended well and they’ve shown why they didn’t concede at Manchester United as well. We are happy to have the three points and to win 1-0."
Here, B/R selects winners and losers from the match.
Winner: Tim Krul
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Few individuals on either side distinguished themselves on Saturday, but Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul turned in a fine display to keep his side in the match.
Arsenal dominated possession throughout the game, and especially after Aleksandar Mitrovic's dismissal. The Gunners controlled the ball 76 percent of the time and took 22 shots, with nine hitting the target. But Krul turned away the visitors repeatedly, making nine crucial saves (stats h/t ESPN FC).
It was a vital contribution for Newcastle, especially considering their numerical disadvantage. When a team concedes so much possession and so many shots, the goalkeeper usually has to play well in order to keep the game close. Krul did exactly that, and it was almost enough to secure Newcastle a draw.
Loser: Arsenal's Attacking Play
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Although Krul played well in Newcastle's goal, Arsenal must take some blame for poor finishing and predictable build-up play.
Center-forward Theo Walcott fluffed a big chance in the first half, lifting a poor finish over the bar from close range after Krul had parried a powerful effort from Alexis Sanchez. Often, however, Arsenal's attacks were too slow to stretch Newcastle's defense, who coped well despite playing 76 minutes with a numerical disadvantage.
The Gunners eventually broke through with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot, which deflected in off Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini. But for most of the day, Arsenal's attackers appeared bereft of ideas as to how they would break down the hosts' organized defensive ranks.
It's been a running theme this season.
Through four Premier League games, Arsenal have scored just three goals. Two of those have been of the own-goal variety. According to WhoScored.com's stats, those four games have seen Arsenal take 84 shots. With three goals scored, that works out to a 5.9 percent conversion rate.
For a side that harbored title-winning ambitions ahead of the season, that simply is not good enough, for obvious reasons. If the Gunners are really going to mount a challenge, their attacking play must improve.
Manager Arsene Wenger still has an opportunity to improve his squad. The transfer window closes Tuesday, and the Frenchman could yet sign a new striker. Failure to do so would significantly hurt Arsenal's ability to compete with England's top sides.
Winner: Chancel Mbemba
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Center-back Chancel Mbemba was another star performer for Newcastle. The 21-year-old Congo international impressed in the heart of defense, playing maturely in partnering Fabricio Coloccini.
Arsenal's approach—slow build-up play with little width—played into Newcastle's hands somewhat, but Mbemba deserves credit for making 10 clearances for his side (h/t WhoScored.com).
His imposing presence at center back gave the Magpies a solid foundation as they set out to defend for 76 minutes following Mitrovic's red card.
Loser: Theo Walcott
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Arsene Wenger gave Theo Walcott a chance to play his preferred center-forward role from the start, but Walcott did not do anything to convince his manager that he is Arsenal's long-term solution in that position.
Walcott missed two good chances in the first half. Converting one or both would have changed the complexion of the game, forcing Newcastle to attack and possibly freeing up space for Arsenal. Instead, he missed both, and one was a sitter.
In the ninth minute, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain spread the ball to Hector Bellerin on the right. Bellerin volleyed the ball into Walcott's path, and Walcott redirected the ball on target. It wasn't a convincing shot, though, and Tim Krul was able to save with his feet.
The second miss was the big one. In the 32nd minute, Alexis Sanchez forced a save with a powerful shot from distance. The ball bounced to Walcott, who fluffed his finish, sending the ball way over the bar with his shin. Simply put, he had to do better.
There was no escaping the criticism after the miss.
"Theo Walcott really lacks savvy in front of goal," tweeted Arsenal Column.
"Walcott selected for his pace, (but Mitrovic's) red card means Newcastle sit deep and make him almost redundant," added Arseblog.
AP writer Jerome Pugmire noted: "(Arsenal are) more disjointed with him up front, but Giroud isn't scoring enough. Have to get a new striker.
It's the last one that will sting the most. Neither Walcott nor Olivier Giroud, who came on as a substitute, are good enough on their own. Arsenal need another striker.
Loser: Aleksandar Mitrovic
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Newcastle's Aleksandar Mitrovic received a red card and was sent off in the 16th minute following a high challenge on Arsenal's Francis Coquelin. The 20-year-old Serbian forward went over the ball and brought his studs down on Coquelin's shin. Referee Andre Marriner did not hesitate in showing the red card.
The decision generated controversy on social media, with some arguing that a yellow card would have been more appropriate. For what it's worth, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer tweeted that Newcastle "can't complain" because Mitrovic went "over the top."
Mitrovic's reputation might have preceded him to England, but regardless, he put himself in a bad position with a poor challenge. He gave the referee a decision to make, and Marriner decided to show the red card. That left Newcastle with a numerical disadvantage for more than 70 minutes.
Even though the hosts played well defensively, keeping Arsenal out for that long was too much to ask.
Loser: Newcastle
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Newcastle can and should take some positives from their defensive performance Saturday. Arsenal struggled to create danger and only scored on an own goal in the second half, more than 30 minutes after the red card.
But the Magpies are still winless this season through four games, and Steve McClaren's men have failed to score in each of their last three matches.
Newcastle narrowly avoided relegation last spring after winning just once—the last game of the season, in fact—in their last 11 matches. It's still very early, but the signs point to another tough campaign ahead.
