Arsenal vs. Newcastle: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Arsenal moved clear atop the Barclays Premier League with a difficult 1-0 victory at home to Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Gunners failed to produce their best football but scored the game's only goal through center-back Laurent Koscielny in the 72nd minute. Newcastle created several chances but could not beat Petr Cech in Arsenal's goal.
Coupled with Leicester City's draw against Bournemouth, the result gave Arsenal a two-point lead at the top of the table. Newcastle remained in 18th place and face a relegation battle in the second half of the season.
Here, Bleacher Report selects winners and losers from the match.
Winner: Laurent Koscielny
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Laurent Koscielny doesn't score often, but the central defender has made something of a habit out of finding the back of the net at important times for Arsenal.
On the final day of the 2012-13 season, he notched the winner against Newcastle as the Gunners sealed fourth place and UEFA Champions League qualification. A year later, he tallied the equalizer in Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Hull City in the FA Cup final.
And on Saturday, with Arsenal struggling against relegation-threatened Newcastle, Koscielny made another critical offensive contribution in the 72nd minute. After Newcastle were unable to fully clear a Mesut Ozil corner, Olivier Giroud won a header near the penalty spot, sending the ball toward the far post.
Anticipating the chance, Koscielny slipped free from his marker and poked the ball past Rob Elliot for the winner. Arsenal had been nowhere near their best, but thanks to a decisive attacking moment from their best defender, the Gunners were ahead.
The strike capped a fine performance from the Frenchman, who might have been Arsenal's man of the match even without the goal. According to Squawka, Koscielny completed 91 percent of his passes and recorded five clearances, four interceptions and three blocks.
As Arsenal continue to push for the title, Koscielny's contributions at both ends of the pitch will continue to be important.
"We need to be focused," the defender said, per BBC Sport. "Sometimes you can play well, today we didn't play well at times, but we won and that's the most important thing when you are fighting for the title."
Loser: Newcastle Taking Chances
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Newcastle are mired in a relegation battle after struggling mightily through the first half of the season. But for most of Saturday's game, the visitors were the better side.
Manager Steve McClaren opted for an effective gameplan, as noted by Michael Cox at ESPN FC:
"Newcastle manager Steve McClaren chose two strikers -- Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic -- in his starting XI but actually deployed a cautious, counter-attacking 4-5-1 formation, with Perez on the left flank, and Georginio Wijnaldum playing as the No. 10.
After a nervous first 15 minutes, when Perez struggled to cope with Bellerin's overlapping, Newcastle stifled Arsenal excellently. Tiote marked Mesut Ozil admirably, while Coloccini matched Giroud's bursts towards the near post and Jack Colback was on hand to watch Ramsey's powerful midfield runs.
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The Magpies had several good chances to take the lead, especially in the second half. Two minutes after the restart, Georginio Wijnaldum raced through on goal but couldn't beat Petr Cech one-on-one. Just one minute later, Ayoze Perez knocked down a cross for Aleksandar Mitrovic, who put the ball over the bar from close range.
In the 65th minute, Chancel Mbemba rose highest to meet a Moussa Sissoko cross, but he directed his free header way off target. Nine minutes from time, Mitrovic headed over from six yards after beating Laurent Koscielny to a cross.
Had they converted any of those chances, Newcastle could have taken a point from this match. With even a decent day of finishing, they could have won.
Winner: Petr Cech
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Although Newcastle were wasteful in front of goal, Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech deserves credit for his contribution. After setting the Premier League record for clean sheets last week, the veteran made a few good saves to shut out Newcastle.
In the 43rd minute, Aaron Ramsey mishit a clearance straight to Georginio Wijnaldum, who turned and fired a shot on target from a tight angle. Cech made himself big and kept the ball out.
Shortly after the restart, he made another crucial stop against Wijnaldum, who was clean through on goal following a quick Newcastle attack. Cech showed excellent decision-making again, coming off his line to save one-on-one.
When Arsenal aren't at their best, it's critical for Cech to have a good game. That was the case Saturday, and it helped the Gunners win a game they might otherwise have lost.
Winner: Arsenal Winning When Not at Their Best
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A football cliche holds that, in order to win the title, a challenger must win games like this. Thus, Arsenal will be pleased that, despite playing well below their best, they managed to claim victory.
Mesut Ozil, who has been so deadly in the attacking third lately, was unable to assist or score a goal on this day. He and several other Arsenal attackers appeared fatigued after playing so often during their side's busy holiday fixture list.
"It was not pretty, nor was it particularly effective," wrote Saj Chowdhury at BBC Sport. "But it was a win that kept the belief going among Arsenal fans that this might be their season."
That last part is all that matters. Arsenal claimed the full three points, and with Leicester drawing at home to Bournemouth, the Gunners are now two points clear atop the table. It's still to early to declare Arsenal the title favorites, but winning this game was certainly a good sign.
Losing in poor fashion at Southampton on Boxing Day was a bitter blow, but Arsenal have recovered nicely. A win at Liverpool next Wednesday would only strengthen the belief that Arsene Wenger's men can go on and claim the title.
"It was about solidarity, tired legs and taking a chance from a set piece," Wenger said, as noted on the Premier League's website. "We were not at our best today, but over Christmas in four games we took nine points so we can look back and say we did 75 percent of our job as we lost at Southampton."
Loser: Newcastle's Relegation Fight
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Saturday's defeat marked the ninth straight time Newcastle have lost to Arsenal, but that's not even the Magpies' biggest concern. With more than half the season played, Steve McClaren's men remain mired in a relegation dogfight.
This loss kept Newcastle in 18th place, but with Swansea City losing at Manchester United, the gap remains just two points. Most distressing for McClaren, however, must be the realization that his side played well on Saturday, only to lose yet again.
"We asked for a performance and the players gave it, but we conceded one soft goal and lost the game," McClaren said, as noted on the Premier League's website. "You can't fault the performance; we just have to be more ruthless at both ends."
