The saying goes something like a win is a win is a win and that certainly applies to Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle United yesterday.
It was not the most exciting game we have ever seen, in fact, it was slightly boring but Arsenal did deserve to leave St James Park with all three points and as usual, there are things that can be taken from the game.
Defence far better organised
The fact that Newcastle was restricted to just two shots on target and at no stage looked likely to score is not because they are rubbish but because the defence did a great job at nullifying the Newcastle attack. There was no panic, there was an assurance that has not been seen in a long time and simply put, they were very well organised.
Joe Willock is here to stay
The young midfielder did not do anything spectacular, he had an average game really but he did look comfortable, he looked like he had been playing in that position for years, he showed no nerves and did just as well, if not better, than his peers. Willock is here to stay and will play an important role throughout the season.
Aubameyang is more than just a striker
One shot, one goal, that is clinical and that is Aubameyang but there is so much more to the Gabon internationals’ game. He was electric down the flanks and on more than one occasion tracked back to help out in both midfield and defence, he has immense versatility and that was on show yesterday.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan simply not good enough
It is becoming harder and harder to justify his inclusion in the team, he offers almost nothing, he had a couple of little runs but no end product, his passing is poor, his judgement is poor and more often than not when the ball went to him the attack got broken up.
Shkodran Mustafi has no future at Arsenal
He was not even on the subs bench and that tells you all you need to know and with Rob Holding on his way back and David Luiz on board, it is hard to see when the German defender will ever get a game. Maybe in the Carabao Cup or as a sub in the early part of the Europa League but I doubt we will see much of him in a Premier League game. Mustafi has no future at the Emirates, that is now clear.