Arsenal were incredible as they beat Newcastle 2-0 on their own turf. Many things helped the Gunners do something other PL teams haven’t been able to do this season (except Liverpool), but one may ask, “What decisions helped the Gunners do it?”
Sticking with Jorginho
After resting Thomas Partey last time out against Chelsea, his starting against a physical Newcastle was obvious. But that wasn’t the case. Arteta boldly started Jorginho, benching Partey once again. Seeing the Italian boss the midfield, I bet many Gooners were asking themselves, “Why hasn’t this guy been starting?” Many who watched the game noted that the former Blue was deservedly the man of the match. Let’s not forget that before opting to bench Partey, Arsenal had gone four games without a win. In those games, one observation was that Partey wasn’t playing as well as we know he can. Jorginho has now started in two, and those two have been wins.
Managing the game
Arsenal have been great in recent weeks but have struggled to maintain momentum. Like the Liverpool and West Ham games, the Gunners had everything in them to take commanding leads but ended up blowing these chances. Against Newcastle, one of the best teams in the PL at the moment, Arsenal managed to contain everything thrown at them. The Magpies were off to a bright start, but Arteta’s boys were alert; they actually got a crucial goal in the 14th minute that gave them every leverage to hold on to that game. In the second half, Howe’s boys tried to force Arsenal into errors to get something out of the game but didn’t succeed; instead, they were the ones to make an error, with Schar scoring an own goal after brilliant pressure from Martinelli. With the energy levels Newcastle play at, it was nice to see Arsenal contain them.
Getting the Subs Right
While Arsenal were not winning a few weeks ago, many questioned Arteta’s substitutions. The team just failed to maintain momentum throughout the game. Some argued he was not making the subs at the right moment, thus not impacting the game, or that he was subbing off the wrong players and keeping those who weren’t at their best, like Saka and Partey, in games they were looking out of sorts). Against Newcastle, we have to agree that he got his substitutions right. The Tierney-Zinchenko 60th-minute substitution was a brilliant tactical switch. Zinchenko was good at building going forward, but defensively he had question marks. Tierney’s introduction cautioned Arsenal defensively for the last 30 minutes. Fighting the temptation of not introducing Trossard and Partey earlier was also justified; many would have been keen to see them enter the fray in the 60th minute.
Anyway what else did Arsenal get right to beat this improved Newcastle side?
Sam P
Mikel Arteta buzzing after Newcastle United 0-2 Arsenal – This game was all about pride..
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
The substitutions were spot-on, but we were also lucky not to concede an early goal by Jacob Murphy
I hope we’ll keep Xhaka, Jorginho and Zinchenko when Brighton visit us, to break their defense
Keeping Jesus in the CF position was also required to deal with Newcastle CBs’ strength. He worked his socks off to annoy those defenders and to help out our defensive midfielders
One thing I’ve liked with Arteta’s philosophy:
If u have a bad performance, u’ll be benched next match
If the person that played in your stead, had a great performance, he’ll be rewarded with another starting next match
Therefore that makes me believe Tierney is starting next match
We saw that philosophy bring Martinelli into the starting over Smith-Rowe last season
Same with Lacazette when he was always having great performances from the bench
Same when Nketiah took Lacazette back to the bench when he was nolonger scoring
Same with Leno and Ramsdale
Same with Jorginho and Partey
Same with Kiwior and Holding
But if the person that replaced u just had a normal performance, you’ll get your starting position back next match
Maybe. But I think Arteta would prefer Zinchenko’s playmaking abilities for the remaining two home games, to dictate the tempo
Tierney might be prepared for our visit at Nottingham Forest’s turf
A fee flaws in this so called philosophy that does not exist.
– Saka recently
– Zinny for quite a while now
– Troassd benched for Jesus yet Trosaad was most inform player
I think one glaring omission above, is not mentioning Kiwor’s strengthening of our defence in the last two games.
The young man is on track to emulating Martin Keown in the not so distant future. Credit must go where it’s due.
Yes definitely. Is it a coincidence that Saliba gets injured and we stop keeping clean sheets and don’t win several games in a row, then Kiwior comes in and immediately it’s back to back wins? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not picking on Rob Holding, but the back-ups have to be of a better grade now if it’s chasing 1st/2nd rather than 4th while also competing in the Champion’s League going forward, and so far Kiwior is looking good.
Yossarian, It s not amatter at all, of so called”picking “on Rob Holding.
It is the truth and the truth is always the duity of ALL fans to say that Holding , loyal and likeable as he is , is simply WAY BELOW, the standard a great team and a would be greater team still(next season) need or can afford to CARRY as a passenger.
Either you believe , as I DO, in putting the interests of the team before that of any particular player, OR you are a very strange type of fan indeed, to think the player more important than the team.
Simple and as obvious, as that!
Indeed the Italian Midfield maestro was our main man. However, Kiwior too must be praised for his rock solid defensive performance. I see a Martin Keon in the young lad.
Saka has played a lot of games for us but I feel playing Trossard on that wing would help us put more pressure on the opponents for now.
Man City can still lose to Everton and Chelsea. The league is ours
The prospect of Zinchenko facing the likes of Solly March and the speedy Brennan Johnson does not appeal to me and hopefully Arteta will recognise the improvement in our back four against Newcastle following upon the introduction of a proper left back.Zinchenko has contributed precious little to our attacking cause lately but he has been exposed as the prime weakness in defence.If Tierney does not play against Brighton it will be an absolute disgrace.
We first give Zinchenko the start when they are taking his weakness as advantage then we through in Tieney, And i would think we start the man from Brighton and bench Sake to keep starding the game and come on as sub, as for the rest NO change.
“Arteta boldly started Jorginho, benching TP”
Come on now! it took MA 4 games to do what many of us could see and were asking for.also, Zinchenko starting and KT coming on for him early in the 2nd half,is something that should have happened several times already.
Apart from that,he got everything else spot on.
Benching TP, was good planning, he panicks a lot when the team is not in the lead, and he’s been thinking he doesn’t have a matched replacement.
Now he can work on his form as Jhiogihno takes us forward