Premier League
Arsenal Top Newcastle To Leapfrog Spurs Into Third Place
The race for the Premier League top four will go down to the wire this season. Four teams vie for the final pair of Champions League places. Arsenal handled their business at home Monday night with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United. The victory sees Arsenal improbably nose two points in front of Spurs as the teams head for the season’s homestretch. Manchester United now sit 5th, behind Spurs on goal differential, while Chelsea reside in 6th, a point further back.
Even the most ambitious and optimistic Arsenal fans had essentially given up hope of overtaking spurs. In February Spurs had amassed a ten point lead over their North London neighbors. There was even still an outside chance for Spurs to win the title at that point. However, in typical Spurs fashion, they bottled it. Tottenham took only one point from their last five league matches while the Gunners found top form. It now appears more likely than not that St. Totteringham’s day will be celebrated for the first time in three years.
“You’ll always be s**t, you’ll always be s**t, Tottenham Hotspur, you’ll always be s**t,” was the chant from the crowd during the final ten minutes of the match. Tottenham play their long-awaited first match in their sparkling new stadium Wednesday. The Arsenal faithful wanted to remind them they’d be playing that match behind Arsenal in the table.
Ramsey Opens Scoring After Being Denied Cruelly by the Referee
Leading up to the match, there was much of the usual talk of Rafa Benitez’s teams being difficult to breakdown. Conventional wisdom looked like it may hold true as Arsenal dominated possession early, but couldn’t find the opener. The Gunners first real chance of the match found the back of the net on thirteen minutes. However, the celebrations were cut short by the referees whistle. Ramsey had done brilliantly to guide a corner into the far post. The referee, who didn’t have a great view, determined that Sokratis had held a defender away from the ball. Replays showed the decision to be questionable at best.
For a period, it looked like the decision had frustrated Arsenal and could play a major role in the match. Ramsey made sure that wasn’t the case. A half-hour in the Welshman did brilliantly to flick a ball towards the onrushing Lacazette. Ramsey spun towards goal and was fortunate to find the ball deflect into his path. It was brilliant play from Ramsey who had created his own luck. He made no mistake with his finish to slide the ball into the far post again with his left foot. This time the goal stood and the midfielder had his fourth league goal of the year.
Arsenal Nerves Settled by Lacazette
The Gunners remained in control of the match as the game reached the final quarter of an hour. But they couldn’t find a second. Nerves began to spread around the stadium as the fans knew what was at stake. A win would not only take them into third, it would take them above hated rivals Tottenham. Newcastle had been poor but remained in the game down only 1-0. Everyone knows Arsenal struggle to keep clean sheets. With Rondon, Perez, Kennedy and Muto all seeing minutes up front, Newcastle had significant attacking threats on the pitch to steal a point. The fans begged for an Arsenal second.
Arsenal had an attacking ace up their sleeve for just the occasion. The Gunners brought on the ill Aubameyang with a half-hour remaining. The striker looked dangerous immediately and ultimately combined with his favorite partner in crime with seven minutes remaining. Lacazette received the ball with his back to goal and flicked it up to Aubameyang’s head. With the defenders ball-watching, Lacazette continued his run. Aubameyang found him brilliantly with a headed pass. With only the keeper to beat, Lacazette lifted the ball delicately over his head with his first touch. The ball fell just below the crossbar to send the crowd into a frenzy. Arsenal’s star hit men have now combined for 30 league goals this term. The Gunners finally had the precious three points.
Arsenal Have Made the Emirates a Fortress
Arsenal’s home form has been outstanding. With only two of their final seven league matches at the Emirates, this match was a must win. Arsenal responded. The Gunners have now won ten league matches in a row at home. This is Arsenal’s longest such streak since 1998. In fact, they have only lost one league game at home all year, the season opener to Manchester City. That match was also the only league match at home in which Arsenal failed to score.
A key to the imperious home form is Mesut Özil, a player known for being stronger at home. The German turned in another man of the match performance and was a delight to watch. This was the fourth consecutive start for Özil, his longest streak of the season. Thankfully for Arsenal, Özil and manager Unai Emery appear to have ended their longstanding feud.
The Spanish coach has finally realized Özil makes Arsenal a far more dangerous team. He’s also found that Özil and Ramsey can play in the same midfield. These discoveries have been invaluable. Ramsey will be leaving the club in May, and Özil may be sold a few months later. While they are still in London, Emery needs to get everything he can out of the pair to get Arsenal back into the Champions League.
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Photo credit to Arsenal via Twitter
