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Club Focus – Arsenal – Newcastle peg back the Gunners in a game of two halves
Arsenal’s second-half capitulation against Newcastle United left the Gunners rueing a missed opportunity as they dropped two points in the title race. The only saving grace in an otherwise demoralising weekend was that Manchester United’s unbeaten run came to an end in Saturday’s evening kick-off. This maintained Arsenal’s position as the only side to complete a league season unbeaten in the modern era, and more pertinently, turned two points lost into a point gained on their principal rival in the race for the title.
The old footballing cliché ‘it’s a game of two halves’ was given a new lease of life on Saturday as Arsenal unthinkably capitulated to cede a commanding half-time lead. Having started so confidently and comfortably, establishing a four-goal lead within the opening half hour, the Gunners were on cruise control as they headed into the interval 4-0 up. The Londoners showed all of their trademark swagger and verve, slicing the Newcastle defence open at will as Robin van Persie continued his impressive purple patch. Complacency may ultimately be to blame for the side’s woeful second half performance, but the turning point in the match came when Abou Diaby was dismissed early in the second half. Diaby reacted angrily to Joey Barton’s hefty challenge, grabbing the midfielder by the neck and leaving referee Phil Dowd no option but to dismiss the rangy Frenchman. The red card set in motion a catastrophic string of events for the Gunners, culminating in Cheik Tiote rifling home the equaliser just before the 90 minutes were up.
Whilst Diaby’s dismissal was not the sole reason for the disappointing second half display, his act of petulance sparked a wider sense of panic in the Arsenal ranks. Wenger’s men lost their composure on the ball and failed to maintain possession sufficiently well to alleviate the mounting pressure from the Magpies. Ill discipline also played its part as the Gunners conceded two penalties, although Laurent Koscielny may well feel aggrieved at the awarding of the second. Yet, for all of the dismay and disbelief at meekly surrendering such a handsome lead, the day could have been even worse had Leon Best not been incorrectly ruled offside with Tomas Rosicky languishing behind the defensive line. How Arsenal react to this stinging setback will be key to their aspirations in an increasingly important month, and with a midweek international break, the players will have plenty of time to reflect upon this most disappointing of results.
In only the second game since transfer window closed, Wenger’s side shipped four goals and lost Johan Djourou through injury. With the Swiss absent and Diaby suspended, the burden on Alex Song, an absentee from Saturday’s match, increases significantly. Song’s combative midfield presence was sorely missed on Saturday and with Wenger again reduced to two centre halves, the Cameroonian may be pressed into a defensive berth. In only the first week of February, Wenger may be regretting his inability or unwillingness to strengthen the defence in the winter transfer window.
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