Andy Carroll made headlines for the right reasons as his goal gave
Newcastle a shock 1-0 win over title-chasing Arsenal at Emirates
Stadium.
- Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle United - As it happened
The England Under-21 striker, tipped to feature in the senior squad for
the friendly with France later this month, had started the day on the
front pages following allegations about his private life.
However, under the close eye of watching England boss Fabio Capello, the
Newcastle number nine headed in what proved to be the winner at the end
of the first half.
Although Arsenal twice hit the woodwork through Cesc Fabregas' deflected
free-kick and Theo Walcott, the Gunners were well below par and their
miserable afternoon was compounded by the dismissal of centre-back
Laurent Koscielny in stoppage time for a professional foul.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had also found his personal life under the
media spotlight ahead of this fixture.
Nevertheless, the French coach will have expected nothing but 100% focus
from his team, whom he felt were complacent when throwing away an early
lead in their midweek European tie.
After an initial spell of pressure from Newcastle, Arsenal slowly saw
built momentum.
Walcott chased a long pass upfield which was smothered by keeper Tim
Krul, before Marouane Chamakh just failed to collect Alex Song's pass at
the edge of a crowded penalty area.
Newcastle had been thumped 4-0 by Arsenal in the Carling Cup clash at St
James Park a fortnight ago, but went into this game buoyed by their
thrashing of local rivals Sunderland.
Arsenal - looking to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea, who play at
Liverpool later this afternoon - almost took the lead on 11 minutes when
Fabregas' deflected 22-yard free-kick crashed against the crossbar
after ricocheting off the wall.
The Gunners captain was then played into the right side of the penalty
area, but was quickly crowded out before Walcott's chip across the
six-yard box was headed behind.
Arsenal, though, were left frustrated as Newcastle broke up play well,
and were awarded a few free-kicks which were delivered direct into the
penalty area.
The atmosphere went a bit flat as half-time approached, with Arsenal not
really able to get near their usual fluidity.
When Fabregas was slipped in down the right by Samir Nasri, his shot at
the near post was blocked into the sidenetting as the home fans
continued to grow restless.
The Emirates Stadium, though, almost erupted when Nasri's drive appeared
to be heading for the top corner - only for Krul to pull-off a fine
one-handed save.
Newcastle took a shock lead on the stroke of half-time when a deep
free-kick into the Arsenal box from Joey Barton was met by Carroll, who
got there ahead of Lukasz Fabianski to nod the visitors in front.
At the start of the second half, Arsenal hit the woodwork again when
Walcott darted into the right side of the area from Jack Wilshere's pass
and lashed in an angled drive, which crashed against the underside of
the bar with Krul beaten.
Arsenal continued to press, with Song cutting the ball back across the
six-yard box, but Chamakh was unable to connect.
With 35 minutes left, Wenger made a change when he sent on Andrey
Arshavin to replace Nasri and then introduced Robin van Persie for the
Dutchman's first appearance since the end of August after an ankle
injury.
Van Persie's first touch was a lovely backheel down the left, with Gael
Clichy then delivering a low cross which was just too far ahead of
Arshavin.
Newcastle, though, continued to show little regard for reputation as
they looked to hold possession in a match which started to become
somewhat scrappy as Wilshere was left in a heap following a challenge
from Barton, but the referee took no action before defender Mike
Williamson send a header wide from a corner.
Wenger's last throw of the dice came with 17 minutes left when Nicklas
Bendtner replaced Wilshere.
Arshavin almost weaved his way clear, but Fabricio Coloccini made a
saving tackle in the six-yard box.
Arsenal had pace in abundance up front now, but Newcastle continued to
hold their ground.
Fabregas' diving header was straight at the keeper following Arshavin's
run as Wenger looked to the heavens.
Arsenal threw long balls forwards, but Newcastle were not to be denied a
shock victory as the hosts finished with 10 men after centre-half
Koscielny was shown a straight red card for hauling down substitute Nile
Ranger.
Source: DSG