Winning titles ain't always pretty. You won't be allowed to play your football all the time, and you're not going to stroll around and have the trophy handed to you. Unless you're PSG, that's not how it works. And this was a match that Newcastle should be smacking themselves with pin-infested table-tennis rackets. They should have won this game, but it's goals that get the cheddar...not opportunities.
Sanchez is a huge miss for Arsenal in their attack, and the Ox was struggling a bit to fill that gap that the Superstar Chilean left. Lost the ball a few times, found it hard to get in the game, but because of the talent and confidence that this boy had, he was able to get himself involved and was really pulling the important strings to the attacks that Arsenal launched.
But Newcastle had one of their best games and didn't look like a team fighting right down in the relegation zone. They kept getting opportunities and their star player, Wijnaldum, was causing Arsenal aggravation by picking up dangerous positions on the pitch with which to launch the counters that Arsenal were struggling to prevent. And it was down to the Blank Cech to save Arsenal's rear end when Wijnaldum was one-on-one but was denied by the helmet-one from the Czech Republic.
It looked like Arsenal were going to let it slip. With Leicester drawing, this was the chance for Arsenal to get breathing space. But the chances were not coming. Ramsey got himself in good areas, but began to show that old Aaron that aimed everywhere apart from the actual goal. I was ready to go on a rant as to how Arsenal don't have the character or balls to win the title, even when others mess up and hand it to them on a golden platter.
Then Koscielny came up with the goods...
It's always these kinds of matches where it's not happening for the attackers, that the most unlikely person manages to show them what to do. And it was a player who has been one of their most consistent for them. Right place and right time, to put Arsenal ahead and it was all about defending the lead and getting all those three points.
This doesn't now mean I proclaim Arsenal as the favorites, as that would be foolish and short-sighted. It's just another eventful weekend in the Premiership, with City yet to play but Leicester drawing at home and missing a penalty.
For now...it's Arsenal on top.
For now....
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HH
