Xhaka Peach, Ozil Calm Finish Sign Off Arsenal's Win At Newcastle
15th September 2018
Ciaran Clark stoppage time header not enough to rescue hosts from 1-2 defeat to the Gunners at St. James' Park
- The Swiss midfielder is no stranger to goals from long-range but this effort had precision as well as power, a curling effort into the top corner shortly after the restart
- Ozil was calmness personified to slot the rebound past Martin Dubravka for Gunners second goal
- It was an impressive change of pace from Unai Emery’s side after a pretty humdrum first half, during which Newcastle gave the visitors a few problems
- A third goal looked well within Arsenal and Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Lacazette all went close
NEWCASTLE, England- Granit Xhaka scored a peach of a free-kick and Mesut Ozil struck on his 200th appearance as Arsenal FC came on strong in the second half to beat Newcastle United FC at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
The Swiss midfielder is no stranger to goals from long-range but this effort had precision as well as power, a curling effort into the top corner shortly after the restart.
That gave the Gunners a grip on the game that was tightened by Ozil at the end of a patient, probing move that came alive when Nacho Monreal’s deft pass found Xhaka in space on the left.
He picked out Alex Lacazette for a shot that was blocked, and Ozil was calmness personified to slot the rebound past Martin Dubravka.
It was an impressive change of pace from Unai Emery’s side after a pretty humdrum first half, during which Newcastle gave the visitors a few problems.
Clever pass
The Magpies tested Petr Cech with a string of deliveries from wide positions, but the veteran goalkeeper’s handling has been solid all season and it was here too.
Arsenal got going once Ozil got the measure of the game. As ever Hector Bellerin was a reliable outlet on the right but the best chance of the first half came for the visitors came down the left.
Lacazette slid in Aaron Ramsey with a clever pass and Arsenal supporters waited to see if the Wales midfielder would take on the shot or pick out Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang on the edge of the six-yard box.
But Ramsey did neither - to his immense frustration.
Sokratis made three crunching challenges to stop Newcastle in their tracks but, despite bossing possession, Emery’s charges struggled to carve out openings.
That changed after the break when the team - including half-time substitute Lucas Torreira - went up a gear.
A third goal looked well within Arsenal and Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Lacazette all went close.
But two was enough, despite a stoppage-time header from Ciaran Clark.
-Report by www.arsenalfc.com