3 Key Talking Points From Newcastle United vs Arsenal (1-2): Mixed Bag For Arsenal Strikers

Newcastle United vs Arsenal: 3 Key Talking Points

Olivier Giroud scored in his fifth consecutive Premier League game, but the Gunners had to fend off a spirited Newcastle comeback to secure their sixth successive Barclays Premier League win. Following Manchester City’s win over West Brom in the earlier kick-off, Arsenal knew that nothing less than a win will do as they look to continue their pursuit of second-placed Manchester City. After a bright start from both sides, Arsenal took control of the game thanks to the Frenchman’s predatory instinct.

Giroud’s first came from a Santi Cazorla free-kick which was flicked on by Danny Welbeck. Just four minutes later, he headed home his 17th goal of the season from a corner. The Gunners failed to add any more in the half and that almost came back to bite them. Moussa Sissoko’s calm finish just three minutes in the second half started a Newcastle comeback. But a combination of good goalkeeping from David Ospina and some sturdy defending ensured that Arsene Wenger’s side came away with all three points.

Here are the three major talking points.

1. What to make of Arsenal’s season

Although they were dumped out of the Champions League, the Gunners are still in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and are running Manchester City close for second place. With Liverpool and Manchester United destined to lose some points on Sunday, it looks as though their Champions League future is secure for another year. But would this be classified as a successful season for them? If they win the FA Cup, then the answer is yes. But then what about the league and their performances in Europe?

It certainly must be frustrating for Arsenal fans that their side can remain so consistent and yet inconsistent. For large stretches of this season, the Londoners have gone on winning runs just like the one they are on now. At times, their performances  have been far from convincing and yet they have managed to win. They have done well in a couple of big games but reverted back to their usual tendency of bottling it in the others. At no point in the season, have Arsene Wenger’s side looked as though they were going to win the league or even come close. While they may yet win silverware and finish in top four, is that what success is now? A FA Cup here and there, but consistently finishing in Champions League places, without ever looking like they are going to win either the Champions League or the league?

2. Magpies’ Effort Goes Unrewarded

Even with the managerial change, this season feels like every other under Mike Ashley. Aside from one good season when they finished fifth and exceeded all expectations, it has been a very monotonous ride for the Magpies. They have managed to do enough to stay up and not get involved in a relegation scrap, while not doing well enough to get into Europe, mid-table mediocrity has been their staple for some time now.

So it certainly couldn’t have been easy for their fans when they went 2-0 down in the first half. With nothing left to play for in the season, you would be forgiven for thinking that the home side would give up and take a hammering. But instead, the Magpies came out flying in the second half and showed that while they may not have much to play for, they will certainly give it their all. With a game against local rivals Sunderland coming up next week, the fight and hunger they showed in the second half will come in handy and might help them overturn their neighbors run of victories, even if it wasn’t ultimately enough against the Wenger’s side.

3. Mixed bag for Arsenal’s strikers

Aside from his disappointing performance against Monaco in the first leg, where he missed a flurry of chances, Giroud has certainly had a very good season, considering he was out injured early on. Eight goals in his last nine league games, eight in six against Newcastle and thanks to his brace, the French striker is now the joint leading league goalscorer for the Londoners along with Alexis Sanchez. He scored goals, linked up play well and in the second half even took a few knocks for his troubles and showed just why he is the best striker in the side.

But the man they brought in to replace, or at least compliment Giroud showed once again why he isn’t the finished article, even at 24. Danny Welbeck is a wonderful athlete, he is a pretty good footballer too, he covers plenty of yards and is versatile enough to play as a striker or on the wings. In more ways than one, he is a very useful player to have in the squad, but the thing that stops the Englishman from becoming a truly world-class striker is his end product. Just like he did against Newcastle, far too often, he either fluffs his line in front of goal and puts in the wrong ball from the wings. At 24, that can no longer be written off as a lack of experience and it is time Welbeck did something about or he might find himself looking out for another club soon.