Newcastle had two shots in the entire match and scored from one of them... that sounds familiar doesn't it? The fact that that the defenders stood off Dyer cannot take away from the fact that it was a well taken goal.
The result of this match hinges on how well Arsenal deal with the inevitably high number of chances they'll create. If they get one early on, things could get messy for the visitors. Arsenal haven't lost at home since February and I can't conceive it happening tomorrow.
The result of the game did hinge on the way Arsenal dealt with the high number of goal scoring opportunities. They didn't score from open play, which included some 20 shots on goal. Arsenal never looked like losing to Newcastle, but equally the goals never looked like coming.
What Arsenal Need: A good performance from Baptista is required so he can start to try and cement his place in the team. As yet I don't know where he'll fit in and who'll be sacrificed but I do hope he establishes himself in the starting eleven.
I felt Baptista was uneffective. He looked uncomfortable on the ball and kept slipping over. Maybe he made the wrong boot choice before the game. I have always been an admirer of his but I'm not sure where he would fit into a starting eleven.
Things To Watch Out For: I'm still keeping an eye on the way Henry captains the team, as with eveything else associated with Henry, we expect him to captain with class.
Henry was very positive when he came on. He applauded the effort of his team mates, which I was pleased to see.
Hopes For The Match: I hope Arsenal exhibit a ruthless and aggressive streak. I want them to get the ball forward as quickly as possible, using every opportunity to counter-attack with pace.
Arsenal still don't attack with the urgency and pace exhibited by the Untouchables. After the Henry free-kick, which I called just before he struck it, the urgency increased but thats what we need to see from the first whistle.
I also hope that Arsenal attack Newcastle on the wings, where their pace should cause the Magpies defenders some problems.
I wish there was more attacks down the left wing, as the Gunners currently play a little one sided on the wings. Taylor was booked in the first half for a desperate lunge on Eboue but then Arsenal didn't pressure him knowing he was on a yellow card.
In the middle of the park I hope Arsenal let their technical superiority show, keeping the ball away from the opposition for as long as possible.
I concede that Arsenal did display technical superiority in the midfield... now I sound like Wenger, but they seem more content to pass laterally than move forwards with the ball.
My team selection for this game:
Henry (Adebayor if he is rested)
van Persie, Baptista, Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb
Clichy, Gallas, Toure, Eboue
Lehmann
Subs: Almunia, Walcott, Senderos, Denilson, Hoyte (Adebayor if Henry starts the match).
My team selection was correct, but I felt that Arsenal missed Gilberto terribly. When he plays you hardly notice him, but when he's not there you miss him like crazy. For all his effort, Flamini couldn't fill his shoes and I hope the Brazilian will be back for the Hamburg game.
Unavailable:
Henry (potentially) - Wenger was furious that Domenech played both Gallas and Henry for the full 90 minutes in the mid-week friendly. It means that Wenger may sit Henry on the bench against Newcastle and save him for the important Champions League game on Tuesday.
Ljungberg - Lack of match fitness and had a reaction to some cheese, should be ok for the Hamburg match.
Gilberto - Away in Brazil for "family reasons and sickness reasons" but will be flying back on Sunday night and should train on Monday with a view to playing against Hamburg.
Rosicky - Still out with a hamstring injury and will be out for the Hamburg game too.
Diaby - On course to return in January after suffering a fracture-dislocated ankle last season.
Lauren - Still rehabilitating from a knee injury that has kept him out since January 21st.
Long-term issues: I may not be popular when I say this but I believe the 06-07 Gunners can't play the same style of football as the untouchables of 03-04. I personally think that team was better to watch as you really felt they could score with every attack, whereas this season they have been less potent in front of goal.
With Pires gone and Ljungberg less evident, Arsenal don't have the same attacking impetus as they used to. The unstoppable counter-attacking has all but disappeared and this is why the goals have been more hard to come by. This season Arsenal just aren't getting enough people in the opposing team's box.
Similarly, I think Henry is wasted in a 4-5-1 and as yet this season he hasn't really scored a typical Henry break-away type goal. I believe Fabregas should be encouraged to look for the forward pass more quickly and stop slowing the game down by playing the ball across the midfield so often.
Arsenal's current form is frustrating and I will address this problem in a dedicated post later in the week.
Prediction: Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0
Score: Arsenal 1 Newcastle 1