Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle: 5 Talking Points

Arsenal travailed to an important 1-0 home victory against Newcastle United to keep their position intact at the top of Premier League standings in what turned out to be a not-so-ideal game for the Gunners. After a rather uneventful first half in which both teams failed to create chances, it was Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny who broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute.So at a time when Leicester City have failed to win, Arsenal now extend their lead at the top of the League standings to 2 points above Leicester City and 3 points above Manchester City.Here are the major talking points from the game at the Emirates:

#1 Petr Cech is invaluable to Arsenal

Petr Cech could be Arsenal’s ticket to the league title

It turned out to be yet another game and another clean sheet for Petr Cech. But against a resilient Newcastle side, Cech had to work very hard in order to save his side from going behind on separate occasions. At a time when the Arsenal defense looked rusty, Cech was always there to deny the likes of Wijnaldum and Mitrovic.

Chelsea captain John Terry had famously claimed that Petr Cech was worth between 12 to 15 points a season. So when he broke the Premier League record of clean sheets against Bournemouth last Monday, Petr Cech has now kept 9 clean sheets in just 20 League appearances for the Gunners this season. As a result, the Czech goalkeeper has already saved 12-15 points for Arsenal ever since making his move in the summer.

Cech denied Georginio Wijnaldum three times with super saves. The decisive contribution made by the goalkeeper kept Arsenal in the game and when they were put under significant first-half pressure, Cech was utterly faultless with his handling. His penalty area presence was also vast. Hence, the Czech Republic man is invaluable to the Gunners.

#2 Good performance nonetheless for the visitors

Janmaat has been one of Newcastle’s most consistent performers this season

The bottom line for the visitors remains that they are among the teams who could get relegated this season and have lost each of their three matches during this festive season by a 1-0 scoreline. They were still actually the better team for significant periods in the game. Yet performing more impressively against the bigger clubs, or during matches that are being televised, is becoming something of a pattern this year for the club.

But a few performances on the day were impressive. The team played a good game overall and fell behind to a surprise goal from Koscielny. On the day, Daryl Janmaat was one player who established himself as the most consistent right-back this season and was again excellent in keeping both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain quiet.

Newcastle showed the same grit shown at Tottenham and in beating Liverpool. But somewhere, from deep within, they had a spirit and a heart worthy of getting even the win at the Emirates. In Moussa Sissoko, Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum, they have some quality players. And on such a day, the players showed they have a pride and a spirit worthy of the Newcastle shirt.

#3 Arsenal\'s 100th 1-0 win in the Premier League

Wenger’s men have showed they can hold on to win tight games without succumbing to pressure late on

On a rainy afternoon in North London, at a time when Leicester City, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are all chasing Arsenal for the top spot, the hosts grind out an important victory against an ever-threatening Newcastle United side.

It wasn’t quite a perfect performance from Arsenal by any means, but Newcastle wasted a couple of really good goalscoring opportunities to get themselves on the scoresheet, and Arsenal made the most of it. That is exactly what Champions do in the longer run of the English Premier League.

Reigning champions, Chelsea had played out such games last term to get the title, and Arsenal’s performance did send a reminder to everyone that they can be patient too. When Arsenal had a flamboyant game against Bournemouth last Monday, it was the exact opposite Arsenal team which turned out vs Newcastle.

But with all 3 points at the end of the final whistle at the Emirates, Arsenal have now extended their record of winning by 1-0 to 100 times in English Premier League history. And if they continue to give performances like these, Arsene Wenger is well on course to end his 11 year wait for Premier League title.

#4 Oxlade-Chamberlain must impress!

Oxlade-Chamberlain has failed to capitalise on chances presented to him owing to Arsenal’s injury crisis

Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should surely emerge into an excellent Premier League player one day. Fans have wanted him to step up, and maybe shine like Alexis Sanchez has. He has too many attributes to himself which should not stop him from being a great player. But, for now, a tendency to frustrate and get frustrated is outweighing the occasional flashes of real quality he brings to the team.

That is why he has rarely started in the Premier League this season for the Gunners before the last couple of games and has often been kept out of the team in recent weeks by Joel Campbell. Something is not quite right with the Ox. Those at Arsenal have suggested that his confidence might have been affected by an excessive tendency to harshly assess his own performances.

The added concern for the midfielder should be that the opportunity that is likely to present itself over the next month is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. The absence of players such as Alexis Sanchez, Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and even Danny Welbeck through injury is a perfect chance for Oxlade-Chamberlain to show that he belongs at Arsenal and he must impress everyone.

#5 Both sides need new signings!

McClaren desperately needs reinforcements as he has upto 10 players on the treatment table

Arsene Wenger and Steve McClaren have lots to ponder upon this coming week. Even though the hosts managed to get the three points, the whole Arsenal team looked dead on their feet. They had not played since Monday and even then Wenger’s players looked tired, jaded and ran on empty cylinders.

Arsenal have had a busy schedule just like other Premier League teams participating in Europe, and the squad is too thin because of the injuries. Hence, Wenger needs to address it before it harms them. With so many players out injured, the biggest problem for the Frenchman is that they have got nothing on the bench to change a game when needed. Therefore, a couple of signings in the transfer window may help.

As for Newcastle, they have not been far behind in terms of injuries and have been plagued just like Arsenal. Steve McClaren will be looking at his board and owners to provide him with the funds to cover up for the injuries by bringing new players who can help them stay out of the relegation zone.

The Magpies lie in 18th position but are just two points off Swansea who are 17th. The visitors had 10 players out with injury, and with none of them expected to be back soon, Newcastle desperately need more options.