Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal: Key Stats and Player Ratings

Olivier Giroud

Arsenal returned to the top of the table as they squeezed out a 1-0 victory over in-form Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The two sides were evenly matched throughout the game, but Olivier Giroud managed to get on the end of a Theo Walcott free-kick to put an end to his recent scoring drought and take all three points back to London for the Gunners.

Newcastle United

Tim Krul (13) Made two saves and completed 79% of his distributions, a fantastic percentage for a goalkeeper.

Mathieu Debuchy (38) One of Newcastle’s most impressive performers. The Frenchman completed four clearances, three interceptions, one take-on and even had a shot on target. Will be disappointed however not to connect with any of his five crosses.

Fabricio Coloccini (22) Made four clearances and recorded a passing accuracy of 88%. Should be doing better with his duels though, winning two of four headed duels and just one of his three attempted tackles.

Mike Williamson (1) Made six successful clearances and won five of his seven aerial duels, but lost his only tackling attempt.

David Santon (20) Made 11 clearances and won all five of his aerial battles. Also completed two of his three crosses in a sound display.

Moussa Sissoko (-12) Conceded three fouls, lost both his headed duels and was successful in just one of three take-on attempts.

Chieck Tiote (28) Conceded two fouls, including the one that lead to Arsenal’s winner, but completed 85% of his passes and his one crossing attempt, while he won four tackles.

Yohann Cabaye (14) Completed 81% of his passes, but won only two of seven tackles and connected with only one of five crossing attempts.

Vernon Anita (15) Made five interceptions and was successful in his only take-on attempt, but failed to connect with either attempted cross.

Yoan Gouffran (-20) Failed with all three take-on attempts, found his man with only 62% of his passes and lost four headed duels before being hauled off.

Loic Remy (-2) Uncharacteriscally quiet performance from the Frenchman, who failed to have a single attempt at goal all game. Completed both of his take-on attempts however.

Subs:

Hatem Ben Arfa (-7) Failed to hit the target with either shot on goal and completed just five of eight attempted passes after being brought on with half an hour still to play.

Shola Ameobi (3) Hit the target with his only attempt on goal, but connected with only 40% of his ten passes.

Massadio Haidara (-13) Completed three of five passes and failed to connect with his sole crossing opportunity.

Arsenal

Wojciech Szczesny (27) Made two saves as part of four goalkeeping actions and suffered one foul to keep the pressure off Arsenal.

Bacary Sagna (21) Made nine successful clearances, but failed to find a red shirt with any of his three crosses and lost six out of ten aerial duels.

Per Mertesacker (22) Made a huge 16 clearances and completed 97% of his 37 attempted passes in another composed display from the gentle giant.

Laurent Koscielny (15) Made 13 clearances in addition to two interceptions, while a passing accuracy of 87% is none too shabby either.

Kieran Gibbs (-10) Failed to connect with any of his three crossing attempts and won only two of six tackles. A pass accuracy of 72% is far below his standards as well.

Mathieu Flamini (34) Made three interceptions, six clearances and completed 94% of 54 passing attempts as he provided an excellent safeguard for his defenders.

Jack Wilshere (-2) Off target with his only passing attempt and completed four of 11 take-on attempts. He also created more chances than any other Arsenal player (3).

Theo Walcott (28) Set up the winner for Giroud and also had two attempts on goal himself that drew saves from Tim Krul.

Tomas Rosicky (32) Had one shot on target, completed both take-on attempts and completed 86% of his passes in a fine display.

Santi Cazorla (2) Only completed 80% of his passes, but had one shot on target and made two clearances.

Olivier Giroud (8) Got the winner, but it was a frustrating display from Giroud, as two further attempts went off target, while he picked up a booking as well.

Subs:

Mikel Arteta (-1) Made two clearances, but completed only 71% of his 14 attempted passes after replacing Gibbs.

Carl Jenkinson (6) Made three successful clearances and won his only tackle after coming on as a late sub.

Nicklas Bendtner (2) Actually won a tackle and completed three out of four passing attempts in yet another late cameo appearance.