Arsenal edge close encounter with the Magpies

Newcastle United ended 2013 with defeat and disappointment against Arsenal.

But they at least put up a bit of a fight against the Premier League table toppers.

A second half goal from Olivier Giroud grabbed the points for Arsene Wenger’s men on a day of few clear cut chances for the Magpies.

 

The Magpies had a great opportunity on 12 minutes when Yohan Cabaye clipped the ball through for Mathieu Debuchy but he failed to control the ball right in front of goal and the threat was snuffed out by the Gunners.

Three minutes later Cabaye sent an effort just over.

On 18 minutes Loic Remy hooked in a decent looking cross from the left hand side and Moussa Sissoko’s power header was held on to by Wojciech Szczesny.

With 25 minutes on the clock Debuchy clipped another effort wide and Arsenal had served up very little to suggest they were going to stroll to victory.

At the end of the first half Sissoko had an effort pushed over the bar by Szczesny and United won a corner.

From Cabaye’s flag kick Debuchy rose to crack the underside of the bar and Arsenal cleared the danger.

The game was still locked at 0-0 after the hour mark and Alan Pardew made what looked like a positive move to introduce Hatem Ben Arfa.

Five minutes later though and the Magpies fell behind after switching off at the back.

Cheick Tiote took out Carzola and Theo Walcott’s free-kick was met by Olivier Giroud who flicked home a slight touch to beat Krul.

The United keeper should have done better with that one, but the Magpies weren’t out of the game.

Pardew threw on Shola Ameobi for the last 17 minutes and overlooked Papiss Cisse.

With 10 minutes left there was bemusement from some sections of the St James’ Park crowd when Pardew introduced left-back Massadio Haidara when his side required a goal and left Cisse on the bench.

There was hope when Szczesny’s clearance cannoned off Remy but rolled wide.

A flurry of late corners saw even Tim Krul enter the penalty area as United tried to salvage a point but they couldn’t push the Gunners hard enough.

And on a day when United needed to really push a weakened Arsenal team they managed just three shots on target.

ATTENDANCE: 52,161

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Santon; Anita (74', Sh. Ameobi), Tiote, Cabaye; Sissoko (79', Haidara), Remy, Gouffran (62', Ben Arfa).

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs (70', Arteta), Flamini, Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott (80', Jenkinson), Cazorla, Giroud (85', Bendtner)