Koscielny the Hero as Arsenal see off plucky Newcastle

Laurent Koscielny’s acrobatic finish was the difference between Newcastle and Arsenal, as the Gunners scraped an all-important Champions League place in an excruciatingly tight fixture on the last day of the season.

Arsenal went into the game wanting to secure that vital 4th spot in the table to qualify for the Champions League next season, while Newcastle just wanted to give their fans something to cheer about after a simply appalling campaign.

The game began as you might expect it; Arsenal were pinging the ball about as usual, making those little triangles and creating space for attackers. Unfortunately for them, a tight Newcastle back four wouldn’t allow them inside the penalty area. Credit to Fabrizio Coloccini for coming back from injury. The Argentine brought back the defensive solidity they’d been missing for weeks. It was recently when Liverpool thumped them 6-0, after all. 

The only early chance Arsenal were given was when Theo Walcott received the ball on the right hand side of the box, only to fire narrowly over the bar.

That wasn’t to say Newcastle kept quiet. Makeshift left back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa showed some very quick feet for a natural centre back to get past his marker and find Papiss Cisse, who turned with speed and shot just over the bar with his weaker foot. Alarm bells for Arsenal in under eight minutes.

Newcastle continued to persist-they’d started brighter than Arsenal- and Yoan Gouffran cross was almost turned in by Cisse, who went on to foul his marker, Per Mertesacker.

It wasn’t destined to be easy for Arsenal. A controversial choice in central midfield due to his injury problems of recent days, Mikel Arteta was forced to come off, clutching his calf. Wenger’s risk hadn’t paid off, and he was left without one of his key midfield players. Alex Occlude-Chamberlain came on to replace him.

It was fair to say Newcastle were so far the better team; the two fullbacks Yanga-Mbiwa and Mathieu Debuchy constantly found themselves in space down the flanks, and it was only the final ball that stopped them really hurting Arsenal.

Not wanting to be forced out of a Champions League spot, Arsenal responded well, and were the better team in the final five minutes of the half.

The second half arrived and Arsenal had serious work to do. They couldn’t rely on bitter rivals Tottenham dropping points, they had to finish the job themselves.

They knew it, as well. As soon as the second half began, Walcott took advantage of a defensive error and raced towards goal, only to be denied by a smart stop by Steve Harper. It was his last game for the Magpies; he wanted a clean sheet desperately.

The goal came only six minutes later. A Theo Walcott free-kick resulted in a flick towards goal by Podolski, and Koscielny was the quickest to react, darting behind Coloccini to fire a spectacular effort home, in off Harper’s head. 

It was 1-0. If it stayed like this, Arsenal would gain Champions League qualification. But Newcastle weren’t going to make it easy for them.

Darting runs from Hatem Ben Arfa were a constant problem for Arsenal, and their lack of steel in central midfield was highlighted by their failure to stop the Frenchman.

Newcastle pushed on. Time and time again, they put balls into the box, but credit to Koscielny and Mertesacker, they dealt with everything Newcastle had to throw at them.

Despite Arsenal’s defensive authority, Newcastle continued to push men forward, and Arsenal just couldn’t get out of their half. They cleared everything they could, silently praying that Walcott or substitute Giroud would get to it.

A chance did come for Walcott in the 91st minute; Newcastle were caught on the break by the English forward’s speed, and he successfully beat two players, but he couldn’t find the finish, and his effort hit the far post. He could’ve ended it there. Arsenal fans were speechless.

Despite Newcastle’s best efforts, the Arsenal defense stood firm, and eventually the final whistle blew, to Arsene Wenger’s relief, who’s obvious happiness was reflected onto all the staff and the players. What an achievement for them, to prove their critics wrong, and show that they didn’t need Robin Van Persie to get a Champions League place. Kudos to them.

For Newcastle, not much can be said. A poor season for them, but they stayed up, and Alan Pardew can now rebuild for next season. But the man of the hour was Steve Harper. Lets just take a minute to show our respect for a man who gave 20 years of service to Newcastle United. Well done to him.

Leander Winden (@LeanderWinden)