Can We Play Newcastle Every Week?

By: Dan | January 30th, 2008

Two 3-0 wins over Newcastle in the span of four days as Arsenal moved forward in the FA Cup and kept pace with Manchester United (who won 2-0 over Portsmouth). Saturday’s game was sluggish in the first half, but Adebayor’s brace in the second half was fantastic and Nicky Butt’s own goal was icing on the cake.

The second half performance was terrific, with Senderos looking quite comfortable in the back (which will be vital if King Kolo is injured – fucking African Cup of Nations). Clichy deserves a mention for a flawless performance (but then, when isn’t he superb?). Fabregas is slowly working his way back to his best form, and the team is playing well.

Highlights:

Leading to the second Newcastle game…

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Newcastle Game 2:

Highlights:

A 3-0 win and credit has to go to the man at the top of this page.

Flamini was simply sensational. I remember last season having a discussion with a friend about Flamini, and we both agreed that though he was a great, combative player, he would never be Arsenal quality. Arsene, for good or bad (he refused to sign Yaya Toure – Kolo’s brother – because of Yaya’s lack of technical skill), is devoted to highly technical players, and Flamini seemed far too clumsy. Last season he was a tireless worker, but not much else. Flamini has certainly shown flashes for brilliance this season (his goal against Aston Villa for example), but the game against Newcastle was something different.

His cross to Adebayor was sublime (perhaps the benefit of Beckham training with us?) and his goal stunning. It was a scorcher from 30 yards out, virtually unstoppable, but Flamini was also everywhere on defense. He had three crucial, last second tackles, with one literally 30 seconds after his goal. He is one hell of a player, and now all we have to do is wait for him to sign his new contract.

Flamini has honestly transformed himself in the last year. This ridiculous change, from headless chicken tackling randomly to one of the best passers in the Premier League with clear class, is unbelievable. Trust Arsene I suppose, and hope Diaby, Walcott and Denilson can only make a breakthrough as amazing as Flamini’s.

The entire team performance against Newcastle was superb, and it was the perfect reaction to Wednesday’s Carling Cup loss. Well done boys

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In other news, Arsenal drew Manchester United in the next round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford. The game comes days before our must-win game against AC Milan and will present the hardest test for the team so far. Here’s hoping Clichy can shut down a certain Portuguese winger and show the world what a joke Ronaldo really is.