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Newcastle United (a) “That sexy Frenchman just can’t stop scoring” – Q&A
Well, I’d say this was a game of two halves, but I’m not sure that would do the match justice. The first half was exactly what you want coming out against a team that’s struggling. We pressed them well, created ample chances to put the game to bed before halftime, and never let them get a foothold in the game. The second half was a…. slightly different story. They clearly responded very well to their half time team talk, where we never really got our second half started. We were sloppy on the ball throughout the second half and put ourselves under constant pressure. Luckily, we defended well enough and Ospina was there to make one or two crucial saves that allowed us to hold on. The entire game considered, it wasn’t the best of performances, but three points are always welcome, especially in an away game
Newcastle United (a) Confirmed Line Up: Özil not in squad, Alexis continues & Theo left on bench
So changes have been made to the team but not exactly what I was expecting. Alexis Sanchez remains in the team which is somewhat of a surprise given his recent showings. Watch him pull out a man of the match performance now. Mesut Özil has not traveled with the squad so either he is being rested or he is ill. Theo Walcott is still left on the bench so the writing looks very much on the wall for his future.
Newcastle United (a) Thoughts & Line Up: Arsenal must punish injury struck Geordies
The obvious contender for me has to be Alexis Sanchez who is clearly not at his best and seems in need of some butt on bench time. I watched an excellent video of his season so far and it was amazing to see quite the impact he had. He was a lot more productive back then and we need that during this important run in. The choice to rest him may have been easier had Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain been available but a twang of the hammy means he is still unavailable. It could be a chance to give Theo Walcott a rare start though, still feels strange saying that after so many years of our speedster being an automatic starter. I would personally start Welbeck on the left to maintain that high energy and power and balance it out with Theo on the right.
Newcastle United (a) Opposition View: “The club is a sinking ship at the minute”
The excitement of Pardew leaving didn't last long after being told Carver will be the man to take the helm, a man which most NUFC fans wanted gone with Pardew. It has only gotten worse since then. No signings in January which we desperately needed and it’s epitomised by the state of our squad right now, Players have given up once again - they only seem to put a shift in for half a season and even that’s debatable, there’s just no prospect to get excited about for NUFC. Fans are almost adamant Carver will get the job full-time resulting in more cancellation of season tickets. Another summer will come along where Ashley promises to spend ‘big’ but nothing materialises come the 1st of September. At present its painful being an NUFC fan, there’s no ambition so there’s nothing to get excited about - cups are out of the question and finishing tenth is a good season in the clubs eyes who continue to feed us lies and excuses. Sometimes I wonder what is the point anymore?
Why not give two points for Premier League away score draws then?
Ramsey: I’m in good shape
Aaron Ramsey is hoping to put this season's injury woes behind him and kick on during this important end of season run in. The Welshman has had problems with hamstring strains this season and has struggled to find the incredible form of last season. But Ramsey is feeling strong physically now and is proving that with two impressive performances in the last two games against West Ham and then off the bench against Monaco.
AV Post Match Podcast – EP24: Monaco 0 Arsenal 2 – Close but no last 8 cigar
Monaco (a) – September’s Alexis could have found the 3rd
I thought we had lacked quality from wide areas throughout the game, apart from the occasions when Mesut Özil pulled into those parts of the pitch to sweep passes into players around the box. We missed the Oxlade-Chamberlain of Old Trafford and we certainly missed the Alexis Sanchez from the first half of the season. In fact, I would go as far as to say that he was the only player who could have won the game for us last night at that point in the game. The problem is this Alexis is off the boil completely. Perhaps all his chasing defenders all season has burnt him out during this second half of the campaign but last night he became a hindrance at times rather than the player we needed to turn to. On another day he might have won us
Arsène Wenger: The game should have been over at half time
We produced a performance we wanted, overall at half time the game should have been over, we created five clear cut chances, I think as well we were unlucky with some refereeing decisions in the first half especially. Monaco had no shot on target at all, we played in one half and they defended well, until the end I think it was a very tight game