Reviews

The Gunners predictably made eleven changes from the under-21 side that beat Blackburn in the Kids’ Cup in midweek as they reverted to the lineup that vanquished Chelski last weekend.

The lead could have been extended almost immediately as Bendtner cut in from the right and attempted a Bergkamp-esque curler to the far corner which clipped the crossbar and went to safety.

Captain Willy Gallas who directed it in to the empty net. 1-0 to the Arsenal! What a mistake by Cech, of all the keepers in the world he would be the last on your list to make a cock-up like that.

It only took Robin Van Persie 3 minutes to introduce himself to the game. Van Persie took the ball inside their half and strode forward, he then played a wonderful perfectly weighted pass

The first chance of note we created was midway through the half, Rosicky bobbling a shot wide from 20-yards. Does anyone else remember that cracker he scored in the World Cup? Talk about giving us false hope eh? Ten minutes remaining in the half and we won a free-kick very central but a long way out. Having seen a previous effort by Kolo blocked by a wall that was only 5-yards way

Newcastle were posing a definite threat down the other end, especially from long throws and corners. On 35 minutes they had a corner from the right that found the head of Steven Taylor. Although he was sandwiched between two players he managed to direct his effort goalwards but was matched by a great save from Almunia

We were bossing things early on and Hleb was particularly prominent – with Cesc out, his contribution would be vital and he lived up to the billing. So when Villa’s goal came on the quarter hour it was a bit of a sucker punch. Flamini misplaced a pass

Eduardo who was waiting unmarked, but his low drive was somehow diverted wide by the sprawling keeper. The last five minutes of the half were harem scarem in our box. Kanoute put wide a chance very similar to Keita’s goal

So a good win in the end, all the moreso given United’s unexpected defeat at Bolton. The performance was not great, but the key is not winning games when you’re on top form, it is winning games when you’re struggling to hit the heights

It was probably the easiest away 3 points that we have picked up for a few seasons. Reading had no ambition and not enough quality to contain an Arsenal team who played the game in 1st gear in the first half and 2nd gear in the second half.