As talented as our ball players are, and we have many who can play out in wide areas, Theo’s movement, pace and finishing is vital in this Arsenal team. His sixth of the season having missed a large chunk through injury

Two away clean sheets in two games, two victories and seven goals, it is turning into a wonderful week for Arsenal as the second string brushed aside Newcastle at St James’ Park. Only Johan Djourou and Denilson with his fresh hair do started from the team who convincingly sealed victory in our impressive display at Manchester City on Sunday.

Bendtner, Walcott and Koscielny were included to wipe away the last bits of rust they had hanging around after injury. One surprise inclusion was defensive midfielder and right back Craig Eastmond, many of us thought that Henri Lansbury would have been the chosen kid to compliment the midfield, instead Arsene went for the more combative option.

We started quicker than many thought we would, even the Newcastle players by the looks of things. We flew out of the traps and with our first attack we should have scored. Carlos Vela was released by Rosicky after the Czech had whisked the ball away from a hesitant defender, Bendtner had made the run to the near post and a pass was on but a quicker finish would have been even better, as it was the Newcastle keeper made a early block.

Bendtner had three bites of the cherry from the resulting corner kick, the last bite was easily saved by Tim Krul. Theo Walcott had escaped down the right following a delightful floated pass by Denilson. Nicklas Bendtner was tugged to the ground by Williamson outside of the penalty area and Walcott’s cross was just behind the onrushing Vela at the back post.

We had created plenty of chances in the early stages but this wasn’t without reply. Young Vuckic had burst into the box in the left hand channel and crashed a shot into the side netting of Szczesny’s goal.

Newcastle’s best chance of the night fell to the quick lone Ranger. Djourou could not catch him when set clear, Szczesny came out to meet the ball and could not get there. Ranger rounded him and attempted to tap into an unguarded net until Koscielny did what Koscielny does, got back out of the blue and made the block on the goal line.

I had almost forgotten about the quality of Koscielny. We had gotten used to the Squillaci and Djourou partnership but this one performance after injury brought back all the memories of why I had nicknamed him the Cobra. His composure on the ball is superb, gracefully pulls down high balls and plays midfielder type passes into feet in between gaps. As ever he was impressive on the floor and won more than his fair share of headers.

Squillaci may have the experience under his belt but if the center back pairing was my choice, Laurent Koscielny would be one of the first names on the team sheet. A remarkable unpolished diamond who is already shining.

Alan Smith had rocketed a rasping drive off the cross bar via the finger tips of Wojciech Szczesny. A truly breathtaking start to a game of football. Arsenal had carved Newcastle open like a Turkey on Christmas day but had forgotten to buy the gravy to apply the finishing touches. Newcastle roared on by home support where trying to use the pace of Ranger on the break.

Kieran Gibbs’ horrendous recent luck with injury continued following a strong challenge from former Tottenham winger Wayne Routledge. He tried continuing but it was just too much so was replaced with Bacary Sagna. You have to feel incredibly sorry for the youngster. Had managed to pick up a full international cap, played very well in his cameo. His form for Arsenal was very good and if he remained fit, he may well have forced his way into the starting eleven more frequently. My guess is that the club will be very cautious with Kieran now and give him an extended time out to make sure he comes back fully healed.

Mr versatile Emmanuel Eboue switched over to left back, whilst Sagna played in his usual right back spot. Eboue has now played at right back, left back, center midfield, right wing and left wing. We may have to start inventing some new positions for Prince Eboue.

Eboue should have done much better when he jinked his way past a defender into the box and with both Bendtner and Vela free awaiting the pass, he went for the near post and struck wide of the post. Whilst the commentators continue to screech on about our need to shoot more, it often goes over their heads that shooting is not always the best option.

Nicklas Bendtner had drifted inside his man minutes later and struck a tame effort into the keepers hands, he should have done better and would correct that mistake later in the game.

In stoppage time the deadlock was broken, our peppering of the Newcastle goal finally paid off. The co commentator on Sky said on a number of occasions that Newcastle could cause Arsenal problems from set pieces, ironically the Magpies were undone from a header into the box following a Walcott corner. Both Eastmond and then Koscielny leapt for the ball in front of the goalkeeper, Krul let the ball dribble behind him to the defender on the line who must have thanked his lucky stars that he had the chance to clear the danger until Krul’s head got in the way and the ball dropped into the net. A Krul goal to concede (I have to get that out of the way) but the advantage to Arsenal was fully justified.

It didn’t take the team long to double the lead after the break, Theo raced clear and applied a sumptuous finish past the keeper. It reminded me of an Ian Wright finish of old. Bendtner had blocked off Williamson just as the defender had done to him in the first half. The only difference was that one of them was ignored whilst the other was talked about over and over again. Same old Sky TV, always cheating.

Cesc Fabregas had come on with twenty minutes to play in order to sharpen him up after his recent injury. My heart was in my mouth when Barton joined the fray almost immediately after Cesc. I like many Gooners feared that a cynical late tackle on Cesc could do damage. As it was Barton winded Cesc in the remaining twenty minutes but nothing more than that.

Nicklas Bendtner hit a tame effort from the left hand channel during the first half but he more than made up for it in the second, with seven minutes remaining Bendtner cut inside his man and thumped in a ferocious strike into the top corner. A superb finish. It was a goal that displayed his talents yet again.

A few minutes later the Greyhound also known as Walcott raced onto a Koscielny pass, gave the keeper the eyes and confidently rolled in his second and Arsenal’s fourth of the game. As talented as our ball players are, and we have many who can play out in wide areas, Theo’s movement, pace and finishing is vital in this Arsenal team. His sixth of the season having missed a large chunk through injury.

Wojciech Szczesny did his bit in the closing stages, making several impressive stops and dealing with crosses with ease. He has finally been given a platform to display his talents. Apart from his one misjudgment he looked every bit an Arsenal star in the making.

The final whistle blew around St James’ Park, the quarter finals awaits. Hopefully a nice home draw may allow more playing time for the likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Henri Lansbury.

Conclusion

Plenty criticism has come in for both Carlos Vela and Craig Eastmond for below par displays, I would agree that they did not perform to their full potential but I would remind the critical that both have not had a run of games of late. History tells us that more often than not players produce their best after a run of games in the first team. Johan Djourou had a mixed game, solid in the air, won plenty of tackles but was also caught out on a few occasions. His return to form is still very much a work in progress.

Four goals without reply not including nine of the starters who beat Manchester City on the weekend, along with Van Persie, Ramsey, Vermaelen and Almunia on the treatment table.

Szczesny (8)
Eboue (7)
Koscielny (8)
Djourou (6.5)
Gibbs (7)
Eastmond (6)
Denilson (7.5)
Rosicky (7)
Walcott (7.5)
Bendtner (7)
Vela (6)

Please note that ratings are only my interpretations of the game and that others will have differing opinions