Cech's Gloves saves Arsenal's Lethargy

“He made two big saves, one in the first half and one in the second half and on top of that he gives calm dynamics. Today we needed that”

-Arsene Wenger on Petr Cech

Arsenal had Petr Cech to thank as they claimed a gritty win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Arsene Wenger made three changes to the line up that got the maximum points against Bournemouth on Monday with Mathieu Flamini, Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny coming in for Calum Chambers, Gabriel and Kieran Gibbs respectively.

The Premier League leaders whose lead over Leicester is now two points started brightly in the soggy conditions in North London with Hector Bellerin getting in some crosses from the right, but none of the players could connect with it, as Oxlade Chamberlain missed early on.

It was as good as it got for Arsenal after that as the Magpies seized the initiative at the Emirates with Dutch international Wijnaldum forcing a save from Petr Cech midway into the first half, the Czech goalkeeper also kept out Perez follow up on the shot.

Arsenal’s struggles was typified by the displays of Oxlade Chamberlain and Theo Walcott who were largely anonymous for most of the game with both players accounting for just 33% and 36% of successful duels while they lasted on the pitch. McClaren’s side carried the greater threat throughout the match as Arsenal huffed and puffed with Jack Colback, Janmaat and Sissoko all impressing for Newcastle United.

With a largely lethargic first half, those of Arsenal persuasion would have hoped for an improved second half, instead it was Newcastle United that started on the front foot with Wijnaldum forcing another excellent save from Petr Cech after he ran through on goal.

The display by the gunners was reminiscent of what they served up against Southampton on Boxing Day; the only difference was that the match stayed goalless, before Laurent Koscielny scored the winner in the 72 minute off a Giroud header after a corner from Mesut Ozil.
Newcastle United had six shots on target and 15 attempts on goal, in contrast to Arsenal's three shots on target and a lesser attempt on goal after full time.

Aaron Ramsey could have added gloss to the score line late on, but he contrived to shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

In the end, it was the saves made by Arsenal’s only signing of the season that gave them the maximum points, and not for the first time this season.

Why the Team Needs Help

Although Arsenal are top of the league, their soft under belly was still obvious on Saturday. But for Petr Cech who is a veteran of four Premier League titles during his time at Chelsea, it would have been a case of the same old Arsenal.

The inability of Arsene Wenger to rotate his squad has not been helped by the now seasonal injury crisis that has ravaged the club. That he has prosecuted the matches played in December and today’s match with just about 14 players with about eleven of those playing throughout against Sunderland, Olympiakos, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Southampton, Bournemouth and Newcastle United shows why some of the players were leggy today after a grueling festive football programme.

The January transfer window would come in handy for Arsenal as Wenger cannot continue to call on the same players for every fixture. As such is a recipe for further breakdown and injuries from players. It is no surprise that the club is close to finalising a deal of £7 million for Egyptian midfielder Mohammed Elneny.

With the likes of Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Francis Coquelin not expected back until at least February, a body or two from the transfer window could be important to the club’s title push. Alexis Sanchez returns from his injury lay off next week would also serve as a welcome boost for Wenger.

For now Arsenal can celebrate being on top of the league for another week. Next up is the FA Cup third round match against Sunderland at the Emirates, before the tasty league match up against Liverpool at Anfield in eleven days time.