Arsenal vs. Newcastle

7-3, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 2012-11-29
Walcott 20, 73, 92,
Oxlade-Chamberlain 51,
Podolski 64,
Giroud 85, 87

Typical Boxing Day game (which we, sadly, missed out on) packed with drama, and what better game to finish the year with..? This game was all about outpacing our opponents, credit to Newcastle for keeping up with us for about seventy minutes, but after that we definitely finished the game on top. Which really is not very surprising considering that both Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain started the game, with Theo up-front yet again, and what a brilliant job he did!

Just as the game had begun Oxlade-Chamberlain fired away a shot, even though it was rather wide it was definitely positive to see us firing away right from the start! Ba provided an early warning of what was to come later as he headed the ball just over the bar after approximately fifteen minutes. Then, twenty minutes into the game, we took the lead for the first of four times in this game! Theo Walcott was released down the right-hand side and dispatched his shot at the far post, a truly trademark goal for the Englishman, arguably something he has picked up from Thierry Henry over the year (who, by the way, is back and training with us). As the first half drew to a close there was quite some action left in store for us, first Walcott got close to repeating his goal, this time it was saved by the keeper though. Then Tiote had a sizzling shot saved by Szczesny before our keeper had to watch the ball hit the back of the net as a free-kick took a touch off of Wilshere. In the last minute of the half Szczesny made a fine save from a Marveux shot to keep the scoreline at 1-1 for the half-time.

As one might have gathered from the result, the second half was rather explosive. It began with us taking back our lead through a brilliant shot by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that went straight into the back of the net! At the hour-mark Newcastle equalised for the second time as our defence completely lost track of Marveux in the box. Just two minutes after that Cazorla had a powerful shot saved by the keeper and Podolski got close but the keeper beat him to the ball. However, just a minute later Lukas Podolski managed to beat the keeper (at last) with a close-range header following Wilshere's cross. This game seemed destined to end as a draw as Ba equalised for the third time for Newcastle five minutes after our third leading goal. Fortunately for us, that was the last time that Newcastle managed to keep up with our pace and our fourth goal came merely four minutes after Ba's equaliser. Once again it was Theo Walcott who, clearly relishing in his new role up-front, fired into the top corner of the goal as Gibbs' cross found him. It is, however, important to remember that Newcastle did come close to scoring just minutes later but Szczesny provided a decent save to deny them. With about ten minutes left Walcott, seeking a hat-trick, had a shot deflected wide before turning provider for substitute Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman headed the ball home from a brilliant cross by Walcott and two minutes later the substitute, Olivier Giroud, doubled his tally with a superbly shot, yet again assisted by Walcott. However, the English striker did not let the Frenchman steal the show as he scored a stunning solo goal in the final minutes, let me repeat: an absolutely stunning solo goal. Theo Walcott scored one of those goals that words just cannot simply do justice, it has to be seen (which is why I have embedded a video from Swedish television in this post). Well, I have to at least make an attempt at describing it, so here goes nothing: He zig-zagged his way through the Newcastle defence, was brought down yet managed to get past the last defender by going beneath him and then quickly rising to, cool as you like, chip the ball over the keeper into the back of the net!! Mind-blowing stuff from the striker to complete his hat-trick and I believe that I am not the only fan desperately wanting him to sign another contract at the club! In the very last minute Giroud should have made an hat-trick for himself (which is quite incredible considering his limited amount of time on the pitch), but his effort unfortunately struck the woodwork instead of the net.

So, I guess we can call this ending the year on a high..? Let's hope that 2013 will continue as 2012 ended, with completely stunning games from start to finish, great games of football with some truly amazing goals thrown in there as well.

Oh and, do I need to say who was the official Man Of The Match?

Injury Update:
- Mertesacker caught an illness before the game and was not able to make it back for this game.
- Fabianski is currently the only player sidelined with an injury, which is quite remarkable!