Dream Finish: Arsenal 2, Newcastle 1

A huge victory for the Gunners, who looked the likelier to win throughout but left it until the 94th minute and a cool finish from Vermaelen after a good cross from Walcott and a chest glance from Ramsey. This game was dominated from the  whistle by Arsenal who had several early chances, including a good cross from Walcott that was whiffed by RVP. RVP, in fact, missed a lot of chances between scoring the all important equalizer only seconds after Newcastle had forged ahead on a lovely shot by Ben Arfa (though it was very poor defending from Gibbs, who I thought was average in the game, except moving forward menacingly on several occasions), then missed a lot of good chances the rest of the way. Walcott had a good game though, moving forward on the right side throughout, but blew a couple of decent opportunities. But another late winner must make the squad feel good, First the grades, then the meaning of the match.  

Walcott had a very good game, though he again had opportunities to be the hero that went wanting. A great early cross to RVP could have made this a much easier game and he had the all important cross for the equalizer and that led to the winner. I just wish he could work on his finishing as the ball dropped to him in front of goal right before halftime and he hit it too slowly (leading to a goal line clearance) and overhit a cross that would have otherwise been easy for Rosicky to finish in the second. Nonetheless, he linked up well with Rosicky and RVP and could have had an assist hat trick. A

RVP: scored the all-important equalizer after a great first touch and then lovely finish, but missed at least four other chances (including another nice chip from Song that he failed to bring down). He can be forgiven for not scoring on every opportunity but will be thanking Vermaelen in the locker room after almost letting the points slip away. B+

Chamberlain: a couple of good pushes forward, but a relatively quiet game for the youngster, who was substituted out in the 70th minute. Might have been the case that the attack was more effective from the right most of the game. B-


Rosicky: the renaissance of Rosicky continued tonight, as he controlled the ball going forward, danced around well and sent through a number of great passes that could have led to goals. He also had a good opportunity to score, though Walcott probably should have rolled the ball to him. Really an extraordinary resurgence that will hopefully lead to more goals in the future (having just penned a new contract). A-


Song: strong in the middle as usual, cutting off several counterattacks from Newcastle and keeping the ball moving forward. Could have easily assisted on the winner. B+


Arteta: very strong game for the returning centre midfielder. He controlled the middle, sent good balls out from the back, barely allowed Newcastle possession and orchestrated the late charge together with Walcott and Sagna.


Sagna: had a really strong game and appears to be back in form. Was strong on the defensive end cutting off a few runs forward, got forward a lot and sent in good crosses. A-


Koscielny: a solid game in the middle again, without standing out. He has really become one of the best central defenders in the EPL. B+


Vermaelen: another strong game for our best defensive player, capped by the 94th minute winner. Invaluable to the club and a nice return after a couple of average games (in my estimation). A


Gibbs: I was less impressed with Gibbs, who was guilty on the Newcastle goal, seemed too easy to get around on the right. Was decent moving forward, but gave up the ball too often in the middle of the game lull. C+



Gervinho came in as a sub for Chamberlain in the 70th minute. He continues to fall short in his finishing, with a great opportunity at the far post going wanting from a terrible touch in the 82nd minute. He was menacing at times, but his drop in form since November makes me think that he is rather disappointing this year. C+


Ramsey: a crucial touch at the end that left Vermaelen open to score. He looked good in his return and will have to know that he has serious competition now to keep his position. Also seemed to have a decent strike from the top of the box that was blocked. B+


This is a huge victory that moves us three points above Chelsea yet again and, it is unbelievable to write this, only one point below Tottenham with the same goal differential. The drop in form by Tottenham is hard to explain, with a lackluster 1-0 loss to Everton continuing their woes. It looks like the race is now between Chelsea, Tottenham and us for the third and fourth Champions League spots. I like our chances, given that Chelsea still looks weak to me and Totti better return to form quickly or could drop all the way to fifth. Liverpool is out after a bad loss (and could fall below Everton if they lose tomorrow) and Newcastle is probably gone as well. Third place is knocking and I hope we keep the momentum going. The two big fixtures left on the schedule are the home match against Man City and Chelsea at the Emirates. If we even get draws out of those games, I think we are set. But we have to defend against our tendency to drop points late in the season against average teams. Go Gunners!