LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: 5 things we learned – A winning return
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
4. Move that ball
The difference in Arsenal’s attacking play between the first and second halves was stark, and not coincidental. While the Gunners were more threatening in the opening 45 minutes than the vast criticism they received at half-time, their controlled possession building pressure without ever providing that incisive play in the final third, after the break, they were much more dangerous.
It all stemmed from the movement of the ball, specifically, the tempo of it. Arsenal passed with the ball at a greater speed. From the actual power of the passes to the number of touches they took to control the ball and then shift it to a teammate, everything about the Gunners’ passing play was done with more intensity and quickness.
It might only save tenths of a second, but against an excellently drilled low block like Newcastle United, every half-second is critical, not allowing the opposition to structure themselves and sit in their desired shape. Dani Ceballos was excellent, pulling the strings superbly, while Nicolas Pepe and Mesut Ozil were more involved in between the lines as a result of the speedier supply lines. Arsenal moved the ball quickly. In the end, it is the primary reason why they won.
Arsenal returned to Premier League football on Sunday afternoon when they played host to Newcastle United. The Gunners stumbled out of the blocks with a cumbersome first-half performance, but they improved substantially after the break, playing with the verve and intensity that Arteta has demanded throughout his tenure thus far. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed the first, then Nicolas Pepe scored, Mesut Ozil converted a lovely move in the dying stages, and then Alexandre Lacazette finally broke that dreaded goalscoring drought with a lovely finish in stoppage time. And all this came while a suffocating high press protected a well-deserved clean sheet.</p>
<h2><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pain-in-the-arsenal-podcast-on-arsenal-fc/id1314514440?ign-mpt=uo%3D4%26amp%3Buo%3D4&mt=2%22>Listen to the latest episode of the Pain In The Arsenal Podcast here! — The winning feeling</a></h2>
<p>Here are five things we learned from<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/50935981"> the 3-0 victory</a>.</p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-98852" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1201342808-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>5. Some telling omissions</h4>
<p>Upon their return from a two-week break in which Mikel Arteta worked his Arsenal squad hard, further understanding what they are and are not capable of, the Spaniard made some telling selection changes to his team, especially when it comes to those he left out.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=alexandre+lacazette%22>Alexandre Lacazette</a> was dropped from the frontline, 20-year-old Eddie Nketiah starting in his stead, while Lucas Torreira was also absent from central midfield, Dani Ceballos ushered in to partner Granit Xhaka as the conducting deep-lying playmaker Arteta wanted to break down Newcastle’s excellent deep-block.</p>
<p>And then there were two names who left out of the squad entirely: <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=matteo+guendouzi%22>Matteo Guendouzi</a> and<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=ainsley+maitland-niles%22> Ainsley Maitland-Niles</a>. Both are young and improving players who had seemed to be impressing Arteta. Their entire absence from the playing squad is telling and perhaps suggest Arteta does not hold them in as high regard as first thought.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Move that ball </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-98860" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1206666844-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>4. Move that ball</h4>
<p>The difference in Arsenal’s attacking play between the first and second halves was stark, and not coincidental. While the Gunners were more threatening in the opening 45 minutes than the vast criticism they received at half-time, their controlled possession building pressure without ever providing that incisive play in the final third, after the break, they were much more dangerous.</p>
<p>It all stemmed from the movement of the ball, specifically, the tempo of it. Arsenal passed with the ball at a greater speed. From the actual power of the passes to the number of touches they took to control the ball and then shift it to a teammate, everything about the Gunners’ passing play was done with more intensity and quickness.</p>
<p>It might only save tenths of a second, but against an excellently drilled low block like Newcastle United, every half-second is critical, not allowing the opposition to structure themselves and sit in their desired shape. Dani Ceballos was excellent, pulling the strings superbly, while Nicolas Pepe and Mesut Ozil were more involved in between the lines as a result of the speedier supply lines. Arsenal moved the ball quickly. In the end, it is the primary reason why they won.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Nketiah was the wrong call </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-98851" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1206666318-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Eddie Nketiha of Arsenal controls the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>3. Nketiah was the wrong call</h4>
<p>Mikel Arteta’s most significant selection was to drop Alexandre Lacazette for<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=eddie+nketiah%22> Eddie Nketiah</a> at the centre-forward position. Many had called for Lacazette to be dropped but presumed that would include Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moving centrally. Arteta did the first part, but he persisted with Aubameyang out wide.</p>
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<p>Nketiah was a brave call, but it was the wrong one. The value of Lacazette, even when he is playing poorly and not scoring goals, is his hold-up play. He backs into defenders, his touch is excellent, he drops into midfield and smooths out the attacking play, even creating chances as he turns and feeds runners beyond him. Nketiah is not that type of player.</p>
<p>Nketiah is an Aubameyang-type player. He does not want to get involved in build-up play. He is a natural goalscorer, someone who likes to play on the shoulder of the defence and convert chances. He is quite happy to never touch the ball until it enters the six-yard box and he is tapping it into the net. So when you have Aubameyang, who is a superior player of this goalscoring ilk, why start Nketiah?</p>
<p>Nketiah tried to play in a manner like Lacazette. In the first half, he frequently dropped deep and asked for the ball into his feet. But his touch was inconsistent and passes rarely came his way. Only Bernd Leno had fewer touches in the opening 45 minutes. If Arteta wanted a Lacazette-type centre-forward, he should have played Lacazette; if he wanted an Aubameyang-type centre-forward, he should have played Aubameyang. In the end, he did neither.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Ceballos the orchestrator </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-98854" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1201357290-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>2. Ceballos the orchestrator</h4>
<p>In his pre-match interview for television, Mikel Arteta spoke at length about having to play against a low block. No team has had less possession than Newcastle United in the Premier League this season and Steve Bruce’s side are phenomenally well-drilled defensively, boasting a terrific record throughout the year. Breaking them down was never going to be easy.</p>
<p>Arteta’s team selection reflected this, especially the introduction of<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=dani+ceballos%22> Dani Ceballos</a> in central midfield. Ceballos played instead of Lucas Torreira. He is much less able defensively, lacking the nous and range of the scrappy Uruguayan, but his passing range, creativity, and willingness to break lines with his distribution are much more impactful, and they were on full show here.</p>
<p>Ceballos controlled play neatly in the first half, if lacking that cutting edge to truly carve Newcastle open, before kicking his play up a notch after the break. His passing was sublime after the break, looking forwards, feeding balls that invited those around him to push forwards into advanced areas. He was the deep-lying orchestrator Arteta desired, and he now proposes quite the selection headache moving forward.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Mikel Arteta era starts here? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-98861" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1206677135-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>1. Mikel Arteta era starts here?</h4>
<p>There was a celebratory mood about the Emirates in the second half. After an underwhelming first 45 minutes, Arsenal started to fly after the break, scoring four goals in a fluent display of vibrant attacking football, a suffocating high press, and the dynamism and creativity of a well-balanced midfield.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Bukayo Saka was superb, Nicolas Pepe scored one and assisted two, Alexandre Lacazette came on and played a key role, assisting one and then breaking his goalscoring duck, while Mesut Ozil even got on the scoresheet, the first time since April. And in the midst of it all, of course, Pierre-Emerick got his customary goal.</p>
<p>This was a superb second-half performance from the Gunners, and it certainly felt like the beginning of a new era.<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=mikel+arteta%22> Mikel Arteta</a> spoke at length about the work he and his players put in during the two-week break. And this was the result of that work.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: Player ratings" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-newcastle-player-ratings/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-vs-newcastle-united-5-things-learned-winning-return/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/02/16/arsenal-newcastle-player-ratings/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: Player ratings </a> </div>
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<p>Arsenal now have hope, for the remainder of the season and beyond. The Arteta era starts here, I think…</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">
