Arsenal had failed to win their last three Premier League games heading into Saturday’s home clash against Newcastle United, a run that had seen the Gunners drop into seventh place. But they could have hardly asked for better opponents – the Magpies came into this fixture having picked up only one point from the last 24 available.
In the end, Arsenal’s 1-0 win was far from comfortable, as the home side were wasteful in attack apart from Mesut Ozil‘s wonderfully taken goal. The visitors’ own toothless attack was the main reason Arsenal emerged with all three points to return to the top four, at least temporarily.
Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s game.
LOSING OZIL ARSENAL’S BIG CONCERN, NOT SANCHEZ
It’s a strange dilemma to ponder – which of your world-class players would you rather keep? Ideally, of course, both Ozil and Alexis Sanchez would be suiting up in Arsenal colours next season, but it’s more likely that one or both will leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of this campaign. And if Arsenal have to put all their efforts into retaining one of them, right now the choice is Ozil, hands down.
It’s surprising because six months ago, Arsenal fans would have been ready to offload Ozil and shuddered at the thought of losing Sanchez. But now, the German is not only the more in-form player, he’s also shown much greater commitment to the cause. It’s not just that he’s popping up with vital assists, superb goals like the one he scored on Saturday, and overall brilliance, it’s that amid all the distraction of his expiring contract and transfer rumours, Ozil is now producing at a high-quality level week in, week out. He may leave, but until he does, he’s doing his absolute best to help Arsenal win.
Sanchez, on the other hand, has lost the fire and hunger he showed last season. You don’t even see the frustration at team-mates not matching his level – mainly because his level has dipped, as he still hasn’t overcome the disappointment of seeing his summer transfer away from Arsenal collapse.
If the choice is between keeping Ozil or Sanchez, Ozil wins hands down at the moment.
JEKYLL-AND-HYDE ARSENAL CONTINUE TO FRUSTRATE
Ozil may be producing at a brilliant level consistently, but the rest of this Arsenal team is looking uninspiring. Even in this game, so many flowing attacking moves suddenly stalled in the final third. Rob Elliot only had four saves to make in the Newcastle goal, and only one of those was anything above a standard, easy stop.
Saturday’s display was indicative of a wider malaise at Arsenal – it’s hard to remember the last time an Arsene Wenger side was this listless to watch. They’ve had their moments this season, and not too long ago – the 5-0 win over Huddersfield last month, and the spirited display in their loss to Manchester United – but apart from the occasional glimpses of promise from the Sanchez-Alexandre Lacazette-Ozil front line, this Arsenal side hasn’t quite dazzled in the way previous vintages have, and definitely not with any consistency.
A first win in four games is at least a start, but Wenger has considerable work to do with this side.
Arsene Wenger must wonder why his side can sometimes be so listless.
NEWCASTLE SALE CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH
There were moments, especially in the second-half, when Newcastle looked the more threatening side on Saturday, and on the balance of play they probably deserved a draw. Ayoze Perez missed two presentable chances, and in general the lack of quality in the final third was galling.
Rafael Benitez has done an excellent job with this side, but they’re in the relegation zone after this loss, and there are only a handful of players who have the quality to lift this side. Newcastle need reinforcements, fast.
The proposed sale of the club can’t go through fast enough.
Rafael Benitez needs to strengthen his squad to avoid relegation.