:shock: Has Fabianski like, taken over as number 1? On a permanent basis? :shock:

:shock: Has Fabianski like, taken over as number 1? On a permanent basis? :shock:

Almunia is out injured but even if Almunia was fit Fabianski would be in goals. Hasn't really put a foot wrong since he came in for the Partizan game. It's quite scary to think that if he keeps playing like he is we won't have any real need to buy a keeper in January:lol:

he certainly made a great save earlier in the first half from silva i thought we were 1-0 down there

[size=6]Report: Man City 0-3 Arsenal[/size]

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal climbed back to second place in the Premier League with a crucial 3-0 win at Manchester City on Sunday.

Goals from Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner secured the points in a confidence-boosting afternoon for Arsène Wenger’s side. However the turning point of the game occurred as early as the fourth minute when Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata was dismissed for a last-man foul on Marouane Chamakh.

The red card certainly affected the Sky Blues but a highly-effective Arsenal side made them pay. They took the lead, recovered when Joe Hart saved a Cesc Fabregas penalty, withstood Manchester City pressure and then pushed on for the three points.

Make no mistake, this game was massive for Arsenal. They had something to prove to themselves as well as others after the defeat at Chelsea earlier in the month.

Although this was not exactly the performance of champions, it was the type of result champions pull off.

At this rate, Wenger’s side WILL be part of the title race until May.

The manager made three changes from the side that has won so handsomely against Shakhtar in midweek. Jack Wilshere started his three-game suspension so Denilson came into central midfield. The fit-again Bacary Sagna was back for Emmanuel Eboue while Andrey Arshavin replaced Tomas Rosicky.

This was not a traditional ‘Big Four’ game but you could argue Manchester City had taken over the position vacated by Liverpool over the course of the last 18 months. And, of course, Wenger's men had built up a poor record in recent seasons against direct title challengers.

That simply had to change.

For all their possession at Chelsea, they had left without the points – and it was only those that would keep Arsenal in the title race.

However while Wenger's men started wonderfully in West London that day, the opening stages at Eastlands would belong to the home side. Manchester City were lively and vibrant – the exact opposite of the way they would end the game.

In the second minute, Carlos Tevez tricked Djourou in to a mistimed challenge on the right. The Argentinean scuttled to the byline and cut the ball back into the heart of the six-yard box. David Silva’s backflick was instant and goalbound. Fabianski thrust out his right hand and clutched the ball on the line.

A couple of minutes later, Yaya Toure broke down the same flank and Sagna hacked the ball away.

Arsenal had made a nervous start and needed a break.

In the fourth minute, they got one.

Fabregas sent Chamakh clear in the right-hand channel with Boyata in hot pursuit. The Moroccan poked the ball clear of the Belgian defender and was brought down just outside the area. As the centre back was the last man a red card was inevitable.

The sides swapped bookings in the minutes that followed. A tense affair was now becoming tetchy too.

Fabianski made a simple save after confusion in the Arsenal defence allowed Tevez a glimpse of goal.

In the 17th minute, Fabregas worked the ball wide to Sagna, whose cross was nodded over by the unmarked Djourou at the near post.

There was a feeling that Arsenal were settling down.

Something that was confirmed by the opening goal a couple of minutes later.

Nasri collected the ball on the right and played it to Arshavin before darting into the area. The Russian waited for his colleague to overlap then fed him the perfect pass. Nasri delayed his shot until Hart was committed and then lifted his shot over the stranded keeper. It was his seventh goal in his last six starts.

The game was now the polar opposite of the first minutes. Manchester City were nervous and inhibited, Arsenal composed.

However the home side might have been level just before the half-hour. James Milner’s ball sent Micah Richards clear on the right. The defender weaved inside and tried to curl a shot into the far corner. Fortunately for Arsenal he sliced his effort wide.

The chance was an anomaly. Broadly speaking the visitors were in command. And they had a chance to strangle the game six minutes from the break when Vincent Kompany clipped Fabregas just inside the area.

The Spaniard stepped up to take the spot-kick. His contact was decent but Joe Hart threw himself to his left to make a fine save. It was the third penalty Arsenal had missed this season.

It was also the shot in the arm that Manchester City had needed. Before half-time Kompany nodded narrowly over the bar from Silva’s corner and, just before the whistle, the Spanish striker miscontrolled a through ball when well-placed.

Both sides went into the tunnel with something to think about. Arsenal had the advantages of a goal and a man but, in reality, were not in complete control. Manchester City had limped through the first half after that double blow but they had created enough to feel they were in with a sniff.

However in the opening moments of the second half, that chance was almost extinguished. The visitors attacked with purpose down the left and, had the ball properly fallen at the feet of Fabregas or Chamakh, Arsenal would have grabbed an early second.

Mancini had made a change at the break – Wayne Bridge for Toure. Six minutes into the second half, he made another – Emmanuel Adebayor for the limping Tevez.

The latter move was guaranteed to shake up the match but it also heralded Manchester City’s best period.

In the 57th minute, Silva darted into the area and, from an acute angle, let fly. It would have found the far corner but for a wonderful touch by Fabianski.

The Arsenal keeper was starting to be over-employed. A couple of minutes later, the Pole missed his punch and Adebayor nodded over the bar.

You sensed it was now or never for Manchester City. They had been chasing the game ever since the sending off and had to redress the balance at this point.

In fact Arsenal would double their lead.

In the 65th minute, Nasri and Fabregas combined on the right of the area and tried to slip in Chamakh. However Bridge got a toe on the ball and it turned into a perfect lay-off for Song, who fired first-time into the top corner.

The goal pretty much sucked the life out of Manchester City. They nearly got an immediate response when Adebayor’s header was brilliantly palmed away by Fabianski. Neither knew the chance had been flagged offside. Apart from that, the visitors were now exerting proper control.

Tomas Rosicky’s dangerous-looking cross toward Denilson was touched aside for a corner and Chamakh thundered a shot high over the bar.

Two minutes from time, substitute Bendtner raced clear on to Nasri’s through-ball and slotted his first goal of the season past Hart.

Fabianski saved wonderfully from Boateng to preserve Arsenal's first Premier League clean-sheet away from home for almost 10 months. In injury time, Sagna steered a shot inches past the far post. .

At the whistle, the home fans threw their anger at referee Mark Clattenburg. However this afternoon the official had got the key decisions right.

All Arsenal had done was take full advantage.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3293493/first-team/manchester-city-v-arsenal?tab=report

[size=6]Loanees Report: Bartley returns as Randall departs[/size]

Welcome to this weekends Loanees Watch – Young Guns’ analysis, reports and updates on the progress of the young starlets currently plying their trade away from the Emirates Stadium. You can read all the latest reports below.

Luke Freeman started and played 57 minutes for Yeovil Town against Brighton at The Withdean Stadium. Freeman was his typical hard working self but he struggled to impose his play in a 2-0 defeat.

Kyle Bartley returned to the Sheffield United squad after suffering a fractured jaw, but he was an unused substitute in a 2-0 derby defeat against Doncaster.

Vito Mannone was an unused substitute for Hull City as they lost 2-1 to Portsmouth at the KC Stadium.

Cedric Evina was an unused substitute for Oldham Athletic as they lost 2-1 to Southampton at St Mary’s.

Sanchez Watt is expected to start for Leeds United who take on Cardiff City on Monday night.

Francis Coquelin was not part of the Lorient side that lost 1-0 to Nancy.

Armand Traore was not included in the Juventus squad which drew 0-0 with Bologna.

Nacer Barazite was an unused substitute for Vitesse Arnhem as they were thrashed 4-1 by FC Utrecht.

Pedro Botelho completed another impressive 90 minutes for FC Cartegena against Alcorcon. The Brazilian has been one of the stars of the Segunda season this year, and he continued his excellent form in the 1-0 win.

Samuel Galindo was not included in the UD Salamanca squad that was beaten 3-0 by Real Betis.

Elsewhere, Mark Randall completed his loan move to Rotherham this morning, signing a three month contract.
http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/10/loanees-bartley-returns-as-randall-departs/

[size=6]Lee Dixon's tactical view [/size]

It is difficult to say whether Arsenal have turned a corner following their 3-0 win at Manchester City on Sunday but things are very encouraging at this point in time.

Last season they were struck down by two big problems: they were not good enough without the ball and they kept getting beaten by the big teams.

This term they have already been seen off by Chelsea, as well as West Brom, but when centre-back Thomas Vermaelen plays, I think there has been an improvement in defence just because they have spent another season learning from one another and they are intelligent players.

Without the 24-year-old Belgian I am not too convinced about the defence but another area which has improved is that of goalkeeper, which used to be a weekly talking point.

Lukasz Fabianski looks in form and a clean sheet against Manchester City will add to his growing confidence which I think was hugely helped by his penalty save in the Champions League victory over Partizan Belgrade on 28 September.

The 25-year-old Pole has certainly put pressure on fellow keeper Manuel Almunia and while he holds on to the shirt, it is a positive sign for Arsenal fans.

Mentally, the win against a team challenging for the title will be good for the whole Arsenal team.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's record against the top teams is poor and I read the other day in a newspaper that against Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City his win ratio is only 18% since 2008.

Wenger knows that consistency against the top teams will be crucial to competing for the title because the Premier League is more competitive now with Tottenham and the likes of Aston Villa all able to take points off them. When you play the teams near the top the important thing is not to lose.

Winning so convincingly at Eastlands, albeit against 10 men, will push Arsenal on to believe in themselves a bit more. I have to say that I am not convinced they can do it for the whole season but I want them to prove me wrong.

Another plus point from the Gunners' season so far has been their added options when it comes to attacking from midfield areas. Much has been made of Jack Wilshere's emergence into the first team, but without the suspended Englishman on Sunday, Frenchman Samir Nasri was outstanding.

Nasri, who scored Arsenal's first goal, can be in captain Cesc Fabregas's shadow sometimes, but he has a really good footballing brain and knows how to draw defenders out of position. The 23-year-old takes the pressure off Fabregas and when such a technically gifted pair play together, as a defender, it is very difficult to look after them at the same time.

Add in Wilshere, and the defensive value of Alex Song or Denilson, and Wenger has a wider range of players to choose from.

Listening to Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini afterwards he sounded very upbeat and proud of his players considering the manner of the defeat, but there was a team spirit and camaraderie that maybe in adversity he might not have seen before, so I think he can learn a lot from the game.

The only question I would have was playing 19-year-old Dedryck Boyata at centre-back in such a big game, but that might have something to do with the form of Joleon Lescott.
Both sides can win the league but I would say that leaders Chelsea are better than both of them at the moment.

A lot, too, has been said about Manchester United this week for obvious reasons, but I would be very careful of writing them off right now.

It will be interesting to know how the senior players like Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville deal with what Wayne Rooney said about his Old Trafford team-mates - I'm sure they will let him know.

When I was playing nobody ever talked about how much money they were on. You had an idea; I was not stupid enough to think I was getting the same money as Dennis Bergkamp or Thierry Henry but nowadays the ink is dried on the contract and it is in the newspapers. Whether the figures are accurate or not I do not know, but I doubt they are too far off.

I am pretty sure that in their own way, the senior players at the club will have a word with Rooney, whether they take the mickey out of him or one of them might go up privately and ask him what he thinks he was doing.

If it had been in our dressing room, someone would have said something to him, without question. He would have been made aware that the rest of the players were not happy with what he had said.

Whether Rooney cares or not, I am not sure. He does not seem like a player who worries too much about what other people think. There is a possibility that it could erode team spirit but a season in football can sometimes feel like 10 years in normal life.

You live your life from Wednesday to Saturday because you normally play two games a week. You do not have time to think about the past too much and players tend to be pretty forgiving.

If Rooney scores the winner in a Manchester derby they will not care how much money he is on. Things will have been said in the dressing room and then it will be 'right that's done, let's move on'.

If the team is not winning, however, then it will come up again but in the past Manchester United have been winners more than losers.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9122711.stm

[size=6]Arsenal set to reward in-form Nasri with new deal[/size]

Samir Nasri is set to be rewarded for his early season form with a new five year deal.

Nasri, 23, has been outstanding for Arsenal and the club are moving to tie him down on a new contract extension.

French midfielder Nasri’s current deal expires in 2012 and Arsene Wenger has admitted the club are trying to ensure key players are not allowed to run down their contracts.

Arsenal boss Wenger wants to be certain the club’s prize assets do not get too far into the final two years of their contracts and therefore Nasri is top of their hit-list for negotiations.

Nasri, who joined in a £10m move from Marseille in 2008, has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season and the club want to extend his contract up to 2015.

Wenger was full of praise for Nasri after his performance in the win at Manchester City and believes he will go from strength to strength this season.

Wenger said: “At 23 years old your career starts at the top level and he is becoming more efficient. I think he has become stronger physically and you judge a player with his numbers.

“On Sunday he had a goal and an assist so that’s what you want from players who have a lot of talent like he has.

“He is quite a complete player because he can run with the ball, he is quick and he is a clinical finisher now. I believe we have a great player in him now.”

Arsenal are also likely to try and negotiate a contract extension for Andriy Arshavin, 29, in the next few months.

Meanwhile, Wenger will again field a strong line-up at Newcastle in the Carling Cup as Arsenal look to end their five-year trophy drought.

Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner and Kieran Gibbs are set to start at St James’s Park but Cesc Fabregas and Marouane Chamakh are likely to be rested.

Young Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny, 20, is set to play at Newcastle as Vito Mannone is out on loan at Hull, Manuel Almunia is injured with Lukasz Fabianski set to be rested.

Hot prospect Szczesny, in the final year of his contract, has warned he will consider his future unless he is given a chance and Wenger will not want to lose him after putting him on the bench for recent first team games.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-s-Samir-Nasri-is-set-for-a-new-contract-as-a-reward-for-his-fine-early-season-form-article613561.html

Walcott set for comeback at Newcastle

[size=3]By Richard Clarke[/size]

Arsène Wenger will continue to field a stronger Carling Cup side in the Fourth Round tie at Newcastle on Wednesday night.

For many years the Frenchman sent out teams that showcased the Club’s youngest talent in this competition. However at Tottenham in the last round, he employed a relatively experienced squad and was rewarded with a handsome 4-1 victory.

Speaking to TV Online on Tuesday lunchtime, Wenger revealed he would be repeating the approach at St James’ Park.

“It will be similar to Spurs,” said Wenger. “We have players coming back like Walcott, Bendtner and Vela. Koscielny is fit to start. They will play.

“From the Man City game, we have no-one out [with injury]. One or two will be rested. Vela is back.”

However there will be a number of young players involved, including Wojciech Szczesny who will make only his second appearance for the first team.

“In the squad, we will have Eastmond, Lansbury and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas,” said Wenger. “Wojciech will be in goal.”

[size=6]Arsène Wenger confirms Arsenal's kids-only Carling Cup policy is over[/size]

Arsène Wenger has acknowledged the pressing need to claim Arsenal's first trophy in five years and will demonstrate his desire to win the Carling Cup by including a number of recognised first-team players in tomorrow night's fourth-round tie at Newcastle United.

The Arsenal manager ditched his established policy of using only youngsters in the competition in the previous round's victory at Tottenham Hotspur and will field such players as Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Kieran Gibbs and Laurent Koscielny at St James' Park. Wenger, who has been dismissive of the Carling Cup in the past but has also fielded under-strength teams in the FA Cup, reassured shareholders at the club's annual general meeting last week that he would "go for every single competition with every resource we have", with this evening's selection to reflect that urgency.

His comments at the AGM had prompted applause and some cheers from those present. Asked whether there had been a change in his selection policy for the League Cup, Wenger replied: "First of all because we have a big squad and, as well, I believe we have a good enough squad to go forward [and win] trophies. That's why I think: 'OK, let's go as far as we can.' If needed we can still always choose later but, at the moment, it is important for everybody to think we go for everything we can. I said to the players we will go for everything we can, as simple as that. And not really specifying one more than the other. That's why I believe we are on a good run and we want to keep that going.

"It's important to keep it moving no matter what competition it is. That's what we want to do. We are doing well in the Champions League and we have done well so far in the Carling Cup, and we are back on track in the championship. The win at Manchester City on Sunday was certainly a pivotal moment of our season because we could not afford a defeat. To keep in touch with the top teams and have a victory was mentally very important for the team. So it's just all movement. We want to end our wait for a trophy. We want to respond with the maximum commitment to the demands of people. The only thing I can promise is that we will try to give our best in every competition."

Wenger, speaking to Arsenal TV Online, admitted the pressure has mounted with each trophyless season stretching back to the 2005 FA Cup final victory over Manchester United. "Yes, there are, as well, a lot of demands from people who know you are at the top and they try always to find your weakness," he said. "They try to exploit that. You just have to look around Europe to see just how difficult it is to be consistently at the top, as we have been. You can see what we have done is quite remarkable, but we want more.

"I can understand that people want more and we want to give them more. You can only show attitude, commitment and we have talent, so let's go step by step and try and win the game tomorrow and keep that urgency and that attitude until the end of the season. I repeat: we will play with a good team [at Newcastle] and we do our best, and that's all we can do."

Walcott has not started a club game since August having suffered an ankle injury playing for England in Switzerland, his absence checking his fine early-season form which had brought four goals in three league appearances. "He was in fantastic form but what can you do about that?" Wenger said. "He is now physically very sharp in training and he has a good opportunity to show that he is fit to play."

Key senior figures such as Cesc Fábregas, Marouane Chamakh and Samir Nasri will be rested for the game on Tyneside, with Wojciech Szczesny starting his second game for the club in goal and Craig Eastmond, Henri Lansbury and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas the other youngsters to be involved at some stage.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/26/arsene-wenger-arsenal-carling-cup?CMP=twt_gu

Look at it this way, if at the end of the season we finish 2nd in the league, have a good FA Cup run and a good Champions League run and we win the League Cup I'll be pleased.

[size=6]Echoes of Cesc Fabregas coup as Arsenal plot move for new Barcelona starlet Sergi Samper[/size]

Arsenal are planning a raid on Barcelona's 'new Cesc Fabregas' - Sergi Samper - in a move almost identical to the coup they staged in 2003 to capture their current club captain, reports The People.

Arsene Wenger is hoping to entice the exciting youngster to The Emirates as soon as he turns 16 - which could signal a move in January.

The offer of a four-year contract and a fast-track into the Arsenal first team could entice Samper, just as a smiliar offer seven years ago persuaded Fabregas to move to London.

Following the long-running politics between the two clubs concering Catalan youth product Fabregas, Arsenal's latest move will surely infuriate Barcelona.

The parallels between the Gunners' earlier pursuit of Fabregas and their alleged interest in Samper could further sour relations between the two clubs, who engaged in a high-profile game of cat and mouse over Fabregas in the summer.

Samper, a star at Under-16 level with both Barca and the Spanish national team, is said to be an outstanding prospect, both technically and tactically astute.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/10/24/2180733/echoes-of-cesc-fabregas-coup-as-arsenal-plot-move-for-new

[size=6]The Unheralded Genius of Andrei Arshavin[/size]

13 games. 5 goals. 6 assists. How can someone with those numbers be so criticized? That is the story of Andrei Arshavin.

The Arsenal fans have one of the most gifted players in the Premier League in their ranks, but for some reason, a large part of the fans (at least a very vocal "minority") has been hugely critical of the diminutive Winger's form so far this season (and the previous one for that matter).

Originally a central attacking midfilder, Arshavin has been shunted out to the left for the Gunners, as Cesc Fabregas is the player that Arsene Wenger has built his team around has that role. As a consequence of this, the Russian doesn't see as much of the ball as he would like during a match and finds it hard to have a major influence in his team's play.

The main criticism directed at Arshavin is that he doesn't work hard enough and that he fails to make a significant impact and take the games by the scruff of its neck in the absense of Fabregas.

The latter has been previously explained, it is understandable that Gooners want to see their record signing get on the ball more and show his flashes of genius in a more consistent basis. However, even when Fabregas is out the side, Wenger tends to opt for Samir Nasri or young Jack Wilshere in the CAM position, thus Arshavin rarely gets to play where he likes. About his work rate, he has always been this sort of player and Arsenal were well aware of that when they signed him. Even when he was getting praises from all sides, his work rate wasn't that incredible. I do however, think that he does work as hard as he can for the team and that is often overlooked.

Throughout last season, he was forced to play as a lone striker due to the amount of injuries Arsenal had accumulated by December. Playing with his back to goal didn't suit him at all, with his build he was unable to hold the ball up, but regardless of that, he tried his hardest and actually had a decent run. After an excelent display at Stoke and a brilliant winner at Anfield, Arshavin remained centralized and despite a slight goal drought, did very well, getting a number of assists in the process as he helped Arsenal reach the summit of the Premier League by the end of January. His movement off the ball was very impressive in the way that it helped open up defences and create spaces for the incoming midfielders, but since this aspect of the game is severely overlooked by many, people just saw Arshavin as a frustrated figure, that got little of the ball and didn't do much to change that. At the time, he was also carrying an injury and had to keep on playing as he was Arsenal's only option and didn't want to hide away from his responsibilities. That attitude has to be commended, but for some reason, Arsenal fans just seemed to overlook it. As soon as Bendtner got back into the side, Arshavin picked up his form again and was crucial in a number of games that saw Arsenal keep their title challange on track up until he got injured in the Champions League.

At Arsenal, he has never been the player to be on the ball all the time, as that is very difficult for someone playing in a wide position. Even in his early days, when Arsenal fans fell in love with him, he wasn't like that. In his 4 goal flurry at Anfield, he must have touched the ball less than 10 times. That is what Arshavin gives you.

Often you wont see him for 10-20 minutes in a game, but then he'll pick the ball up and give you something special. That was the case at Man City on the weekend. He was a very frustrated figure for the first 20 minutes on the left, but then he played a delightful one-two with Samir Nasri which created the opener for Arsenal. He was also crucial in the move for the second goal, but somehow, some sections of the fans still criticized him for not having a good game. That has been his story this season. He has created a many things outta nothing, but somehow he keeps getting criticized. 5 goals (Blackpool, Blackburn, Braga, Partizan, Tottenham) and 6 assists (Blackpool, 2x Braga, Bolton, WBA and Manchester City). As well as crucial contributions that don't go into statistics (his involvement in the second goal vs City, the "assists" for the penalties at Spurs, where he won the game for Arsenal). Its the most efficient Arsenal player in the season and as Wenger pointed it out, the player that has created the most chances in the Premier League.

About his poor work ethic? Get over it, when you have a man as efficient as this and capable of such brilliance in your side, there is a price to pay. If you ask me, its a very fair trade.
http://football-speak.blogspot.com/2010/10/unheralded-genius-of-andrei-arshavin.html

[size=6]Report: Newcastle United 0-4 Arsenal[/size]

By Chris Harris

Arsenal marched into the Quarter-Finals of the Carling Cup with a convincing win at Newcastle on Wednesday night.

Four goals - one crazy, one controversial and two classy – did the trick to leave Arsène Wenger’s side just two steps from Wembley.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul’s bizarre own goal on the stroke of half time gave Arsenal an advantage they just about deserved and Theo Walcott’s cool finish doubled their lead as Newcastle screamed for an offside decision against Nicklas Bendtner.

The Dane settled matters on his own with an unerring strike into the top corner and Walcott raced clear to give the scoreline some gloss with two minutes left.

Arsenal are no strangers to the last eight of the Carling Cup but, with so many big names already out of the competition, they may never get a better chance to lift the trophy.

On the strength of this performance they look determined to do just that.

Before the game Arsène Wenger declared that he would use the “core” of his first-team squad for this test on Tyneside. He was true to his word. The Frenchman made wholesale changes from the weekend win at Manchester City but, more instructively, just four from the team he picked to face Tottenham in the previous round of the Carling Cup.

Two youngsters, Wojciech Szczesny and Craig Eastmond, were given their chance while two forwards, Walcott and Bendtner, started their first matches since returning from injury. Meanwhile Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin lurked among the substitutes – make no mistake, Wenger had his eyes very much on this prize.

The manager expected a “hot atmosphere” at St. James’ Park but, with one tier of the ground almost entirely empty, the Newcastle fans were quieter than usual.

Arsenal should have silenced them in the opening seconds.

Only 22 seconds had elapsed when Carlos Vela sped down the left and fizzed in a low shot. Krul turned the ball aside for a corner.

When that came over, Bendtner had three bites of the cherry. His first shot was blocked, his next attempt appeared to strike a defender’s hand and, after the ball had bounced back to him, the Dane fired straight at Krul.

That was just the first minute. And Arsenal didn’t let up.

Emmanuel Eboue was next to threaten, cutting inside from the right and shooting with his left. Moments later Walcott raced down the right and crossed only to see the loose ball elude Tomas Rosicky. Then Bendtner got goal-side of his marker and scuffed a left-foot shot wide. And Kieran Gibbs got in on the act too with a fizzing low shot that swerved off target.

Eight shots in seven minutes: a flying start if ever there was one. But too many of those shots were straight at Krul and Newcastle survived. And occasionally thrived.

Their big dangerman was Nile Ranger – an Arsenal fan but very much a thorn in Arsenal’s side.

He brushed past Johan Djourou in the opening stages and then raced through on goal on the quarter-hour. Szczesny dithered, decided to come and was beaten by Ranger, only for Laurent Koscielny to make a vital block.

Sczzesny soon redeemed himself. From the resulting corner the ball landed at Alan Smith’s feet 30 yards from goal. He let fly and Szczesny flew to his right to fingertip the ball onto the bar. A wonderful save.

The tie calmed down after that frantic opening and there was one piece of bad news for Arsenal as Gibbs limped off after a challenge with Wayne Routledge. Another slice of bad luck for the England left back.

Newcastle matched their guests for a while but Arsenal regained a semblance of control as the half came to a close.

Bendtner weaved into the box but his shot lacked power. Then Eboue, now at left back, raced down the left and fired into the side-netting from a narrow angle when he should really have picked out a team-mate inside the box.

Bendtner had another try four minutes before the break, exchanging passes with the impressive Denilson before hitting a first-time shot straight at Krul.

That had been the problem really – too many shots straight at the Newcastle keeper. But that was all it took to give Arsenal the lead seconds before the half-time whistle.

Walcott’s corner from the left was half-cleared, Rosicky nodded it back into the danger area and Bendtner rose to head goalwards. The Dane’s effort was hardly thunderous but it went under Krul. Ryan Taylor tried to clear off the line but his header hit Krul and rolled in.

It was certainly ‘Krul’ on the home side – but Arsenal had their lead.

James Perch almost profited from another left-wing corner early in the second half but nodded just over the bar. And that was as close as Newcastle got to making a game of it - within four minutes they were two adrift.

If Arsenal’s first goal was crazy, this one was controversial. Bendtner was yards offside when a ball was played over the top but Walcott ran through from an onside position and lifted the ball over Krul.

Newcastle’s players were up in arms – they felt Bendtner was interfering with play – but the goal was allowed to stand.

The hosts threw on local hero Andy Carroll in an attempt to peg Arsenal back and he screwed one left-footed shot wide from just inside the box.

Taylor forced a low save from Szczesny down at his left-hand post as Newcastle pushed on and Koscielny and Djourou stood firm as another sub, Jonas Gutierrez, curled in a string of teasing crosses.

Wenger looked to shore things up by replacing Carlos Vela with Fabregas 20 minutes from time and, although the home side persevered, Arsenal looked dangerous on the break.

And with eight minutes left they settled the issue.

Bendtner collected the ball on the corner of the box, steadied himself and lashed a shot into the top corner for his second goal in two games.

Taylor forced a fine save from Szczesny and Carroll shot just wide once more but Walcott had the final word with another slick finish on the counter-attack.
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