Team:
Seaman
Dixon
Adams
Keown
Winterburn
Ljungberg
Vieira
Petit
Overmars
Bergkamp
Anelka
Subs used:
Hughes
Mendez
Wreh
Scorers:
Bergkamp (2, 1 pen.)
Anelka
Stadium this afternoon. Before the match there seemed to be more concern regarding the problems people had getting home from Wembley on Wednesday than for the match in hand.� My thoughts went back to the Championship run in when we annihilated the Toon last season, when I reckoned they looked poor in all areas.� I was interested to see them again under Ruud Gullit, to see what improvements his methods had brought. To witness Ruudi's "Sexy Football".
Arsenal kicked off attacking the North Bank goal. From the outset, Arsenal the more sexy of the two sides!!! Within the first two minutes, Adams came close as he headed a Petit corner into the top of the net. It was only by good keeping from Given that an early embarrassment for the Toons were avoided.� Arsenal were ina class of thier own.
Ljungberg ran circles around the Toon, and was constantly harrasssed by Batty.� This was our first real sight of Freddy. He worked hard, and plays intelligent balls into dangerous areas, and is prepared to have a go when needed.�
Bergkamp was the next to come forward - running in on the keeper with a fine pass in from Vieira - he had a go but it went just wide. � Rather than dropping his shoulders though, this seemed to spur him on.
Vieira and Petit seemed to really gel in the first twenty minutes, and utterly dominated the midfield with strong, accurate tackling and some excellent passing.� Newcastle were starting to look worst for wear already- even though they hadn't even conceded. But the inevitable was not much longer in coming. Anelka sprung the ball through the defence for Bergkamp to stumble over Pearce before smacking the ball into the far bottom corner of the goal. His drought is over
The goal raised Arsenal's game significantly. Before the goal we were dominant, after it, Newcastle didn't have a look in. Arsenal showed thier eagerness with several off-sides against them. Bergkamp was in front of goal, but not really in a position to score - so the ball went out wider for Anelka to run in on and knock in. 2-0.
Newcastle really only had three men on the pitch.� � Solano, who worked really hard, ran his socks off, tackled and attempted to make some chances for Shearer but failed miserably, respect to him all the same!!!
When the first half was over the stats said it all !!! Newcastle had had one shot, and even that wasn't on target.
The second half continued in the same fashion as the first. One way traffic. Sexy Football as Ruud would call it failed miserably against the champions. Even the fans at the Clock End started chanting "Sexy Football".� 20 minutes in, Overmars found the ball in midfield and charged down towards goal and was mercilessly brought down by Dabizas, who was then booked for the second time, and was sent off. � Bergkamp stepped up for the penalty and smacked the ball along the ground into the left hand corner of the goal to give the Arsenal fans somthing else to cheer about!!! 2 goal for Bergy and Newcastle down to 10 men.
Five minutes later Albert brought down Bergkamp in the box, and Dennis had the chance to take the match. In a repeat of the first penalty, tho' this time, Given was ready for it, and made a good save.
With both Bergkamp and Anelka on the score sheet this could be the start of a good run for us.� With Liverpool being again unimpressive we should be able to use this win to give us a head start for the Xmas months, when puny Man U tend to start thier climb up the table!!!