What a finish to the game, I figured I would write this while the emotion of the game is still flowing through my veins. Just when it looked like we would have to settle for the draw up popped TV after a crazy dash from the halfway line to give is a more than deserved win.

From the off we looked like we were going for the 3 points, within the first 3 minutes Theo had fizzed in an excellent cross which Captain Vantastic was inches shy of converting. This was followed moments later when Van Persie controlled a high ball on the chest but his second touch let him down.

Against the run of play The Pigeons and their highly punchable manager were in front. TV gave the ball away and Gibbs found himself isolated against the dangerous Ben Arfa who cut inside on his left and fired a rifle of a shot past Szcz into his near post. To be fair to the keeper I don’t think he could have done much to prevent the goal.

While Sky were still farting around showing replays of the goal we broke down the right wing and just as the picture resumed live Theo crossed for RVP who controlled the ball with his left before an excellent right foot touch allowed him to fire past Krul to make it 1  – 1. The rest of the half consisted of us controlling the play without creating many clear-cut chances while Newcastle with the aid of Howard Webb broke up our play with a series of niggly fouls.

The Second half followed the same pattern as the first with the Arse having a 70/30 split of possession with the excellent Rosicky making tackles and trying his best to create things in the middle. The game looked to be heading for a draw as Webb allowed Krul to waste time at every available opportunity much to the annoyance of the crowd and RVP who took exception to the tactic on multiple occasions. TV had other ideas as an Arsenal counter through a Song ball out to the Lively Theo on the right allowed a cross to be played into the box which TV managed to convert with his right foot after a poor attempt at clearing the ball from The Pigeons.

This win leaves us 3 points behind the Spuds with only 10 games left in the season, at this stage you have to feel Wenger and the lads in the dressing room must be full of confidence and hopefully we will push on and claim what’s rightfully ours.  The performance tonight was full of commitment, skill, verve and the quick passing game which we display when we are at our best. The recent resurgence of Rosicky continued in full flow tonight with the midfielder showing a capacity for the tackle which could lead to a stint playing in central defence. Theo and Bac had their own way on the right with Walcott in particular looking dangerous. His couple of goals in the derby really looks to have given him his confidence back and he showed some touches of real composure you wouldn’t normally associate with the young man.

Lets take tonight’s spirit into what will be a very tough game away to the Toffees next and finish our season strongly, COYG

Laters

@WicklowGooner