New-found resilience takes Arsenal back to the top

NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 ARSENAL 1
By Ricky Butler at St. James's Park

LEAGUE titles are won over 38 games. Over the course of the season there will be occasions when you play well and win convincingly while at other times you will need to grind out a result.

In recent years that has been the one quality Arsenal has lacked. All too often they have been found wanting when the going gets tough. But this victory up at St. James's Park on Sunday shows that perhaps they are now ready to take that next step.

It was not always pretty. Far from it. But it is all about results at this time of the year and Arsenal had enough quality at both ends of the pitch to secure another festive three points to regain leadership of the Premier League.

This was not the free-flowing Gunners from earlier in the season. But, just as they had done here in the final game of last season to secure Champions League football, they managed to get a goal and hang on to it; the epitome of a title winning side.

Make no mistake about it, Newcastle are in the top eight on merit. Alan Pardew has build a very good side full of quality players and they started the day with a spring in their step. But these are the sort of games Manchester United always used to win on their way to the title and Arsene Wenger's side was able to do just that.

"We played against a very good side," said the Arsenal boss. "But I felt we controlled the game until we were leading 1-0 and then missed the chance for a second goal. The last 15-20 minutes was more difficult but we defended with great spirit and it is three great points for us."

The first half was typical of many Gunners games this season. They dominated possession but played in front of their opponents and rarely managed to get in behind. Missing the injured Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, Wenger's men seemed to lack that extra bit of spark in the final third.

Newcastle, on the other hand, was more direct, often stretching Arsenal down the right in particular, and a first half of precious few chances nearly ended with the hosts grabbing the lead. Moussa Sissoko's shot was well saved by Wojciech Szczesny while Mathieu Debuchy's header from the resulting corner came back off the crossbar.

But Arsenal upped the tempo at the start of the second half and it bore fruit for them just past the hour-mark. Cheick Tiote fouled Santi Cazorla 30 yards from goal and Theo Walcott's superb free kick delivery was glanced in by the head of Olivier Giroud; the Frenchman's first goal in eight games and 11th of the season.

Giroud heads the vital Arsenal winner at Newcastle on Sunday

Speaking of his centre forward, Wenger said: "Giroud gives us good balance in the team. He gives us a good structure up front. We are a short team; more technical, more mobility, and he gives us the ability to win the ball in the air."

It should have been all over moments later when Walcott was first denied by Tim Krul before seeing his clever follow-up effort cleared off the line by a combination of Debuchy and the crossbar.

But the heavy festive schedule seemed to take its toll in the closing stages as Wenger's troops were forced to hang on to what they had.

It lead to a thrilling climax as the Toon sensed an equaliser but this Arsenal side are made of sterner stuff these days and they were able to stand firm in the face of the late onslaught to claim a vital three points.

Wenger said: "It gives me huge satisfaction (to go into the New Year on top). We have surprised many people but as you can see this team is ready for a fight. So lets keep fighting and keep developing this team."

Arsenal has now picked up 82 points from 38 games in 2013, a total not bettered by anyone else in the Premier League, and conceded just 34 goals. They have added a steely determination to the obvious flair and suddenly the title looks a real possibility.

Of course nothing is won in December and with just two points now separating the top three, every single victory is going to be crucial going into the New Year. But if they continue to show this sort of resilience, 2014 may just be Arsenal's year.

NEWCASTLE UNITED - Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye, Anita (Ameobi 74), Gouffran (Ben Arfa 62), Sissoko (Haidara 79), Remy.

ARSENAL - Szczesny, Sagna, Mertersacker, Koscienly, Gibbs (Arteta 70), Wilshere, Rosicky, Flamini, Walcott (Jenkinson 80), Cazorla, Giroud (Bendtner 86).

REFEREE - L. Probert

ATTENDANCE: 52,161.

Stalemate at the Emirates as Wenger rues late misses

ARSENAL 0 CHELSEA 0
By Ricky Butler at the Emirates



Olivier Giroud missed late chances to give Arsenal victory last night

IT WAS a case of Bah Humbug for Arsene Wenger last night as he was once again unable to get one over on old foe Jose Mourinho.

In a game of precious few chances, Frank Lampard hit the bar for Chelsea in the first half while Olivier Giroud missed two late chances for the Gunners which would have seen them top the table at Christmas.

But Wenger was left frustrated after his side were denied a first half penalty when Theo Walcott was clipped in the area by Willian.

He said: "It was a penalty, 100%. I have regrets because I felt on points we should have won this game. The game was locked tactically by Chelsea.

"We were a bit edgy at the start because of our last result and it took us a while to get going. We were maybe less fluent than we can be. We played maybe with the handbrake because we knew we had not to lose this game."

But in truth neither side really did enough to earn three points where fear of losing became more important than winning.

In wet and windy conditions it took over half an hour for an opportunity to be created. Eden Hazard's lovely ball over the top of the Arsenal defence was met with a sweet volley from Lampard but the ball crashed out from the underside of the crossbar.

Then came the controversy. Jon Obi Mikel was late and over the top on Mikel Arteta on half way but referee Mike Dean allowed play to go on, and after Mesut Ozil had fed Theo Walcot inside the area, Willian clipped the England winger.

Dean again angered the home crowd by waving away their appeals for a penalty and a disappointing half drew to a close with a poor effort from Willian on the counter attack.

The second half promised better but failed to deliver. The game become a war of attrition with Ozil and Branislav Ivanovic squaring up at one point and that summed up the evening.

But Wenger's side could have nicked all three points in the closing stages. Tomas Rosicky, in for the suspended Jack Wilshere, fed Aaron Ramsey who's lovely ball fell perfectly to the left foot of Giroud. But with only Petr Cech to beat the Frenchman lashed his shot wide of the near post.

Then with less than five minutes remaining, Rosicky combined with Kieran Gibbs down the left and this time Giroud was denied by the knee of the Chelsea goalkeeper from inside the six-yard box.

Mourinho made his intentions clear by replacing Fernando Torres with defender David Luis in the closing stages and what they had they held.

"It was a game where both want to win," said the Chelsea boss. "But it was a game where both teams don't want to lose.

"For us it was more important not to lose. If we lose we go to five points behind the leader and with this result we keep two points distance.

"We controlled the game with a very good defensive concentration and stability. OK, we don't go to Christmas as leaders, but we go with evolution because last season the championship was already lost by this point. Now, we are there."

In terms of the title race, this draw means that just two points now separate the top five.

Mourinho said: "It is a unique situation, an unbelievable championship because we are all there. Manchester United and Tottenham are not in this top four but they should be."

Wenger, meanwhile, said: "It is very interesting. It will be very tight. It will come down to the team who is most consistent. For everyone who follows the Premier League it is interesting."

Unlike this game.

Arsenal are next in action on Boxing Day away at West Ham while Chelsea face Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.

ARSENAL - Szczesny, Sagna, Mertersacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Rosicky, Ozil, Giroud.

CHELSEA - Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpiliquerta, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Willian (Oscar, 77), Hazard (Schurrle, 73), Torres (David Luiz 87).

REFEREE - M. Dean

ATTENDANCE: 60,039

Nigel Winterburn - Mr Consistency

ARSENAL have had  a rich history of great left backs. From Eddie Hapgood in the 1930s right through to Ashley Cole in the early part of the 21st century, it has been the one position where the club has always been blessed.

Bob McNab was a double winner in 1971, Sammy Nelson won the FA Cup in 1979, Kenny Sansom captained the side to the League Cup victory in 1987. Cole, of course, has won the lot. However, the best of them all was probably a fuzzy-haired Brummy who was a late starter in league football.

 

Nigel Winterburn joined Arsenal from Wimbledon in the summer of 1987 at the age of 24. He had helped the Dons rise from Division Three (League One these days) to Division One in his four seasons at Plough Lane.

He had spent the early part of his career not getting a game at either Birmingham City or Oxford United but it was under Dave Bassett at Wimbledon that he began to build a reputation as a combative left back.

Perhaps not as technically gifted as others, Winterburn was instead a grafter who never gave less than 100%. So much so in fact, that he was voted fans player of the year in each of his four seasons at Plough Lane.

His early time at Highbury was not exactly a success. He spent six months in the reserves as under-study to the great Kenny Sansom and when he did finally get a chance in the first team, in December 1987, it was in an unfamiliar right back position.

It was in this position that he was involved in two incidents which put him in the spotlight in the early part of 1988. The first was in February in an FA Cup 5th round tie against Manchester United at Highbury. After missing the last minute penalty that sent Arsenal through 2-1, United's Brian McClair was openly mocked by Winterburn in front of the North Bank.

To this day it is unclear why he did it or what was said, but it clearly made a lasting impression on McClair and no doubt was behind the Scotsman landing several kicks in Winterburn's back during the now infamous brawl of Old Trafford two and a half years later. Perhaps this is where he earned the nickname 'Nutty Nige.'

It was another missed penalty, in April 1988, that would lead Winterburn to want to kick himself. After a series of missed spot kicks throughout the season, Arsenal had nominated Winterburn as the new penalty taker in early 1988 but they were not awarded another kick until the latter stages of the League Cup final at Wembley against Luton Town.

Leading 2-1 at the time, Winterburn knew if he scored the cup would be Arsenal's for a second year in a row, but his well struck penalty was saved by goalkeeper Andy Dibble and Luton came back to win 3-2.

However, Winterburn was build of stronger stuff and he came back better than ever. After Sansom left for Newcastle in the summer of 1988, he became the first choice left back for the start of the 1988-89 season. It was a position he would keep for the next 12 years.

As part of the famous back four alongside Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Lee Dixon, Winterburn would win 3 league titles, 2 FA Cups, 1 League Cup and 1 European Cup Winners Cup with the club. And he never let his performance levels drop.

In all he played nearly 600 times for the club, 4th in the all-time list behind David O'Leary, Adams and Dixon. The only surprise was that he won just 2 England caps, often below the likes of Tony Dorigo and Graeme Le Saux in the pecking order as under-study to Stuart Pearce.

But he was one of the first names on the team sheet at Highbury, firstly under George Graham and then Arsene Wenger. There was a brief period during the Bruce Rioch season in 1995-96 when Winterburn felt his days at Arsenal might be numbered, but the arrival of Wenger in 1996 gave his career a new lease of life.

Coming up to 33, many felt Winterburn's time at the club was coming to a end but he would be a regular in the side for the next three and a half years and helped the club to the Double in 1998.

That proved to be his last trophy success with Arsenal. By early 2000 he had lost his place to Brazilian Silvinho and at the end of the 1999-2000 season he left Highbury for West Ham.

Winterburn would play on for another two and half seasons at Upton Park before retiring in February 2003 with over 850 career appearances to his credit.

When  looking for role models, young footballers these days probably turn their attentions to Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi but they would do well to follow the example set by Winterburn.

Lacking the natural gifts of others, Winterburn showed that there is no substitute for hard work and application, and a look through his medal collection shows just what can be achieved.

I was a regular at Highbury throughout the 1990s and it was great time to follow the club. We saw some truly great players such as Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright, Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira. But one of my favourites would have to be Mr Consistency.

He gave us so many great memories. The crunching tackles, the unusual puffed-out-cheeks running style and some spectacular goals. The right-footed effort against Wimbledon as we closed in on the 1989 title will never be forgotten. And what about the winner at Chelsea in 1997?

It was easy to take Winterburn for granted. He was just always there. He rarely had an outstanding game - I cannot remember him getting man of the match award for example - but he never had a poor game either. He was a 7 out 10 every week without fail.

I may be biased as I grew up watching him, but if I had to select my favourite English player of all time it would probably be the fuzzy-haired Brummie.

Nutty Nige, I salute you.

Renaissance man Bendtner tames the Tigers

ARSENAL 2 HULL CITY 0
By Ricky Butler at The Emirates


GOALS at the start of each half from renaissance man Nicklas Bendtner and Mesut Ozil at the Emirates last night saw Arsenal maintain their four point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

There had been groans of discontent before kick off when the Danish striker's name was announced in the line up - his first Premier League start for the club since March 2011 - but he wasted no time in making his mark, heading home a delicious cross from Carl Jenkinson after just 90 seconds.

"It was a fantastic feeling," said a delighted Bendtner on the goal. "I think my celebration was a show of that."

That set up Wenger's side for a comfortable night against Steve Bruce's newly promoted Tigers, who had beaten Liverpool at the weekend, and the Gunners should have been out of sight before the break.

Hull, who became first team to come from behind to win at the Emirates back in 2008, rarely threatened a repeat and the only surprise was that it was still only 1-0 as the sides went off at half time.

Aaron Ramsey looked determined to add to his 13 goals this season with several efforts, one of which brought a terrific save from Hull goalkeeper Alan McGregor, while Laurent Koscielny, Ozil and Bendtner all came close.

But any nerves were eased within two minutes of the restart. Nacho Monreal, another making his first Premier League start of the season, just managed to keep the ball in down the left and Ramsey fed Ozil with a delightful pass which the little German stroked past McGregor with the minimum of fuss.

Wenger had made five changes to the side which had won at Cardiff on Saturday. As well as Bendtner - in for the rested Olivier Giroud - and Monreal, Jenkinson replaced the injured Bacary Sagna at right back, while in midfield Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini came in for Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta.

Despite the changes, however, Arsenal got off to the perfect start. A lovely interchange of passes down the right between Ramsey and Rosicky released Jenkinson and the full back's cross was powerfully dispatched by the head of the returning Dane.

"It's been difficult for the players who have not been in the team because we have had such great form," said Bendtner. "But everyone who comes in just takes it in his stride and goes with it."

After the second goal, another well worked move finished off in style from record signing Ozil, Arsenal could relax. Santi Cazorla, Ramsey and Bendtner could all have added to the scoring but the clean sheet was the most pleasing aspect for Wenger, the fourth in a row and a seventh in the last nine matches.

"This is the basis, the foundation of the team," said the Arsenal boss. "You know once you are 1-0 up you can rely on the defence. That gives you the confidence to relax and go forward."

Speaking of the defensive improvement this season, Wenger said: "I believe individually the players have improved and collectively they have improved as they know each other much better. The confidence and the results help as well.

"We were serious tonight, had great technical quality and our combinations were fantastic. The only regret you have is that maybe we were not clinical enough in front of goal."

With many critics believing Arsenal do not have enough strength in depth to win the title, Wenger was able to bring on Wilshere, Arteta and Theo Walcott in the closing stages and still has Lukas Podoloski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to come back from injury.

"It is difficult to leave players out who deserve to play but the attitude and togetherness of the squad is great," said the Frenchman.

With another big week ahead - Everton visiting the Emirates on Sunday before trips to Napoli and Manchester City - Wenger will need all the players at his disposal.

"Yes, we have a massive week ahead but I am confident we will do well. We will take it step by step and focus on Everton first then see what we can do in Naples."

ARSENAL - Szczesny 7, Jenkinson 7, Mertersacker 7, Koscielny 7, Monreal 7, Flamini 8, Ramsey 7 (Arteta 80 7), Cazorla 7, Ozil 8, Rosicky 7 (Wilshere 73 7), BENDTNER 9 (Walcott 73 7).

HULL CITY - McGregor 8, Meyler 6, Chester 6, Bruce, 6, Elmohamedy 6, Huddlestone 5, Figueroa 7, Livermore 6, Brady 6 (Rosenior 58 6), Sagbo 5 (Nagy 73 6), Graham 5 (Boyd 58 5).

REFEREE - Andre Mariner 7.

ATTENDANCE: 60,017