Lowell Hornby 
Back to winning ways.
A win of absolute necessity for Arteta’s Arsenal - and a second half performance of necessity too. How we all needed that.
It felt as if it was a game that has been partnered with the most expectation. Coming off the back of a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool, a response of some kind was of vital importance. It felt like a real test of this team’s resilience - and particularly the resilience of a few players. Although bigger tests are imminent, you can only beat what’s in front of you…
I think most fans were surprised with the team selection. Maybe less so in terms of Lokonga keeping his place, but with Tavares on the team sheet there was definitely shock.
Having been found out at Liverpool - and with Tierney presumably back to full fitness - I don’t think anyone expected Arteta to keep his faith in him as he did.
Maybe a case of not wanting to undermine his confidence?
I can imagine that being a 20 year old LB, having a stinker the week before and then being dropped the week after would be bad for morale.
On Saturday, Mikel may have known that he could get away with it, at Old Trafford I’m not so sure.
The first half provided very little excitement. Possession and chances, but absolutely nothing to show for it. It felt as if it may be one of those games - a feeling that was definitely not helped by our dreadful shooting. Four of these terrible shots came in extremely frustrating style from Nuno - who on his first half display had not repayed the faith showed in him from Mikel Arteta.
It was pedestrian like at times, although we should’ve gone into HT at least 1-0 up as Auba somehow smacked the post from what can’t have been further than a yard out. Newcastle completed 51 passes in that first half, Ben White completed 47…
HT, 0-0, and a very cold Arsenal crowd’s frustration was growing.
Whatever Mikel said at half time worked though! No tactical changes, but a noticeable change in tempo saw Arsenal push on. Saka, who was fantastic all game, produced some magic footwork to beat two down the right hand side only to fire at Dubravka.
The signs were there though. Ten minutes later, the first moment of magic of the afternoon was produced. ESR to Saka, Saka to ESR, ESR to Nuno, Nuno to Saka, Saka straight into the bottom corner.
A goal with fluid footballing quaility which the Arsenal of old would have been proud of. A beautiful goal, and Saka’s celebration seemed to pay tribute to a certain Mesut Ozil - who contributed to many a goal of similar footballing beauty during his time at the club.
The second moment of magic again came ten minutes later. Martinelli, who came on for the injured Saka, looked like a man who had been waiting for an opportunity to prove his quality. Boy did he do that.
Tomiyasu floated a delicious ball over the top for Gabi, who watched the ball carefully as it was coming over his shoulder, and then delicately fired the ball into the far corner.
A fantastic goal, from a man who certainly put in his shout for a place in the team… Two moments of magic defined an afternoon made satisfying by the second half resurgence of the Gunners - who comfortably saw out the three points and the clean sheet.
Arteta’s young Guns bounce back, and prove that there is a team there that can play with the kind of fluidity and quality that many Arsenal fans of an older generation have become accustomed to seeing. The reaction was impressive but, playing a team who are the only of 92 to have not won a game this season, the real test of Arsenal’s nerve will come at Old Trafford on Thursday (a game which will see Ralf Rangnick take charge for the first time).
A satisfying three points and, as aforementioned, necessary three points. The rest of the weekend’s football to enjoy, and an away day in Manchester to follow. Until then, Gunners.
Lowell Hornby features in the pages of the current Gooner Fanzine. Buy it here
Lowell plans to attend every Arsenal Premier League game this season and will be writing about it for the Gooner Fanzine.
Read the brilliant Lowell's previous pieces below:
Arsenal's victory over Watford at the Emirates on Invincibles Day
Arsenal's stirring victory over land and sea and Leicester
Gunners outclass and overwhelm the Villa
Arsenal's frustrating evening against Palace
Arsenal's rain-check at wet and windy Brighton
My word Arsenal were good against Spurs
Another disappointing performance
Brentford: my first ever away game
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Learn more about Lowell in his own words.
My name is Lowell Hornby.
I’ve been a devout Gooner for all I can remember. I was taken to my first Arsenal game in 2007 and never looked back.
I’ve never really thought of football being in my life as a conscious choice, more of a genetic deficiency.
The relationship my Dad (who some of you may know: Nick Hornby, author of Fever Pitch) has developed with football inevitably has rubbed off on me.
It feels like it’s a lot more than results; it’s the club, the feeling, the fans, the friends - everything.
In my year off, after an unimaginably painful 18 months of fan-less football, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than follow my beloved Arsenal up and down the country as I attempt to go to every Premier League game this season.
The pieces I write will document not just the games, but my experiences, the cities, the journeys, the people.
I hope in doing so I can capture, express, articulate and transmit the visceral emotions of myself, fellow Gooners and football fans as a whole.
I live and breathe football, and I hope these pieces and my project this season can convey that in a way that’s enjoyable to experience vicariously.
If you’d like to be following me more casually, and be notified of any pieces of course, my Twitter handle is @weststandlowell and I’ll be tweeting over there. COYG
