IT’S LIFT-OFF FOR EMERY
Ramsey and Lacazette fire Arsenal into third
POWER shift? What power shift? for two seasons, Arsenal supporters have endured tottenham fans rubbing their faces in it.
for two seasons, they have been slapped down, told their days as north London’s top dogs were over.
Mauricio Pochettino’s trailblazing side had apparently ended Arsenal’s dominance — and appeared on course to leave their rivals scampering in their wake for the foreseeable future.
so, imagine the glee on Arsenal faces last night when Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette fired Unai Emery’s side up to third in the Premier League table — two points clear of tottenham.
if there was power shift, it was certainly shortlived.
Of course, with seven games to play it is not over. But for now, whatever gap tottenham believed they had built over their rivals has been wiped out in less than a season by Emery.
the level of the spaniard’s impact since his arrival is highlighted by the fact Arsenal have now amassed 63 points — as many as Arsene Wenger did in his final season. Arsenal are finally moving in an upward direction.
tottenham winning their first game tomorrow at the new White hart Lane against Crystal Palace now takes on even greater significance for them.
finishing above their neighbours has more profound consequences for Arsenal than just bragging rights. Qualifying for the Champions League has its obvious financial benefits and it also means attracting a higher calibre of player this summer.
Bournemouth’s Ryan fraser is interesting Arsenal’s recruitment staff, but reclaiming their position among Europe’s elite could tempt the money men to loosen the purse strings in search of more stellar signings.
Defeat here should not hinder Newcastle’s hopes of staying in the top flight because they are seven points above the drop zone. But Arsenal hardly shifted out of second gear last night and their performance was more workmanlike than wonderful.
that said, Rafa Benitez’s defensive approach meant the home side could play within hint he merge
themselves and still emerge as comfortable winners. ers.
Ramsey thought he had handed Arsenal al a 13th- minute e advantage when he fired home sead Kolasinac’s near-post header from Mesut Ozil’s corner. Butt Anthony taylor or awarded Newcastlee a free-kick after spotting tting sokratis pulling florian Lejeune’s shirt.
the occasional foray forward aside, Newcastle were content to stifle Arsenal. But Benitez’s plan was torn to shreds in the 30th minute as Arsenal edged ahead. Ramsey’s audacious flick into Lacazette’s path from Matteo Guendouzi’s pass unlocked Newcastle’s defence. And when Lacazette failed to capitalise ono his opportunity, Ramsey popped up to steer the loose ball past MarY Martin Dubravka. Yet again, despite their delight in watching Arsenal take the lead, home fans were left to question why Ramsey’s sRamsey’s contractual sisituation dragged on so much that the midmidfielder decided to join JJuventus on a free transfer this summer. for a cluclub that has been financially mis-managed in recent seasons, the Ramsey debacle appears the biggest error of them all. his importance to Emery’s side is unquestionable. Replacing Ramsey will not be easy — and it will certainly be expensive.
Newcastle nearly equalised in the 32nd minute when salomon Rondon’s near-post effort was saved by Bernd Leno after the striker had bullied sokratis off the ball.
it served as a warning to Arsenal, who were denied a second on the stroke of half-time when Matt Ritchie produced a flying goalline clearance to deny Lacazette.
Emery brought on PierreEmerick Aubameyang in search of greater firepower in attack, while the injured Ramsey was substituted for Mohamed Elneny after receiving lengthy treatment on a knock.
And you could sense the anxiety grow at the Emirates as every minute passed. Winning meant more than usual last night.
But Lacazette finally sealed victory in the 83rd minute, nipping in front of Jamaal Lascelles to
collect Aubameyang’s header and lob Dubravka.
Arsenal fans — on a night their team did the business — were intent on letting Tottenham know about it. ARSENAL (3-4-2-1): Leno 6.5; Mustafi 6, Sokratis 6, Monreal 6; Maitland-Niles 6.5, Guendouzi 6.5, RAMSEY 7.5 (Elneny 67min, 6), Kolasinac 6; Ozil 6.5 (Mkhitaryan 84), Iwobi 6.5 (Aubameyang 60, 6.5); Lacazette 7. Subs not used: Cech, Suarez, Jenkinson, Nketiah. Scorers: Ramsey 30, Lacazette 83. Booked: Monreal, Kolasinac. Manager: Unai Emery 6.5. NEWCASTLE (5-4-1): Dubravka 6; Yedlin 6, Lejeune 6, Lascelles 6, Dummett 6.5, Ritchie 6.5 (Kenedy 75, 6); Perez 6 (Muto 77), Hayden 6 (Ki 67, 6), Diame 6, Almiron 6; Rondon 6. Subs not used: Darlow, Shelvey, Fernandez, Manquillo. Booked: None. Manager: Rafa Benitez 6.5. Referee: Anthony Taylor 6. Attendance: 59,869.