Arsenal – Newcastle United

1. Join Chris Atkins from 2000 GMT for live text commentary of Arsenal v Newcastle as the Gunners look to close the gap on third-placed Tottenham.

2. Arsenal have been boosted by the news that midfielder <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1034659/tomas-rosicky-signs-new-arsenal-contract" target="_blank">Tomas Rosicky has signed a new contract</a>, after scoring twice in the last three games against Spurs and Milan.

3. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0813/gervinhoandjoeybartontussle_275x155.jpg"><br>Newcastle and Arsenal shared a 0-0 draw on the opening day of the season. Gervinho was sent off on his debut after a clash with Joey Barton.

4. <b>TEAM NEWS</b> Mikel Arteta returns for Arsenal, with Gervinho missing out. Newcastle remove Papiss Cisse from the first eleven, with Gabriel Obertan and Hatem Ben Arfa supporting Demba Ba.

5. <b>Arsenal:</b> Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Rosicky, Arteta, Walcott, van Persie, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

6. <b>Newcastle:</b> Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Obertan, Ba.

7. <b>STATS</b> With Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal concede an average of 0.94 goals per game. Without Vermaelen <i>The Gunners</i> concede 2.33 goals on average.

8. <b>STATS</b> Arsenal are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 matches against Newcastle in all competitions.

9. <b>STATS</b> Newcastle have conceded at least 3 goals in 4 of their last 6 away matches in Premier League.

10. <b>STATS</b> The last three times Arsenal have played Newcastle they have ended the encounter with 10 men.

11. Just under ten minutes until kick-off now at the Emirates. Big night for both sides' respective European hopes.

12. Moments from kick-off. The teams are on the pitch. Lets get ready to rumble!

13. Remember last season's 4-4 at St James' Park? Can we get a repeat at the Emirates tonight? Fingers crossed.

14. 1'

    <b>KICK OFF</b> taken by Newcastle.

15. 1'

    With a minute not yet on the clock, Demba Ba wins a corner as his shot is deflected behind.

16. 2'

    Coloccini attempts to rescue the overhit corner, but it sails out for a throw-in on the far-side.

17. 3'

    Walcott breaks onto a Sagna header down the right-hand side and sends a sumptuous ball across the face of goal. Van Persie should score, but manages to avoid making contact at the far-post.

18. 4'

    Coloccini takes a risk in his own penalty area, but manages to clear the ball and win the throw-in.

19. 5'

    Almost calamity in the Newcastle area. Williamson shepherds the ball for Krul to pick-up, but Van Persie nicks the ball away. Fortunately for Newcastle, Coloccini is there to clear.

20. 7'

    Alex Song is caught late in midfield by Tiote. Looks in some pain.

21. 8'

    Song is back on his feet and in the action. Tiote has been a busy man early on, getting on the ball in the midfield.

22. 9'

    Good spell of possession for Newcastle here.

23. 10'

    Walcott looks to attack down the right, but Davide Santon does brilliantly to out-muscle his opponent.

24. 11'

    Newcastle attack once more and it appears to open up for Demba Ba, but he turns back into trouble and the attack is over.

25. 13'

    Corner to Arsenal. Walcott attacks down the right and Coloccini does well to turn the ball behind.

26. 13'

    The cross from the corner is good and finds Walcott at the back-post. Tame effort.

27. 14'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL Arsenal 0-1 Newcastle United Ben Arfa strikes!!!</b> Obertan plays in Ben Arfa down the right channel, Kieran Gibbs allows him to turn onto his favoured left-foot and spank home at the near-post.

28. 15'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle Van Persie equalises!!!</b> Newcastle fall asleep and allow Van Persie to turn in the area and he finds the bottom corner coolly.

29. 16'

    What a couple of minutes. Alan Pardew will be fuming that they conceded the advantage so quickly.

30. 17'

    Walcott finds Van Persie in acres of space 20 yards out and the Dutchman fires his shot over the bar.

31. 18'

    Frenetic pace to this encounter. End-to-end attacks with both sides allowing the attacking players space.

32. 19'

    Arsenal trying to slow the game down now and play it on their pace. Need the midfield to step up and take authority of the game.

33. 20'

    Kieran Gibbs attacks down the left-flank, but this time overhits the ball and the attack fizzles out.

34. 21'

    Coloccini fouls Oxlade-Chamberlain yards from the penalty-box. Great chance for a left-footer, such as Van Persie.

35. 22'

    Hit powerfully around the wall by the Dutchman but straight at Tim Krul.

36. 23'

    Walcott turns two defenders on the right touch-line and supplies Bacary Sagna to cross. A lovely-ball is hit into the back-post area, but there is no-one on hand to finish.

37. 24'

    Once more Walcott looks to get behind Santon and looks to have succeeded, but the offside flag is raised.

38. 27'

    Arsenal having great fun down this right-flank. Sagna once more has space to swing in a fine cross. Cleared by Williamson.

39. 28'

    Arsenal on the attack, but Rosicky gives the ball away. Newcastle on the counter.

40. 29'

    Now Newcastle attack down their left. But Sagna is more than a match for Santon, pinching the ball with ease.

41. 30'

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42. 31'

    Arsenal have done really well since the goals. THey have some sort of authority on proceedings now. This right-flank is a constant source of 2v1 opportunities.

43. 32'

    Free-kick chance from the right-flank. Santon trips Walcott. Chance for the defenders to come forward for Arsenal.

44. 33'

    Van Persie tries to link-up with Walcott at the edge of the area, but his clever back-heel is just over-hit.

45. 35'

    Ben Arfa runs at Koscielny with menace down the Newcastle left. Cleared for a throw-in.

46. 35'

    Cabaye takes an ambitious effort from 30 yards, but the ball is never on target and skips well wide of the post.

47. 36'

    Koscielny down as Newcastle counter. Sportingly they put the ball out of play despite the good position.

48. 37'

    If you want, you can follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/chris_elastico" target="_blank">@chris_elastico</a>

49. 38'

    Back underway again. Koscielny will be ok, after kicking the bottom of Demba Ba's boot.

50. 39'

    Gutierrez crosses from the left, looking for Demba Ba, but the cross is poor and Szczesny claims.

51. 41'

    Newcastle fling a free-kick into the area and after a brief spell of head-tennis the ball falls to Gutierrez who pulls his shot wide. Corner anyway.

52. 41'

    Corner is easily cleared at the front-post.

53. 42'

    Oxlade-Chamberlain runs at Newcastle right-back Danny Simpson. Plays the ball off the defender for a corner.

54. 43'

    The corner falls in the Newcastle area and Walcott has a great chance to score. A tame effort is easily cleared by Tiote in the 6-yard box.

55. 44'

    Newcastle straight-away look to counter, but a Rosicky tackle overts the danger.

56. 45'

    Two minutes of added time...

57. 45'

    Newcastle struggling to mount attacks for the last few minutes. Another long-ball flies past Demba Ba for a goal-kick.

58. 45'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle

59. <b>STAT</b> This is the first time this season that Robin Van Persie has netted in three consecutive league games. 26 goals in 28 league games for the Dutchman

60. Arsenal have amassed 61% of the possession this first-half. Six shots to Newcastle's three.

61. The time between the two goals was recorded at 40 seconds. Incredible. Newcastle will be devastated about that.

62. Newcastle struggling down the left-side. Gutierrez not protecting his full-back well enough and Sagna is capitalising, overlapping to give Walcott space.

63. Right, time for the second-period. You get the feeling there is plenty of goals to come in this game.

64. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1034788/rennes-boss-frederic-antonetti-prepared-for-yann-m%27vila-exit?cc=5739" target="_blank">Rennes boss prepared for M'Vila exit</a> - A long-time target for many clubs, including Arsenal

65. 46'

    <b>SECOND-HALF</b> underway as Arsenal kick-off

66. 46'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Perch for Santon</b> in the Newcastle left-back position

67. 46'

    Straight-away Newcastle have a great opportunity on the counter-attack, but Gabriel Obertan wastes the move with a poor pass.

68. 47'

    At the other end, Alex Song tries to play in Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the youngster can't bring the ball down.

69. 48'

    Clash of heads between Ba and Koscielny. Both players should be fine to continue though.

70. 49'

    Walcott given time and space to cross once more. Rosicky steals in at the near-post and tests Krul with a fine header.

71. 50'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0312/robinvanpersiegoalarsenalvnewcastle20120312_275x155.jpg"><br>Robin van Persie equalised for Arsenal less than a minute after Newcastle had taken the lead

72. 51'

    Oxlade-Chamberlain fires an excellent twisting volley over the bar from 20 yards. Brilliant effort.

73. 52'

    Van Persie looks to get in behind the defence once more. Offside given this time.

74. 52'

    Free-kick to Arsenal. James Perch blocks Walcott's run 35 yards out.

75. 54'

    Interesting battle developing between those two. Perch closing Walcott quickly at every opportunity.

76. 55'

    Walcott clips a lovely ball into the box. Half-cleared, and Arteta spanks the ball goal-bound. Well-blocked by Tiote.

77. 55'

    Within seconds the ball comes to Van Persie again in the box. Well saved by Krul.

78. 57'

    Arsenal still looking to release Walcott at every opportunity. Long-ball from Rosicky over-hit this time.

79. 58'

    Rosicky does excellently. Turns his marker and plays a brilliant through-ball to Van Persie who fires straight at Kril from a tight-angle.

80. 59'

    Oxlade-Chamberlain cuts in from the right-flank and beats Simpson this time, but his shot flies well wide of the upright.

81. 60'

    Shola Ameobi being prepared to come on...

82. 61'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Ameobi for Obertan</b>

83. 61'

    Disappointing night for Obertan. He has been pretty awful.

84. 62'

    Arsenal getting incensed at time-wasting by Tim Krul. Doesn't seem to be doing much wrong though.

85. 63'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Tiote</b>. Surprise, surprise! Cheik Tiote booked for a trip in midfield.

86. 65'

    Vermaelen goes on one of his canters forward. Needs to be careful he doesn't leave the defense exposed.

87. 66'

    Newcastle struggling to get any possession at the moment. Ameobi will be charged with holding-up the ball better than they have.

88. 67'

    O dear! With Tiote injured in midfield, Arsenal break with Walcott. He does brilliantly and gives Rosicky a golden chance from 10 yards on his left foot, but it is a total mishit that goes for a throw-in.

89. 68'

    That really was an awful miss. Newcastle angered by Arsenal's lack of fair-play.

90. 68'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Gervinho for Oxlade-Chamberlain</b>

91. 70'

    Van Persie almost gets in behind again, but cannot pull down the lofted through-ball this time. Unlucky.

92. 71'

    Ameobi tries to flick on a long-ball and run around Vermaelen, but the Belgian is more than up to the task of dealing with the Newcastle striker.

93. 72'

    Arteta lofts a ball across the goal to the back-post, but only a fine defensive-header from Perch clears the danger.

94. 73'

    Demba Ba and Mikel Arteta down now after another midfield collision. Sure they will be ok in no time.

95. 74'

    Tiote sends in a delightful cross from deep aimed at Demba Ba, but Szczesny is quickly off his line to pluck the ball out the air.

96. 75'

    All getting a bit scrappy now. Arteta and Ameobi clash after the latter had shrugged-off Vermaelen. This will suit Newcastle.

97. 76'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Ramsey replaces Rosicky</b>

98. 77'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Koscielny</b> for a clumsy tackle on Demba Ba who was running powerfully at the defense.

99. 79'

    Danny Simpson caught-out at right-back, playing the ball short to Gibbs. The full-back quickly plays in Van Persie who flails a shot wide right-footed. Should score there.

100. 80'

     Walcott has had a fine night down the right-side and leaves Perch for dead with a great trick. His cross doesn't quite reach Van Persie though.

101. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Guthrie on for Tiote</b> who hobbles off holding his hamstring

102. 82'

     Arsenal throwing people forward now. Vermaelen is getting into the box at every opportunity.

103. 83'

     Free-kick comes flying across the six-yard box and finds Gervinho. Terrible effort, miscued from five yards out and well wide with his left-foot.

104. 84'

     Final reminder then. You can follow me on Twitter - <a href="http://www.twitter.com/chris_elastico" target="_blank">@chris_elastico</a>

105. 85'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Gutierrez</b> for a cynical foul on the touch-line.

106. 86'

     Newcastle looking very tired here. They will do well to hang-on until full-time

107. 87'

     Ramsey gets a shot away from 20 yards, but deflected for a corner. All Arsenal now.

108. 87'

     Well done Demba Ba. He buys his side time on the counter and wins a corner. Newcastle throw the big-men forward.

109. 88'

     Terrible corner from Ben Arfa. Cleared at the near-post.

110. 89'

     What can Arsenal muster then?

111. 89'

     Walcott gets in behind the left-back Perch once more, but his cross is headed clear by Williamson.

112. 90'

     Alex Song stands a ball up at the back-post and Vermaelen gets a powerful header away. Brilliant save from Krul to tip over the bar.

113. 90'

     Five minutes added time...

114. 90'

     All hands to the pump for Newcastle. Clearing the ball at every opportunity.

115. 90'

     Walcott wants a handball. His shot deflected off Coloccini and went just wide of the post.

116. 90'

     Koscielny is a lucky man. Clatters Cabaye, but recieves only a warning from Howard Webb. Could easily have been a second-yellow.

117. 90'

     On Walcott's hand-ball appeals - Correct decision. No hand-ball.

118. 90'

     Newcastle have the ball deep in Arsenal's half. Running down the clock at every opportunity.

119. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle Vermaelen at the last!!!</b> For the fourth game in a row, Arsenal have come from behind. A quick counter sees the ball fly across the goal, bouncing out to Vermaelen who tucks it home.

120. 90'

     Bust-up on the pitch now. Van Persie and Tim Krul exchanging words. Stupid from the two players, particularly the Arsenal skipper.

121. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Van Persie</b> Deserved. Stupidity.

122. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Krul</b> Fair. Equally idiotic.

123. 90'

     Walcott attacks the full-back once more. Perch does well this time.

124. 90'

     <b>FULL TIME</b> Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle

125. Arsenal become the first team in Premier League history to win four games in a row after falling behind.

126. Arguments continue in the tunnel. Coaches try to get between the two Dutchmen.

127. Arsenal move to just one point behind Tottenham Hotspur. Massive win for the Gunners.

128. No change for Newcastle. They remain in sixth place. But, Liverpool can make ground in midweek as they take on Everton.

129. That's it for now then. <b>Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle</b>. See you next time.

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