English Premier League: Arsenal refuse to score so Coloccini does it for them

Newcastle captain’s own goal only goal of the match after Mitrovic sees red.

LONDON/ SWANSEA:

Arsenal clinched their second Premier League win of the season as Fabricio Coloccini’s own goal gifted the Gunners a scrappy 1-0 success against 10-man Newcastle on Saturday.

After Monday’s goalless draw with Liverpool left them with one victory from their opening three matches, Arsene Wenger’s spluttering side were already in danger of being cast adrift in the title race.

Although they were below their best again, Arsenal got back on track at St James’ Park with the help of hot-headed Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic’s latest indiscretion.

Referee Andre Marriner had infuriated Wenger when Arsenal were denied an early penalty after right-back Hector Bellerin appeared to have his heel trodden on by Florian Thauvin as he burst into the Newcastle area.

But Marriner was back in Wenger’s good books in the 16th minute when he sent off Mitrovic after the Serbia international needlessly stamped on Francis Coquelin’s ankle as he stretched in a failed attempt to reach a loose ball.

Wenger’s team eventually took advantage of their numerical superiority in the 52nd minute when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s low drive beat goalkeeper Tim Krul via a deflection off Coloccini as the Newcastle defender tried to block.

“Newcastle toughened the game up, they decided from the start to make it very physical but we kept our nerve,” said Wenger. “We were mature and intelligent. The win was important so maybe we were a bit cautious.”

Newcastle are without a win in their first four league matches under new boss Steve McClaren. “It was a harsh red card. It was more clumsy and he stood on his foot,” said the former England manager.

The Gunners’ away win also continued an unusual trend that has seen only six home wins from 31 Premier League matches so far this season.

Swansea yardstick awaits United

Louis van Gaal will be take his place on the bench as Manchester United manager for the 50th time on Sunday and his team’s performance at Swansea will provide the perfect opportunity to show how far they have progressed in his reign.

Van Gaal’s first competitive game in charge of United was a 2-1 home defeat to the Welsh club at the start of last season.

Swansea then won the reverse fixture by the same scoreline in February to record their first double over United on the way to their highest Premier League finish of eighth place.

Van Gaal believes his side is better equipped to face Swansea this weekend than they were last August. “The first match I played was against Swansea. We lost and now I have to play the 50th match,” said the Dutchman. “I hope we can show how we have improved because that is the main thing. It shall be very difficult to beat them but we are better prepared than last year.”

Both United and Swansea are unbeaten so far this season.

And Swansea manager Garry Monk wants his players, who have already held champions Chelsea to a point this term, to draw inspiration from last season’s efforts against United to spring another surprise.

“It’s always very difficult when you face the big clubs,” said Monk. “They [United] have added a lot of quality and depth to their squad and have world-class players. We are the underdogs, but we’re at home and we want to put on a performance in front of our own fans. There is plenty of motivation for the players after our two wins last season and we’ll use that going into this game.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2015.

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