Arsenal manager Unai Emery has conceded that scoring the first goal in the second half was the turning point in his side's 2-1 win over Newcastle United at St. James' Park, while hailing Lucas Torreira for giving his men balance off the bench.
Newcastle allowed Arsenal to control possession of the ball during the first half, as the Gunners failed to dominate proceedings and struggled to create clear-cut chances. On the other hand, the home side looked more threatening on the counter and were making good use of the spaces Emery’s men were providing behind the defence.
The Magpies continued to raid down the wings whenever they got the opportunity to, but disappointed when it came to providing the final ball inside the penalty box.
Arsenal pressed on the gas in the second half and a breakthrough came when Granit Xhaka’s free-kick from a speculative distance glided past Martin Dubravka in the Newcastle goal to give the lead to the away side in the 49th minute.
And nine minutes later Mesut Ozil doubled Arsenal’s lead when a ball fell nicely for the German from a blocked shot from Alexandre Lacazette and he converted the chance inside the penalty box.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang almost scored the third for Arsenal a little while later when he was set up nicely by Lacazette, but his shot was dragged just wide of the post.
With Newcastle looking to get back into the game, Arsenal took control and continued to look threatening throughout the second half.
The home side got a goal back in injury time through Ciaran Clark, but it was too little too late and Arsenal sealed the points.
Emery admits that his side struggled to get hold of the game in the first half and getting the early goal after the break was the turning point as it gave his players the confidence to control proceedings.
The Arsenal manager said in a press conference after the game: “The first half we couldn’t control the match like we wanted.
"We need to impose our ideas, but we conceded a lot of chances for the counter-attack.
“The second half, the balance on the pitch was better. We didn’t concede the transition as easy.
“The key was the first goal, it gave us the confidence to improve on the match.”
Emery threw on Torreira in place of Matteo Guendouzi at the break and the Arsenal boss admits that the Uruguayan helped to bring more balance and control to his midfield in the second half.
“I want to give every player confidence. I am very happy with Matteo and with Lucas.
“Maybe the second half we needed a bit more balance, Lucas gave us this balance.”
