Newcastle United vs Arsenal

1. 94'

   The whistle has gone on a game short on quality but then high on anger in the Gervinho incident that followed Joey Barton being stamped on by Alex Song. That was the key moment in a game short on quality, and Arsenal already look short of the qualities they need to challenge. Newcastle were lacking, but Joey Barton blotted their copybook for getting involved. Gervinho was silly but can consider himself unfortunate.

2. 94'

   Van Persie tries from distance. It is wide and weak.

3. 93'

   Walcott runs off the end of the pitch in a style that is all his own. Arsenal bereft of ideas again.

4. 91'

   <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Djourou on for Ramsey as Wenger, amazingly tries to kill time. When ambitions are low.

5. 91'

   Newcastle with the added-time pressure.

6. 90'

   Barton's ball is poor.

7. 90'

   Colocinni on the overlap puts in a fine ball and Arsenal have to hack behind.

8. 90'

   Free-kick from Barton does not beat the first man.

9. 90'

   <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Vermaelen for a clear tug on Leon Best.

10. 90'

    Into added time, of which we have four minutes.

11. 89'

    Barton fails to get hold of a Leon Best knockdown as Newcastle threaten. Briefly.

12. 87'

    Walcott's touch let him down, Wenger rages on the bench. We will be seeing plenty of that.

13. 86'

    Meanwhile, we should be building to a crescendo but are not. 0-0 beckons, with a tawdry tale of gamesmanship as our lead item from this game.

14. 86'

    Walcott on the run as a rare break into football. He gets nowhere, the story of the day.

15. 83'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Frimpong, sporting the de rigeur mohawk, on for Rosicky, who has done quite well today.

16. 82'

    Barton and Song are now frotting each other in friendship. This is an odd game.

17. 82'

    Barton continues to rage, while Wenger looks aghast, a face we are all too familiar with.

18. 81'

    Heading contest results in Krul claiming the ball. Tiote goes down heavily after a tackle. And looks in some pain. Cramp is the suggestion.

19. 81'

    Barton smashes goalward. Just wide. Now that would have been a story.

20. 80'

    Barton to see out the 90, perhaps?

21. 79'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Lovenkrands to come on for Cabaye who has played well.

22. 79'

    Barton and Taylor are just as guilty as Gervinho, though if truth were told then at least we have a story to tell of a pallid game.

23. 77'

    Joey Barton: We await his tweets with interest, or do we?

24. 75'

    The upshot of that is that Barton got involved when Gervinho tried to win a penalty. Barton then feigned a punch as his partner in crime Steven Taylor also claimed an elbow. Poor show from both. Gervinho is a little unfortunate but nevertheless was silly.

25. 74'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> G Wojciech Szcz&#281;sny is booked.

Leaders

NEWARS

Total Shots

Ryan Taylor

3

Robin van Persie

3

Accurate Passes

Cheick Tioté

27

Tomas Rosicky

64

Saves

Tim Krul

1

Wojciech Szczesny

1