It would be almost an understatement to call it an ignominious off-season for Newcastle United. Yet despite the departure of the captain and of arguably the best performer over the last two seasons (Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique respectively) – as well as the well-publicised social media shenanigans of creative spark Joey Barton – there was a definite air of optimism at St James’ Park yesterday evening when the Magpies welcomed Arsenal as the 2011-12 Premier League curtain was raised.
The visitors had also had a difficult summer, exacerbated in the days leading up to Saturday’s match, with the apparently imminent departure of the highly-prized midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri from the Emirates Stadium. For Arsene Wenger, so often viewed as one of the most astute managers in England, the desperation to end the Gunners’ trophy drought has sees him under more pressure than ever before.
With Jack Wilshere also missing through injury, Toon fans sensed that a midfield – in which the transfer-listed Barton was included, news that was greeted with a rapturous Geordie cheer – that has been bolstered by the signing of Yohan Cabaye from Lille, alongside Cheik Tiote – hero of the last outing between the sides, an incredible 4-4 draw – could outmuscle and even outplay Arsenal’s.
The match did not turn out in the way that many expected, however. ESPN, who moved the kick-off for broadcasting purposes, will have been disappointed with the offering. Tiote and Cabaye were relatively quiet, and the Arsenal midfield, particularly new signing, and former Newcastle target, Gervinho, demonstrated that they are far from pushovers.
It was Gunners fans, too, who were making all the noise. Attempts by the upper echelons at St James’ Park to relocate the ‘singing section’ away from their previous position, adjacent to the away end, proved not to have been fully effective, but did have a noticeably calming effect on that area of the ground. As Arsenal fans outsang their hosts, so their team outplayed the Magpies, but failed to have any real clearcut chances. Home keeper Tim Krul was bailed out by Danny Simpson, who hacked off the line after the young Dutchman flapped at a Tomas Rosicky corner, but other than that, Arsenal would come unstuck thanks to the dominant presence of new Toon captain Fabricio Coloccini.
It was painfully apparent for home fans, though, that what threat Arsenal did pose came nearly always down the visitors’ right flank. Gervinho simply outclassed stand-in left back Ryan Taylor, who was always going to find it difficult to replace new Anfield star Enrique. Jonas Gutierrez, too, looked somewhat clueless without Enrique; the two used to form a productive partnership on Newcastle’s left wing, and the frustrating Gutierrez looked unsure how to adjust to Enrique’s absence.
The second half – and particularly the introduction of United’s newest acquisition, Gabriel Obertan, who replaced fellow summer signing, the subdued Demba Ba – was slightly more positive for the hosts, but again Arsenal looked like the only team likely to make an impression on the scoresheet. Skipper Robin van Persie clipped the top of the net with a free-kick, but in truth the deadlock never truly threatened to be broken.
Only the incident that has got the Twitterati tongues wagging furiously caused any real excitement over the course of the ninety minutes. With fifteen minutes left on the clock (though St James’ Park has no longer got any – the digital corner timepieces having been replaced by an extension in electronic advertising hoardings – Gervinho fell to the floor dramatically inside the Newcastle penalty area. Replays suggested he may have been tripped by Tiote, but Barton had no doubts that Arsenal’s Ivorian had dived.
Dragging him from the floor, Barton proceeded to hurl himself to the turf after Gervinho gave him a slap to the face. Referee Peter Walton – much to Wenger’s chagrin – booked the former but dismissed the latter. There can be no doubt about the red card, but Wenger argued that Barton should have also been sent off for violent conduct when he pulled Gervinho forcefully to remonstrate with him.
Opinion will no doubt stay divided over that issue, but there should be no doubt that Arsenal’s Alex Song was fortunate to stay on the field after a deliberate stamp on Barton earlier in the half. As an aside, that clash provided an amusing indication as to the concern amongst the Toon Army about the future of Barton. As he walked over to the fourth official to complain, many fans who had, like Mr Walton, missed the Song stamp, seemed worried that Barton had snapped – had he gone over to shout at Alan Pardew, the Newcastle boss, about something? Had he simply had enough, and stalked off back to the dressing room? A paranoia gripped the Leazes Corner; spectators rose as one, and there was a palpable, sharp, collective intake of breath which accompanied it; this was followed by an audible sigh of relief as the fans took their seats once Barton re-emerged from the dugout.
The final whistle was greeted by dismay from the away fans. A chorus of boos rained down, aimed particularly at Wenger, who had had to endure numerous rounds of “spend some f****** money” as Gunners fans, frustrated by their team’s failure to convert possession into pressure, or pressure into chances, made clear their dissatisfaction with their manager’s transfer policy. By contrast, there was a general round of applause from the home fans, most of whom would certainly have been happy with a goalless draw before kick-off.
But as a spectacle, this game contrasted perfectly with that eight-goal thriller last season. Fans were delayed leaving the environs of the ground due to a burst drain, which was spewing its putrid contents into Gallowgate. Its contents, many fans pointed out, provided something of an apt metaphor for the ninety minutes of football they had just witnessed.
• At half time, Mark Allison, also known as Run Geordie Run, was introduced to the crowd after having run 3,100 miles – from California to New York – in 100 days in the name of The Children’s Foundation and St Benedict's Hospice. He has raised £81,000 and counting.
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