In what proved to be a fiery opening to the season, Newcastle took a point from an Arsenal side missing several key players. At times dull, both sides lacked ambition, but it was Joey Barton, who yet again stole the headlines for the wrong reasons after clashing with the Gunners' Ivorian winger, Gervinho.
The opening 45 minutes was all Arsenal, their trademark passing game leaving Newcastle looking sluggish and off the pace. When the play occasionally was in Arsenal's half, toon strikers Ba and Ameobi both struggled to keep hold of the ball, or to carve out anything resembling an attack on Szczesny's goal. The lack of ambition from the home side was somewhat worrying, and if the first half is anything to go by, goals may be somewhat hard to come by this season.
Half time saw new signing Gabriel Obertan, replace Ba, the former West Ham man looking well off the pace, and almost non-existent at times. The introduction of the former Claifontaine attendee brought some much needed pace to the United attack. Despite this, Newcastle still rarely penetrated the Arsenal back four, only having one shot on target. Obertan did however, show glimpses of real quality, something that was dramatically lacking in the first period.
Then came the two main talking points, both of which involved man of the moment, Joey Barton. Firstly he was involved in a fracas with Alex Song. After a firm, but fair tackle on the Cameroonian, Song chose to stamp on Barton's calf. The incensed Liverpudlian raced towards the touchline to remonstrate with the fourth official, but to no avail, as the officials failed to spot Song's malicious attack, who had clearly targeted Barton. A Joey Barton of previous years may have at this point lost his cool, but he appeared to collect himself and continue despite his unjust treatment.
After this, the game seemed to be coming to a somewhat uneventful conclusion, but when Gervinho dramtically went down in the box after a Chiek Tiote tackle. Barton took exception to the Ivorian's attempt to buy a penalty, hauling the former Lille man to his feet. A rash decision by Barton to get involved caused fisticuffs, and it was Gervinho who was given his marching orders after raising his hands to Barton. Many thought that Barton was to follow, but the former Manchester City player was only given a yellow card, referee Peter Walton seemingly adjudging that Gervinho's slap was a more serious misdemeanor than Barton's. Prior to his sending off, Arsenal's new signing had looked, in truth, the only real threat for Arsenal, who as usual were strong in possession until the final third.
Following the unsavoury and somewhat embarrassing coming together, the match fizzled out somewhat, with Newcastle lacking any desire to try and win the mach against the ten men of Arsenal, whilst the London club seemed content with taking a point away from what had been a bruising trip to the north east.
No doubt post match talk will centre on bad boy Barton's inability to control his temper, although it should be Alex Song who bears the brunt of any media criticism. His stamp was not only premeditated but unecessary, nd is something that should not be seen on a football pitch.
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