Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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HIGHLIGHTS AND REACTION: Stay close to Arsenal Player for the best of the action and all the post-match interviews
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REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Adrian Clarke will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Full Time ALL OVER: Arsenal open their Premier League season with a 0-0 draw at Newcastle
90
HALF A CHANCE FOR VAN PERSIE: But he screws horribly wide. Was that the last chance?
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Disappointing game for Van Persie. He didn't get a lot of service, but not his best game
90
WALCOTT CAN’T CAPITALISE: And Newcastle have a goal-kick
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DJOUROU INVOLVED STRAIGHT AWAY: And he sets Arsenal on the counter.
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Substitution DJOUROU ON: For Ramsey as Arsenal look to see out injury time
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VITAL HEADER FORM KOSCIELNY: Best crosses into a very dangerous position and Koscielny has to jump above Lovenkrans ahead head away
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WHICH IS WASTED: And we’re into injury time. Four minutes given
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Yellow Card VERMAELEN BOOKED: He goes into the book and presents Newcastle with a crossing opportunity
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BARTON SCUFFS WIDE: Lovenkrans makes a nuisance of himself but Barton can’t hit the target from the area
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THREE MINUTES LEFT: Wenger would probably take a draw now. But, since going down to ten men, Arsenal have arguably seen more of the ball. Newcastle don’t look like creating much.
85
FRIMPONG DOES WELL: That’s exactly what he is there to do - disrupt play in midfield and win possession.
84
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Frimpong on for Rosicky
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Rosicky has played well, but Arsenal need that extra spark. Frimpong is tackler, a battler and a combative player
81
TIOTE DOWN IN A HEAP: and Frimpong has just been summoned by Pat Rice. It looks like the combative midfielder will be coming on.
80
BARTON FIZZES AN EFFORT OVER: The Newcastle man can’t hit the target from range
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What did you make of all that? And get your comments to us on Twitter #Arsenallive
Top Comments:
Gilbert Smyth on Twitter says:
Barton should try theatre...
Tonny, 2G on Twitter says:
The simple rule in sports is that you don't retaliate, chances are you get punished harder:(
77
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Adrian Clarke will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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Substitution NEWCASTLE CHANGE: Lovenkrans on for Cabaye
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INCREDIBLE SCENES: Replays shows that Gervinho WAS clipped inside the area. Barton instigated what followed and Gervinho was sent off. Arsenal down to ten men for the final 15 minutes
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Yellow Card Szczesny also goes into the book, I assume for complaining to the referee.
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Yellow Card Barton is booked. Wenger is not happy and rightly so.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Joey Barton is an absolute disgrace to the game. He's been desperate to get an Arsenal player sent off for it the entire game.
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Look at what Joey Barton does an how quickly he's gone down. To coin an English phrase, it is a sack of spuds. And it's a delayed reaction!
72
Red Card CHAOS: Gervinho goes down inside the area, Arsenal claim penalty but nothing doing. Then Barton comes flying in accusing Gervinho of diving. What proceeds is a mass coming together of players from both sides. Barton goes down - Gervinho is senft off! What for, I’m not entirely sure?
Top Comments:
Hans de Jong on Twitter says:
Ref's decision is an absolute disgrace.
71
BRILLIANT FROM KOSCIELNY AGAIN: This time to win the ball from best
70
Substitution NEWCASTLE CHANGE: Best comes on for Ameobi
69
VERMAELEN AND KOSCIELNY: Have looked very assured and confident together this evening.
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SUPERB INTERCEPTION FROM KOSCIELNY: And it needed to be, let me tell you. Newcastle break and have numbers bearing down on the area. Obertan does well to feed Taylor and, as he looks to find Ameobi, Koscielny steps up and wins the ball. Excellent.
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Koscielny has not put a foot wrong so far.
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And get your comments to us on Twitter #Arsenallive
65
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Adrian Clarke will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
64
Yellow Card OBERTAN DOES WELL: He muscles Sagna off the ball and sets Newcastle on the attack. Koscielny does well to clear the danger and, as Arsenal look to break, Ramsey is caught by Tiote
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal have been on top the whole game, they have dominated play and they have dominated possession. So it beenfits Newcastle to heat things up
63
WALCOTT FORCES KRUL INTO ACTION: Arsenal work the ball patiently until Van Persie injects pace into the move by feeding Walcott on the left. The substitute cuts back onto is right foot and tests the Newcastle keeper low to his left
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WALCOTT RUNNING IN-BEHIND: You can tell his pace scares the Newcastle defence. Already he is looking like a threat
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VAN PERSIE CAN’T QUITE REACH IT: Song slips a defence-splitting pass through the middle and Robin is inches away from getting on the end of it. Very unlucky.
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Substitution THEO COMING ON: The former Southampton man replaces Arshavin on the right.
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NO CHANCES OF NOTE: The second half hasn’t, as yet, lived up to the lively first period.
Top Comments:
Denise Watt on Twitter says:
Backline looks secured with Vermaelen, we need a miracle in midfield, great opportunities forward, but who's taking the chances?
58
SONG AND BARTON COME TOGETHER: And the Arsenal man comes out on top of that 50/50. Good strength from the Cameroon midfielder
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Adrian Clarke will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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ONTO THE ROOF OF THE NET: Inches, and I mean inches, over from Robin.
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SAGNA DOWN IN A HEAP: Bacary beats Taylor with ease and wins a free-kick right on the edge of the area. Van Persie is lining this one up…
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FRUSTRATION: The home fans are getting a little impatient with their side’s inability to keep possession. Arsenal are doing well at frustrating their opponents and giving them no time on the ball
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EVEN-STEVENS: So far since the break. No clear-cut chances for either side though
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Yellow Card BOOKING: Rosicky gets a yellow card
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ROSICKY SUMMONED BY THE REFEREE: And shown a yellow card for chopping down Gutierrez as the Newcastle man looked to break
50
WALCOTT, FRIMPONG AND DJOUROU WARMING UP: Theo is sprinting up and down away to my left. Is he set for an introduction soon, I wonder?
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Walcott has a terrific goal scoring record against Newcastle recently. Sometimes when the Newcastle fans get on them they play a bit above their pay grade and push forward leaving too much space for players like Walcott
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ARSHAVIN ATTACKS THE PENALTY AREA: Good work from Ramsey and Gervinho sets the Russian on his way but, this time, he can’t find Van Persie in the area
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Yellow Card GIBBS IN THE BOOK: The left-back catches Barton late and is shown a yellow card
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FAST START FROM NEWCASTLE: Cabaye bursts into the area but Vermaelen is there to make another timely challenge. He has been outstanding today
Kick Off PEEP: Arsenal get us going in this second half. As you were for Wenger’s side
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Substitution AS I SAY THAT: Obertan is introduced for Ba! He is making his Newcastle debut.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Newcastle's change means they will be shifting formation to more of a 4-5-1
45
ARSENAL PLAYERS ARE BACK OUT: Closely followed by the Newcastle team. It doesn’t look like any changes for either side, though I will confirm that shortly.
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FABIANSKI: Shows off some neat skills with the ball at his FEET. Very nice Lukasz.
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ARSENAL PLAYERS WARMING UP AT THE BREAK: All seven substitutes are out there. Who do you think Wenger should introduce, if anyone, in this second period? Get your comments to us on Twitter #Arsenallive
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DON'T GO ANYWHERE: Our commentary team have handed back to the studio where Tim and Adrian will discuss all the talking points from the first half. Enter our competition to win a special prize too.
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THERE GOES THE HALF-TIME WHISTLE: All-square at the break though Arsenal have been very much on top so far. All set-up for an intriguing second 45 minutes.
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INTO INJURY TIME: And there will be two minutes of them
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Yellow Card GERVINHO HACKED DOWN: As Arsenal looked to break and Coloccini gets a yellow card
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What have you made of the first period? Get your comments to us on Twitter #Arsenallive
42
VAN PERSIE WANTS A PENALTY: Arshavin seeks out the captain with a delightful chipped through ball and, for a moment, Van Persie looks to be clean through. But, again, he can’t get the ball under control and Coloccini scampers back to clear. Robin claims hand ball but that would have been harsh
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ARSENAL COMING FORWARD YET AGAIN: Gibbs beats Simpson on the right, his cross is knocked back by Arshavin but Newcastle clear with Van Persie waiting to pull the trigger.
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VERMAELEN HAS TO BE STRONG: And he is, to disposes Ba inside the area
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AND AGAIN: It’s one-way traffic at the moment. Sagna delivers a ball into the area that Krul claims. It’s all Arsenal here
Top Comments:
James Gibbons on Twitter says:
Despite our domination, Arsenal are really struggling to create chances today. We need a playmaker with an eye for a pass.
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ARSENAL COME FORWARD AGAIN: This Rosicky does well but, with Gervinho well placed, can’t pick out his team-mate.
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ROBIN CAN’T GET THE BALL UNDER CONTROL: Well placed inside the area, Van Persie seems to stumble and can’t get a shot away
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Adrian Clarke will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
34
ARSHAVIN AND GERVINHO: Have switched flanks so the Ivorian is now on the left and the Russian is on the right.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Gervinho has all the makings of being a better player than Samir Nasri was
33
WELL UP VERMAELEN: Under pressure from Ameobi, the centre-back wins the aerial battle with a strong, powerful header
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WELL HEADED AWAY FROM VAN PERSIE: From Newcastle’s first corner, the Dutchman heads away at the near post.
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TIOTE SLICES BEHIND: Van Persie swings a free-kick into the danger zone and the Newcastle man has to clear, though he didn’t know much about that! The corner is headed away
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OFF THE LINE: Rosicky floats a ball towards the six-yard box and Koscielny beats Krul to the ball only for Simpson to hack clear from underneath the crossbar. Very unlucky.
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ARSENAL CORNER: Van Persie slips the ball to Gibbs in an attacking position and Barton deflects the ball behind.
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Yellow Card SONG GOES INTO THE BOOK: He loses the ball in midfielder and, trying to make up for the mistake, brings down Ba as Newcastle break. No complaints there
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ARSAHVIN BREAKS: And Arsenal have a 2v1 situation with Arshavin and Gervinho bearing down on Coloccini. Arshavin tries to feed his team-mate but the ball gets intercepted. Unlucky
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NEWCASTLE COMING INTO IT MORE: The home side are starting to see more of the ball in midfield but Szczesny is yet to be really tested
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GERVINHO GLIDES PAST TAYLOR: The Ivorian has looked good so far on his Premier League debut. This time, he spins Ryan Taylor before bursting into the area before getting dispossessed
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Gervinho very direct and at the heart of things. He's a goalscorer, but a goal maker as well
21
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Adrian Clarke will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
20
SZCZESNY PUNCHES WELL: Barton floats a free-kick into the area and the goalkeeper comes a long way to confidently punch clear.
Top Comments:
Sean Tafirenyika on Twitter says:
Szczesny showing more confidence this season, we definitely have a safe pair of hands
19
GERVINHO RACES INTO THE AREA: More patient build-up from Arsenal and Rosicky slips in Gervinho, who spins his marker but can’t quite find Van Persie with his cross
Top Comments:
Tal DeBauche on Twitter says:
More creativity from Arsenal here in the first 10 minutes than the last 10 games of last season...
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Get your comments to us on Twitter #Arsenallive
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INCHES WIDE FROM VAN PERSIE: Krul was scrambling there. Newcastle fail to clear their lines and the ball ricochets off two defenders before falling at the right foot of Van Persie. On the turn, eight yards out, his effort is deflected wide.
Top Comments:
Kenneth Fleming on Twitter says:
The link up play of RVP so underrated. Get the ball to him and it sticks before swiftly moving. Great first touch.
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SAFE HANDS FROM SZCZESNY: Barton plays a wonderful ball behind Gibbs to free Simpson on the right. The full-back’s cross diverts off Gibbs and Szczesny has to claim low to his left. That was awkward.
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WENGER: The boss is patrolling his technical area at the moment. He can sense his side are on top
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ARSENAL ON TOP: They have enjoyed the better of things so far. The Gunners have kept the ball well in midfielder, looked comfortable at the back and threatened going forward. Szczesny has been a spectator
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VAN PERSIE CAN’T GET IT UNDER CONTROL: There’s no time to catch breath at the moment! Ramsey feeds Robin inside the area, Newcastle clear and then the home defence is forced to hack away moments later.
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
I think Aaron Ramsey is going to be the lubrication in the Arsenal midfield engine
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KOSCIELNY SEEKS OUT VAN PERSIE: With a ball over the top but Taylor heads back to Krul with relative ease. A decent early knock from the defender, mind.
Top Comments:
Jo Henrique on Twitter says:
Koscielny is gonna be one of the best defenders of this season & will make the EPL XI
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And get your comments to us on Twitter #Arsenallive
10
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Adrian Clarke will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
9
WONDERFUL TACKLE FROM VERMAELEN: Showing just what Arsenal missed last season. Ameobi tries to beat the Belgian on the edge of the area but Thomas takes man and ball with a superbly-timed challenge.
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CROSS INTO THE BOX: I think that was Gervinho who whipped a ball towards Van Persie - but the Dutchman can’t get on the end of it.
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SAGNA OK: He’s back up and in the action. Gibbs, at left-back, has made a very solid start. Nothing has looked like getting past him so far.
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CRACKING OPENING: This one has started at a frenetic pace. Newcastle lump a ball into the box and Sagna gets a whack. Both sets of fans are making so much noise!
5
RAMSEY THUNDERS AT GOAL: More good play in midfield presents a shooting opportunity for the Wales midfielder - his stinging drive is blocked.
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REALLY BRIGHT START FROM ARSENAL: Wenger’s men have started really well here. Confident in possession and a threat when in the Newcastle half.
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal is showing real desire here at St. James' Park
3
TACTICS: Gervinho starts on the right, Arshavin on the left with Rosicky through the middle. Ramsey will fill the void left by Wilshere alongside Song.
2
GREAT CHANCE FOR ROSICKY: After barely a minute! Great play from Gibbs and Arshavin down the left frees Gervinho inside the area. He stumbls but manages to find Rosicky who curls wide from just outside the area.
Kick Off WE’RE OFF: Arsenal's 2011/12 season is underway! The Gunners will be kicking from right to left in this first half.
LAST-MINUTE HIGH FIVES AND HIGS: From the Arsenal team. All the waiting is over… the new season starts now!
VAN PERSIE SKIPPERS THE SIDE: As expected, Robin wears the armband.
The players are making their way out onto the pitch and the stadium is a cauldron of noise. The atmosphere at St. James’ Park is ELECTRIC.
Both sets of players have just made their way down the tunnel, the teams are being read out and the new season is now only minutes away. Excited yet?
The travelling Arsenal fans are making themselves heard away to my left. As ever at St. James, they are up in the gods!
Top Comments:
Jim Basio on Twitter says:
Don't remember being this nervous ever for the season to start...
For our opponents today, Joey Barton starts and Ba makes his Newcastle debut. Barton, of course, has been subject of much scrutiny regarding his future at the North-East club.
The starting XI are playing a possession game in a small box on the far-side, under the watchful eye of Pat Rice.
Szczesny is being warmed up Fabianski. The latter is sending crosses into the box for the former to deal with. I fancy there will be a few of these to deal with this afternoon.
Jenkinson, Frimpong and Oxlade-Chamberlain are playing a game of ‘keepy uppy’ while Djourou, Walcott and Chamakh do the same next to them.
By the way, I’m Giuseppe Muro and I’ll be bringing you live updates from St. James’ Park. I’ve just made my way up to my seat in the press box and the Arsenal players are warming up to my left.
Wojciech Szczesny starts in goal. Jack Wilshere misses out through injury
So, summer signing Gervinho will make his full debut while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starts on the bench. There are also places among the substitutes for Emmanuel Frimpong and Carl Jenkinson.
The subs today are: Fabianski, Chamakh, Djourou, Frimpong, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
The Arsenal team is in, and here it is: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Rosicky, Ramsey, Arshavin, Gervinho, Van Persie
Top Comments:
ddebaygunners on Twitter says:
Great squad I think,considering our current situation...let's nail 'em down...go go gunners
We will bring you the Arsenal team news as soon as we have it…
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Adrian Clarke will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Tim Peters and former Gunner Adrian Clarke are in the studio for today's match while Arsenal.com editor Richard Clarke joins Dan Roebuck in the commentary box.
Our coverage starts at 5.15pm (UK time) and kick off is 15 minutes later. Open up your laptop and visit player.arsenal.com to hear live audio commentary. If you're following the game on your iPhone or iPad you can listen and read our text updates too.
Arsenal kick-off their Premier League campaign with a trip to the North-East to face Newcastle at St. James' Park this evening and we will be bringing you unashamedly Arsenal-centric commentary
The wait is over. The new season starts HERE.
Newcastle United
01 KRUL, Tim
27 TAYLOR, Steven
02 COLOCCINI, Fabricio
16 TAYLOR, Ryan
05 SIMPSON, Danny
06 BARTON, Joey
04 CABAYE, Yohan
11 LOVENKRANDS, Peter (76)
24 TIOTE, Cheick
18 GUTIERREZ, Jonas
23 AMEOBI, Shola
09 BEST, Leon (70)
29 BA, Demba
25 OBERTAN, Gabriel (46)
01 FORSTER, FRASER
06 WILLIAMSON, MIKE
15 GOSLING, DAN
25 OBERTAN, GABRIEL
28 AMEOBI, SAMMY
11 LOVENKRANDS, PETER
09 BEST, LEON
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
28 GIBBS, Kieran
25 SONG, Alex
07 ROSICKY, Tomas
26 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel (84)
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
20 DJOUROU, Johan (90)
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey
14 WALCOTT, Theo (60)
27 GERVINHO
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
20 DJOUROU, JOHAN
26 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
14 WALCOTT, THEO
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, ALEX
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
25 JENKINSON, CARL
Top Comments:
Anthony Williams on Twitter says:
Bad officiating, but overall good game from the Gunners