Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck 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 IT'S ALL OVER! Arsenal SEVEN Newcastle 3 - amazing scenes at the Emirates. A hat-trick for Walcott, two for Giroud and one each for the Ox and Poldi
90
WE'RE WELL INTO STOPPAGE TIME: Only seconds away for Arsenal now. This has been so entertaining
90
THAT'S HIS HAT-TRICK! And it's another wonderful strike. He beat two men, got clattered, got up and chipped Krul. An audacious finish on an incredible night!
90
GOAL! - Theo Walcott 7 : 3 WHAT A GOAL FROM WALCOTT!
90
Yellow Card SANTON GOES IN THE BOOK: That's a really poor tackle from behind on Giroud - it could have been red
88
Substitution NEWCASTLE CHANGE: Tavernier replaces Marveaux
88
SURELY THE POINTS ARE SAFE NOW! Walcott slaloms through the Newcastle defence and finds Giroud, and the Frenchman beats his man and fires unerringly past Krul. What a way to end the year!
88
GOAL! - Olivier Giroud 6 : 3 IT'S SIX! GIROUD AGAIN!
86
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: This time it's Santi Cazorla coming off, he's replaced by Coquelin
86
WHAT A CROSS FROM WALCOTT: Wonderful ball in from the right from Theo and Giroud's diving header beats Krul. Arsenal have their two-goal cushion!
86
GOAL! - Olivier Giroud 5 : 3 MAGNIFICENT GOAL FROM GIROUD!
84
WALCOTT! Oh, that's so close to a hat-trick. He slots one past the far post via a deflection
82
Substitution NEWCASTLE CHANGE: Ferguson replaces Simpson
82
Substitution RAMSEY COMES ON: Off goes Podolski, he's had a fine game
82
Substitution AMEOBI IS ON: He replaces Bigirimana
80
KRUL GETS STRANDED: He comes for the ball, misses it, but Arsenal can't get it to Giroud as he charges into the box. Ramsey is coming on in a moment
Top Comments:
‏@iNakksh on Twitter says:
And it’s Arrrrrseeeenal! Arsenal F.C.! We’re by FAR the greatest team the world has ever seen! #AFCvNUFC
79
HANDBALL! The home crowd are up in unison as Cisse goes up against Koscielny inside the box. The ref gives the free-kick Arsenal's way
78
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck 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).
76
OBERTAN AGAINST SAGNA: That's been a good battle and this time Sagna gets his challenge in, at the expense of a corner
Top Comments:
@Sturty_man1 on Twitter says:
Don't think we have seen the last of the goals here today #AFCvNUFC
75
BIGIRIMANA SHOOTS: Good effort on the volley but that's straight at Szczesny and Arsenal stay in front
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"I'd like to see Arsenal shut this game out and show they can do it"
74
Substitution GIROUD REPLACES THE OX: Good ovation for the Ox, he's played well today - and scored a fine goal. Giroud has gone central, Walcott goes to the right
73
AMAZING! Gibbs gets to the byline and crosses, the ball bounces to Walcott and he keeps his cool to dig it out and lift a shot into the top corner
Top Comments:
@plunkman on Twitter says:
Great job by Gibbs, redeems himself a bit, and excellent patience shown by Theo #AFCvNUFC
73
GOAL! - Theo Walcott 4 : 3 YEEESSSS! IT'S THEO AGAIN!!
71
GIROUD IS GETTING READY: He'll be the first Arsenal change. Who do you reckon is coming off?
69
IT'S BA AGAIN: He timed his run perfectly to meet Marveaux's cross at the far post but Arsenal could have done better to close down that cross. So disappointing
69
GOAL! - Demba Ba 3 : 3 OH NO, NEWCASTLE ARE LEVEL AGAIN!
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"I don't think either full back has been on their game today, defensively. They perhaps haven't had the protection they would have liked"
67
#AFCvNUFC: That's our dedicated hashtag if you're joining the debate on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your comments right here
66
KOSCIELNY WITH THE HEADER: He gets there first from Wilshere's corner but can't direct his header goalwards
64
WHAT A GAME! And Arsenal keep finding another gear! This time Wilshere clips in a teasing cross and a deflection off the crossbar allows Podolski to head home from a yard out
Top Comments:
@Shashi_U on Twitter says:
Walcott working much harder today as CF than at Wigan. Popping up in space to see more of the ball #AFCvNUFC
64
GOAL! - Lukas Podolski 3 : 2 PODOLSKI BUNDLES IT IN AND ARSENAL ARE BACK IN FRONT!
63
KRUL DOES WELL: Gibbs wins possession with a sliding challenge and Podolski exchanges passes with Cazorla, but Krul is out to bravely save at the German's feet
61
CAZORLA! Excellent effort from Santi but Krul is equal to it, thrusting out an arm to deflect the ball wide. Good response from Arsenal
59
ANOTHER VITAL DEFLECTION: Obertan does well to beat Sagna and his low ball across the six-yard box clips off Koscielny and rolls perfectly for Marveaux. He really couldn't miss that and we're all square again
59
GOAL! - Sylvain Marveaux 2 : 2 MARVEAUX WITH THE EQUALISER!
57
WALCOTT CHANCE: It's three versus three and Theo opts to go it alone but his early-taken shot is well wide. Podolski is angry, he wanted a square pass
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"I think Walcott did the right thing by going at the heart of the Newcastle defence, he just needed to take it further and get closer to goal before shooting"
56
POLDI DOWN: Lukas grabs his foot on the touchline, he looks in some pain. But he's back up quickly - that's a relief
54
GET IN TOUCH: E-mail our commentary team via www.arsenal.com/studio
53
ATMOSPHERE: We've got another 60,000-plus at the Emirates and they are finding their voices now
51
ARSENAL BACK IN FRONT: Cazorla picked out the Ox on the edge of the box and he found room to fire a low shot into the bottom corner. That's more like it!
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"I think Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can play anywhere in a forward position. He could even be a centre forward one day"
51
GOAL! - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 2 : 1 FANTASTIC STRIKE FROM THE OX!
Top Comments:
@therealbilly0 on Twitter says:
Feed #TheOx and he will score!!!!! #AFCvNUFC #ArsenaI
50
WARMING UP: Giroud is among the subs goes through some stretching exercises on the touchline
49
NEWCASTLE THREAT: Good build-up play and a teasing cross from the left... but Szczesny can claim that in his six-yard box
47
GREAT MOVE: Sagna to Wilshere, to Podolski, to Gibbs, making a fine overlap. He goes for goal and Krul beats the ball away
46
IN COMES THE CROSS... and up goes the Ox, but Krul gets there first and punches clear
Kick Off OFF WE GO AGAIN: Arsenal get us back underway, attacking the North Bank goal in the second half
Half Time THAT'S ALL FOR NOW: It's 1-1 here at the Emirates, Walcott's excellent finish giving Arsenal a lead they deserved before Ba's deflected free-kick levelled matters
Top Comments:
@BrettBaxendale on Twitter says:
Tiredness should kick in soon for Newcastle, we can beat then on pace in the second half #AFCvNUFC #COYG!!
@BrettBaxendale on Twitter says:
Tiredness should kick in soon for Newcastle, we can beat then on pace in the second half #AFCvNUFC #COYG!!
45
BA AGAIN... Another good leap, another good header and that's just over the bar. He's a real threat
45
GREAT SAVE SZCZESNY: Newcastle break, Marveaux cuts inside and shoots but the keeper pushes it away. Nervy moments for the Arsenal
45
THE OX DOES WELL: He's worked hard in this first half and shows pace and strength to almost get the better of Santon
44
IT CAME OFF JACK: Ba struck the free-kick well but it took a decisive touch off Wilshere, who was stationed a few yards from the wall
44
GOAL! - Demba Ba 1 : 1 AND IT'S DEFLECTED PAST SZCZESNY!
43
SAGNA PENALISED: He brings down Obertan and Ba is behind this free-kick. It's 22 yards out, left of centre...
41
OH, THEO! Arsenal break at pace but Walcott tries to find Cazorla but he underhits his pass. A big opportunity goes begging
40
TIOTE TRIES HIS LUCK: And that's a powerful effort which Szczesny is forced to punch clear - it swerved late, good decision from the keeper
39
KOSCIELNY CLEARS: Danny Simpson, like Santon is getting in his fair share of crosses towards Ba and Cisse. This time Koscielny climbs well to get the ball away
37
WALCOTT GOES THROUGH: And this time he can't get enough purchase on his shot, allowing Krul to grab the ball
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"That was fabulous link-up play and really intelligent too. Podolski and Walcott outfoxed the Newcastle defence there"
35
NEWCASTLE PRESSURE: Another good passing move ends with Santon crossing low but Arsenal get it away
33
#AFCvNUFC: That's our dedicated hashtag if you're joining the debate on Twitter. We'll publish a selection of your comments right here
Top Comments:
@stanleyviti on Twitter says:
Walcott pace is so explosive #AFCvNUFC Get in there son!!!
31
FINAL BALL: That's the only thing lacking from Arsenal's attacking play at the moment. On this occasion Cazorla finds the Ox but his cross isn't good enough
29
NEWCASTLE LIVELY: They've come into the game a lot more and that's a corner to the visitors... but Szczesny claims confidently
Top Comments:
@YoungerHamiiF1F on Twitter says:
Vermaelen and Koscielny have been dealing with Newcastle's crosses relatively well so far. #AFC #AFCvNUFC
28
WILSHERE TAKES IT... and Krul drops the ball. He grabs it though as Walcott tries to net the rebound
27
CORNER TO ARSENAL: There's so much pace in this Arsenal attack and another lightning break earns them a corner. It's headed away by Perch and that's another corner
25
SZCZESNY GATHERS: Newcastle counter-attack, Tiote finds Marveaux and he tries to play in Cisse, but the Arsenal keeper is out quickly
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"It's good for the game that Arsenal have scored because Newcastle can't sit back for the entire game. They'll have to come out and play now and that could suit Arsenal"
24
FATIGUE FACTOR? Injury-hit Newcastle had an energy-sapping game at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Will they tire towards the end of this one?
22
OFFSIDE! Theo tries to spring clear again but this time the flag goes up. Looking at the replays of the goal, he might just have been a shade offside then too
20
HENRY-ESQUE? That was trademark Thierry, a great run down the left to beat the offside trap and a cool, composed finish into the bottom corner. Magnificent stuff
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"I admire the run and the finish by Walcott"
20
GOAL! - Theo Walcott 1 : 0 GREAT FINISH FROM THEO! ARSENAL HAVE THE LEAD!
Top Comments:
@TMooresy on Twitter says:
Theo scored that just as the king did! #Henry #AFCvNUFC
18
WELL PLAYED OX: He gets away from a rather illegal challenge from Santon and sprints down the right. Here comes the cross... but that is cleared
16
BA WITH THE HEADER! And that's a very decent chance. The Newcastle top scorer leapt higher than anyone from that corner and plants a header just over the bar
15
HALF-A-CHANCE: The ball almost falls to the Ox in the area but it's hacked clear just in time
13
TOO HEAVY: Podolski tries to release Walcott in the left channel but his pass has too much weight on it
11
GET IN TOUCH: E-mail our commentary team via www.arsenal.com/studio
10
LOVELY SKILL: It's Santi, of course... quick feet to take himself away from a challenge and then a simple pass. The Spaniard looks in good nick
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"It's interesting to see the way Newcastle are defending. They are very deep and almost inviting Arsenal to attack. It's down to the Gunners to move things quickly and make things happen"
9
SANTON MISTAKE: And Walcott almost nips in there, but his touch is just too heavy and Krul can gather
8
WALCOTT CLATTERED: Centre forwards get less space in home games against defensive opponents and Theo is finding that. He should have had a free-kick there though, poor challenge on the halfway line
Top Comments:
@sajmaj02 on Twitter says:
We are moving the ball around well #AFCvNUFC
6
OUT COMES SZCZESNY: He races out of his box to hack clear as Ba tries to get Cisse away with a flick-on. Arsenal are playing at a high tempo in these early stages - promising signs
4
ARSENAL PRESSURE: Sagna swings in a cross, Coloccini chests it down and clears. Now Santi has it on the right, he beats him man... but Krul plucks the cross out of the air
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
"It's beautiful football in the build-up by Arsenal. We've seen some really nice creative football from Arsenal in the opening exchanges"
3
POLDI DEFENDS: Lukas tracks back to block a cross and Newcastle get the throw. In comes the cross... and Sagna kicks it away
1
GOOD START ARSENAL: Wilshere leads a breakaway and finds the Ox. He shimmies past his man and shoots low, but it's a few yards wide. Good, positive play
Top Comments:
@Ozzy_arsenal on Twitter says:
This is going to be a tough game the way Newcastle played against United, hopefully we'll get an entertaining game today. #AFCvNUFC
Kick Off WE'RE UNDERWAY: Newcastle get us started at the Emirates. Come on Arsenal!
We've had the handshakes, the players' names have been announced, the home team salute the Emirates crowd and we're just about ready for the off
I've got Fans' Forum host Tom Watt beside me for this one. Let's hope he brings us luck. Here come the teams...
Both sets of players have finished limbering up on the pitch and they return down the tunnel to make their final preparations
WELCOME BACK FRANK: Double-winning captain McLintock is pitchside for a pre-match interview. A true Arsenal leader
Our Matchday Show is now well underway - login now for all the build-up to today's game with Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke
Top Comments:
@Harissim0o on Twitter says:
Buzzin to watch @Arsenal play today #biggame #gunners #AFCvNUFC
HAVE YOUR SAY: Tell us which team YOU would have picked - use the hashtag #AFCvNUFC on Twitter
WALCOTT UP FRONT: Theo keeps his place as centre forward so Giroud starts on the bench. It'll be interesting to see how Theo fares at home where Arsenal generally get less space
Top Comments:
@Bryyyy93 on Twitter says:
Hope the Gunners pull out all the stops to impress me at the Emirates today! #AFCvNUFC
NO PER: Mertesacker is ill so won't feature today. In comes Laurent Koscielny and that's the only change from the side that won at Wigan
SUBS: Rosicky, Giroud, Mannone, Djourou, Gervinho, Coquelin, Ramsey
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
Top Comments:
@tttitch on Twitter says:
Off to the Emirates #AFCvNUFC
The team news is in. Here goes...
#AFCvNUFC: That's the hashtag to use if you're joining the conversation on Twitter. We'll publish some of your comments right here
The show gets underway at 5pm (UK time) with former Gunner Adrian Clarke alongside host Dan Roebuck. You can contact them via www.arsenal.com/studio
Welcome to Arsenal Player for live coverage of our final game of 2012. Newcastle are in town and you can follow all the action in our Matchday Show
Top Comments:
@jswarlos on Twitter says:
#afcvnufc can't wait till kick-off
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
28 GIBBS, Kieran
08 ARTETA, Mikel
10 WILSHERE, Jack
19 CAZORLA, Santi
22 COQUELIN, Francis (86)
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, Alex
12 GIROUD, Olivier (74)
09 PODOLSKI, Lukas
16 RAMSEY, Aaron (82)
14 WALCOTT, Theo
24 MANNONE, VITO
20 DJOUROU, JOHAN
22 COQUELIN, FRANCIS
16 RAMSEY, AARON
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
27 GERVINHO,
12 GIROUD, OLIVIER
Newcastle United
01 KRUL, Tim
03 SANTON, Davide
02 COLOCCINI, Fabricio
14 PERCH, James
05 SIMPSON, Danny
31 FERGUSON, Shane (82)
24 TIOTE, Cheick
20 BIGIRIMANA, Gael
23 AMEOBI, Shola (82)
22 MARVEAUX, Sylvain
34 TAVERNIER, James (88)
25 OBERTAN, Gabriel
09 CISSE, Papiss
29 BA, Demba
37 HARPER, STEVE
34 TAVERNIER, JAMES
STREETE, REMIE
39 ABEID, MEHDI
31 FERGUSON, SHANE
28 AMEOBI, SAMMY
23 AMEOBI, SHOLA
Top Comments:
@naomirstein on Twitter says:
What a goal! Walcott! Hat trick! 7-3 :D #AFCvNUFC #Arsenal