We know what we need to do – Walcott

Arsenal dispensed with its typically silky football and toughed out a 1-0 win over Newcastle, through a goal from defender Laurent Koscielny, to move two points clear at the top.

Statistically, Arsenal is the strongest premier league club even though the squad is blighted by injuries but the caliber of players in the reserve team are still better than most premier league side, one of the basic reasons they’re on top of the league table.

Wenger himself has said title discussion is “too far” out at the moment and urged Arsenal players to improve their form after two wins in which his side did not always impress. When we moved into the stadium here, when many players were 23 or 24, on their day we could play everybody off the park but when you had to dig deep, come out with your knowledge and your experience, it was a bit more hard.

“With this type of team (Arsenal) you have to take the chance, in this stadium when you have kind of chance you have to take them”. When you are a long time in the job, you can feel if there is something in there or not.

“You have to say “let’s stick together and try and win the game if we can, the mental aspect of our game was tested today”. You must not panic and wait for your chance.

– The Mapgies have lost their last three Premier League games by a 1-0 scoreline, with each goal coming later than the 71st minute.

With so many games in quick succession over the Christmas period, the ability of a manager to rotate is crucial to a side’s success rate.

There were no big upsets in the Premier League on Saturday, but plenty of big results that might alter the course of this season.

Newcastle began to play with a confidence that belied its lowly league placing, but Arsenal continued to look risky and the visitors needed a timely block from Fabricio Coloccini to stop Giroud’s shot after Oxlade-Chamberlain’s clever pass.

– Arsene Wenger has won 11 of his 12 Premier League meetings with Steve McClaren, losing the other.

The 27-year-old praised his teammates upon their “ugly” win which saw them go two points clear of Leicester City. There’s no way back for them.

“We believe we can be a good team if we put the effort in”.

Mbemba’s cross found Wijnaldum, who forced a save from Petr Cech. The performance wasn’t there to be honest, but the work rate is always there and when you have work rate you always get the success that you need, want and deserve. But they won – and that’s all that matters when you’re hunting down the title.