After a rather pedestrian display of football for the majority of the first 90 minutes, Emile Smith Rowe came into the game and scored the game-winning goal in extra time to secure the Gunners 2-0 FA Cup win over Newcastle United. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyand added a second Arsenal goal late in extra time to secure the win, and break his own scoring draught as well.
Newcastle’s Andy Carroll had several chances to put the game away for United in regulation play, however, blown opportunities by him, and strong goalkeeping by Bernd Leno kept the veteran striker from scoring. At times during the match, Arsenal was fighting for their lives. Then entered Smith Rowe to help provide the needed extra punch.
At the end of the day, Smith Rowe was my MOTM. Even though he played a shorter shift than most of his teammates, the youngster provided what Mike Larteta needed to get the win. Granit Xhaka said this about the young Arsenal star, “He’s a lovely guy, a very good guy who wants to improve, he listens to us experienced players a lot and he’s so important to us. You can see how many balls he recovers, how many key balls he plays at the front and for the front guys as well he’s so important.”
I have been pushing for Arteta to give this kid a chance for a while now, so, I’m thrilled to see he is taking full opportunity of his chances on the pitch. Personally, I believe Emile Smith Rowe will be an extremely important part of the Arsenal club for many years to come.
Saturday was not a perfect game by any stretch of the imagination, however the Gunners slugged one out and did everything they could to to win the match and advance in the FA Cup tournament.
Next up, it’s home to Crystal Palace for a Premier League showdown on Thursday.
The Gunners have now won 4 in-a-row, but let’s hope the best is still yet to come!
COYG!
Cheers. Gunner1953
Mikel Arteta said on Friday Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all in contention to be in the squad for Saturday’s match.
According to Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk, Arsenal has intensified their interest in Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams as a top summer priority. 
Fabrizio Romano is reporting Calum McFarlane will be the Chelsea interim manager until the end of this season.
Arsenal Women have confirmed Manu Zinsberger will leave the club at the end of this season. The Austrian goalkeeper has totaled 51 cleans sheets in 143 appearances for the Gunners.
Stat of the Day: David Rays has made 53 saves and had 15 cleans sheets in 33 appearances this season for Arsenal.
American movie star Anne Hathaway on the Gunners title chances, “They better. I believe in Arsenal.”
Gabriel Magalhaes, “We need to be strong on Sunday, We are at this club to play these kind of games.”
Ten Premier League managers have been sacked this season, including three at Nottingham Forest, and two each at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
