Andy Carroll's bravery bags his goal for Newcastle
HOW to handle Andy Carroll? That is a question England coach Fabio Capello and the FA will try to answer but also a problem they hope will keep frustrating French defenders.
It is no secret Carroll likes to play hard, both on and off the pitch.
That was highlighted to Capello again when he awoke to headlines about parties and women, and underlined to Arsenal’s French rearguard when Carroll rose to head Newcastle’s winner a few hours later.
Magpies boss Chris Hughton seems to accept the good with the bad when it comes to Carroll, but Capello and the FA will demand he concentrates solely on heaping misery on the French when he joins up with England’s seniors for next week’s friendly against them.
Laurent Koscielny was the closest French defender to Carroll as the striker outjumped him as well as Arsenal’s keeper Lukasz Fabianski and Marouane Chamakh.
But Sebastien Squillaci, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy also received the full treatment from Newcastle’s newest hero. The Gunners’ French manager Arsene Wenger had warned that Carroll, 21, “has something special”, but was unable to come up with a plan to nullify him.
Carroll was impressive all over the pitch. He held up the ball, offered a goal threat, chased all the lost causes and, on numerous occasions, headed clear from his own penalty area.
He was not only more effective than any of the Arsenal forwards, but also defended far better than Koscielny, Squillaci, Sagna and Clichy.
It seemed Newcastle would be happy to go in at half-time level, but, seconds before the break, Carroll made the breakthrough with a signature strike. Joey Barton lobbed in a free-kick and Carroll showed determination, power, timing and accuracy to rise and head home.
Capello will have no doubt taken note and might also have been interested to see Carroll’s celebrations, as he ran to the touchline to embrace Hughton. He clearly appreciates the faith that has been shown in him.
Hughton deserved such hugs and handshakes, and surely now deserves a long-term contract after following up the 5-1 victory over local rivals Sunderland with this rare win at Arsenal.
Carroll was the undisputed hero, but Hughton set up his team perfectly. They denied the Gunners space, defended well and, when needed, came up with individual brilliance. Goalkeeper Tim Krul made great saves to deny Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, that second stop being particularly impressive.
Koscielny’s sorry afternoon was compounded when he was shown a straight red for pulling down substitute Nile Ranger.
The Gunners will try to appeal against a sending-off that will earn him a two-game suspension. But, despite Fabregas and Theo Walcott hitting the crossbar, they can have few complaints about the result.
Wenger felt moved to throw on Robin van Persie, who did not even look half-fit just after returning to full training from injury. Newcastle enjoyed most of the possession, and while not many sides beat the Gunners on their own patch, even fewer have more of the ball.
Also, there will not be a striker who causes Wenger’s French connection more problems this season.
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
