Gunners news: Arsenal 7-3 Newcastle

Walcott & Giroud help Gunners end the year on a high

A late flurry of goals from Arsene Wenger's side glossed over a game that was equal until the closing stages, with the England international grabbing a hat-trick

 

The Gunners took the lead four times during a chaotic match before eventually seeing off the spirited visitors as Walcott made the difference with a finishing masterclass in his preferred role as a central striker. Attention will now turn to whether the Gunners can keep the 23-year-old at the club, with his contract set to expire in the summer and no sign of a breakthrough in talks over a new deal.

Walcott had opened the scoring with a classy finish in the 20th minute but the sides went in level at the break thanks to Demba Ba's deflected free-kick two minutes before half-time.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain restored Arsenal's advantage five minutes after the re-start before Sylvain Marveaux tapped home a second equaliser just before the hour mark to the frustration and bemusement of the home crowd.

Lukas Podolski put Arsenal back in the lead from close range, yet his strike was quickly cancelled out as Ba volleyed home his second of the evening.

Then, in the 73rd minute, Walcott spun in the penalty area to slam the ball into the top corner from 12 yards. This time, there was no way back for Newcastle and substitute Olivier Giroud sealed the points with two late goals.

There was still time for Walcott to complete his hat-trick as he danced across the touchline and flicked a delightful finish over Tim Krul to claim the matchball - and give his agent some bargaining power as talks over a new deal continue.

The result lifts Arsenal up to fifth in the Premier League on the back of four wins in a row while Newcastle are on a dismal run having collected just six points from their last 10 matches.

Arsenal came into the game on the back of three league wins in a row and with four days more rest than Newcastle after their Boxing Day clash with West Ham was called off. Arsene Wenger made just one change to the team that beat Wigan, with Laurent Koscielny replacing Per Mertesacker, while Cheikh Tiote and Gabriel Obertan came in for Newcastle.

In a a cagey, one-paced opening period, it was Walcott who provided the spark and energy in Arsenal's play. As his contract stand-off continues heading into the January transfer window, the England international was again selected in his preferred central role - and he made his point to Wenger with the opening goal in the 20th minute.

It was a goal reminiscent of Thierry Henry in his pomp and the Gunners legend was leading the applause as he prepares to re-join the club on loan in January.

Podolski placed the ball into space behind the Newcastle back four and Walcott timed his run to beat the offside trap and spring clear down the inside left channel before opening up his body and placing a clean finish into the bottom corner.

Arsenal were struggling to open up the well-organised visitors but Walcott nearly doubled the lead after skipping past Fabio Coloccini but his left-footed shot was smothered by Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Newcastle had already served a couple of warnings as to their threat in the final third before the scoreline was levelled two minutes before the break with a huge slice of fortune.

Ba struck his free-kick with power from 25 yards but Wojciech Szczesny appeared to have it covered before the ball was diverted in via a massive deflection off Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal began the second-half with purpose, Krul keeping out Kieran Gibbs from a tight angle before Oxlade-Chamberlain restored the home side’s lead in the 50th minute. The winger was given far too much room by the Newcastle defence as he collected Santi Cazorla's pass and he fired a low finish into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area.

Nine minutes later, however, Newcastle were level. Gabriel Obertan danced into the Arsenal penalty area and crossed virtually across the goalline via a Koscielny deflection for Marveaux to tap home as the Gunners defence fell asleep.

Yet sloppy defending was a theme of the evening and Arsenal were back ahead in the 64th minute. Podolski was the eventual goalscorer but the credit belonged to Wilshere, who stormed into the box and clipped a delightful chip that Newcastle failed to handle, the ball bouncing off the crossbar before falling for the German to nod home.

There was more to come. On 69 minutes, Newcastle drew level for the third time as Gibbs once again got sucked in and Ba volleyed Marveaux’s excellent cross into the near post.

Four minutes later, Walcott was too sharp for the Newcastle defence as he spun in the area and fired high into the top corner from 12 yards.

Six minutes from time, Walcott turned provider as he crossed for Giroud to score with a diving header to relax the home crowd and ensure the victory. Three minutes later, the Frenchman scored his second as he collected the ball in the penalty area and smashed his effort past Krul at the near post.

By now, Arsenal’s appetite for goals was insatiable and Walcott crowned his wonderful individual performance in added time. Now the Gunners must do everything in their power to keep him at the club.

 

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Leafy sea dragon

The leafy seadragon or Glauert's seadragon, Phycodurus eques, is a marine fish in the family Syngnathidae, which also includes the seahorses. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus. It is found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. The name is derived from the appearance, with long leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body. These protrusions are not used for propulsion; they serve only as camouflage. The leafy seadragon propels itself by means of a pectoral fin on the ridge of its neck and a dorsal fin on its back closer to the tail end. These small fins are almost completely transparent and difficult to see as they undulate minutely to move the creature sedately through the water, completing the illusion of floating seaweed.

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Most scandalous magazine covers

Scandals are sold. And, well. In the ongoing battle on the magazine market, where conspicuous cover plays a huge role, these magazine covers have broken all records. While all of these covers have caused much controversy for many reasons, all of which have attracted the attention of the public. And they left a negative or a positive impression, the reader to decide.

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1. Adolf Hitler: The Personality of the Year, in 1938, the magazine «Time».

Cover has caused a lot of controversy for obvious reasons. "Personality of the Year" - the number of the «Time», which comes out once a year and is dedicated to a person, group or idea that "for better or worse most strongly influenced by the events of the year." Here is a clipping from the magazine, "September 29, 1938, an important event - four policy met in Munich, to redraw the map of Europe. The three of them were British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, French Prime Minister Edouard Daladier and dictator Benito Mussolini in Italy. But, oddly enough, a major figure in Munich was Adolf Hitler. "
See also issue - Time Magazine cover shocked the audience with a nursing mother

2. Nude and pregnant Demi Moore, in August 1991, the magazine «Vanity Fair»

She filmed the famous photographer Annie Leibovitz. Demi Moore was the first celebrity to appear on the cover of a naked and pregnant. When she was 28, she was still married to Bruce Willis, and they were waiting for their second child in the same month. Later copied the famous pose of other stars, including Cindy Crawford, Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson.

3. John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1980, the magazine «Rolling Stone»

More cult was another photo Annie Leibovitz for the cover of the magazine «Rolling Stone» John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Apparently originally Leibovitz wanted to remove one of Lennon, but he insisted on the presence of his wife. This photo was taken just hours before Lennon's murder in New York on 8 December 1980.

4. "God is dead?" - The magazine «Time», April 8, 1966

This title is "Dead God?" Many considered offensive. The paper discussed the radical movement "Death of God", which appeared in the 1960s. It was also the first time that the cover was only used the title, without a photo. This cover has brought to the journal most letters in the history of its existence.

5. The first African-American woman on the cover of the magazine «Playboy» in 1971

Darin Stern became the first African-American to appear on the cover of the magazine «Playboy». Taken by Richard Figley, at the time the choice to take on the cover of dark-skinned model was rare.
See also issue - Sexuality and beauty for 50 years

6. Prison picture O. Jay Simpson, the magazine «Time», June 27, 1994

In 1994, footballer Jay O. Simpson was accused of murdering his wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. This case was called one of the "disclosed" in American history. The problem with the cover of the magazine is that the editors allegedly made Jay O. darker and more sinister than it actually is. Unmodified photograph was published on the cover of «Newsweek» (below).

7.

8. Obama family, the magazine «The New Yorker», July 21, 2008

Scandalous cover - picture artist Barry Blitt, who presented a frightening satire and disinformation tactics used in the campaign of Obama.

9. Ellen DeGeneres, the magazine «TIME», April 14, 1997

While the cover with the statement, "Yes, I am a lesbian", even from a television celebrity was more than scandalous. After that, many TV channels have decided to remove the air transmission Ellen DeGeneres. At the time, she was the only presenter, who was not afraid to admit his homosexuality.

10. "Caught in the loop", the magazine «Golfweek», January 19, 2008

Scandalous magazine cover «Golfweek» came after reporter Kelly Tilghman criticized Tiger Woods during the broadcast of the tournament January 4, 2008. In earnest co-lead of Nick Faldo that young players should "unite against the" Woods, Tilghman said, "and gave him a lynching in a dark alley." Magazine cover article on this subject so criticized that the editor resigned the next day.

11. Photos of Michael Jackson's death - the magazine «OK! Weekly », June 2009

The public has criticized the magazine for this supposedly last picture of Michael Jackson in life. Apparently it was bought for $ 500,000 and has appeared in the "official" magazine column. "This picture should not leave people indifferent - said editor Sarah Ivens in defense. - This image pays tribute to a great man, but also a reminder of the fact that he was an eccentric and led a controversial life. "

12. Princess Diana on the cover of «Newsweek», July 4, 2011

On this controversial magazine cover «Newsweek» depicts Princess Diana, "transferred" to the cover with the help of computer technology, next to this photo Catherine Middleton. Diana died in a car accident in 1997, in 2011, she would be 50. In April 2011, Catherine Middleton married Diana's eldest son Prince William.

13. "If you do not buy this magazine, we'll kill this dog", the magazine «National Lampoon», January 1973

Although the cover is not as scandalous as the previous ones, it is moved by the public to their pronounced hint of cruelty to animals. Besides, this is not a photomontage, so this shot so many stir.

14. But this interpretation of the above covers only now with the magazine «Texas Monthly» and Vice President Dick Cheney. "If you do not buy this magazine, Dick Cheney will shoot you in the face." Cover beat the unfortunate incident that occurred with the vice president on the hunt.

15. The first president of the gay, «Newsweek», May 21, 2012

On this cover over the head of President Barack Obama flaunts halo rainbow of colors, symbolizing the protection of the president of the gay community and the promotion of same-sex marriages. The author suggested that perhaps the president himself gay?

16. Britney Spears, the magazine «Rolling Stone», April 1999

Prior to becoming a target of the paparazzi, Britney Spears was the "Queen of adolescents." At least that's what it was called the magazine «Rolling Stone» in his room in April 1999. In that year, many thought that this image was too old and bold for a 17-year-old girl.

17. Silhouette of the twin towers, the magazine «The New Yorker», September 24, 2001

Art Spiegelman has created this cover for the magazine «The New Yorker», where he worked 10 years, but from which resigned a few days after the September 11 attacks. Initially cover seems completely black, but, if you look, you can see the silhouette of skyscrapers exploded Sept. 11, 2001. Cover has been unanimously approved and placed in the top 40 best covers in the history.

 

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Fabulous town of Alberobello

Alberobello - a small town in southern Italy, huddled on the "heel" of the Italian "boot." It is famous for the unique trulli constructions included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996.



The population of the town of Alberobello is only about 11,000 people and it covers an area of 40 square kilometers


General view of the town of town of Alberobello.


These fun houses can be found not only in Alberobello, but only here, they form a complete streets - or rather, two historic quarter Ayia Piccola and Rione Monti.




Trulli are interesting primarily because they were built without the use of a solution to dry, and so destroy a house easier - we just know what kind of stone from the wall to pull out, and the house will be only a memory.


And the story is this: in the 17th century to erect any building without the permission of the reigning monarch was forbidden, but because people have to live somewhere, and that's resourceful people and came to build houses, which in case of royal officials could be destroyed in a minute and to pretend that "I - I did not, and the horse is not mine", and after checking out quickly rebuilt.


Wall "trullo" painted white, and the domes are decorated with various symbols, most often associated with magic, paganism and Christianity.


Painted white lime characters symbolizing purification, and are believed to defend the symbol of the evil eye and bring good luck occupants.


Roof shape also linked with burial structures of ancient Greece, as the area has long been an ancient Greek colony and became part of Italy only in 1860,


«Trulla» means the dome.




Currently, many of the "trullo" brought to the souvenir shops, but many still live the locals who often offer come in, look at the old utensils or climb to the roof to see a panorama of fantastic Alberobello.

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