Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal: Time-wasting Gunners win game of fine margins
A case of what if for Newcastle United today, as a game of tight margins ended in a 2-0 win for Arsenal.
We came out of the blocks flying, hit the woodwork twice and were denied a penalty that was initially given by Chris Kavanagh. However, the Gunners had their chances and ended up seeing out the game well.
In truth, we were a few levels below our best - we lost the midfield battle convincingly - yet it shows how far we've come when a title-chasing Arsenal come away lucky not to concede a couple, despite playing so well. Perhaps the biggest compliment is the way they time-wasted from the off - rather ironic when you consider all of Mikel Arteta's moaning after the reverse fixture!
The result leaves us three ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand. The top-four race remains firmly in our hands, with Champions League football within our grasps if we can pick up six or seven points from remaining games against Leeds, Brighton, Leicester and Chelsea.
Howe went with an attacking line up, with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson BOTH starting. It was a shame to see Sean Longstaff miss out entirely, who ended up being a big miss (not for the first time) in front of our back four.
We made an electric start, seeing Jacob Murphy strike the inside of the post within 70 seconds, then a penalty incident followed. Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot for a Kiwior handball, but overturned his decision after taking a second look at the pitch side monitor. Did he make a 'clear and obvious' error? Perhaps, but the time taken to change his mind makes you wonder and left fans in the stadium furious after five minutes of limbo.
Nevertheless, our strong start was followed by a sucker punch at the other end, as Martin Odegaard’ low shot from range snuck from bodies in the box and past Nick Pope. 1-0 Arsenal.
They were a real threat on the counter and cut through our defence at times, but we had to stop giving it away in bad areas, with Bruno and Joelinton both guilty. We weren’t at our flowing best, yet Willock could’ve easily drawn us level had his low shot gone either side of Ramsdale.
That said, it could’ve easily been more than 1-0 at the break. Pope pulled off two one-on-one stops to deny Martinelli and Saka, then made himself big just seconds before the break to deny what looked like a certain goal for the elusive Odegaard.
It was a feisty game and emotions threatened to spill over at times, fuelled by the fact Mikel Arteta’s men were intent on slowing the game down where possible. Ramsdale took an age over his goal kicks, throw-ins were equally delayed and a few in red hit the deck to get treatment. It angered an already frustrated St James’ Park crowd, yet that could work in our favour as we went in 1-0 down and ready to attack the Gallowgate.
Like the first half, we kicked off the second with a big chance. Murphy got free, swung in a cross and Isak looked destined to head past post, only for his effort to crash off the post and out. Soon after, a set piece was swung in by Trippier which found an unmarked Schar from six yards out. Time stood still and we all expected the net the ripple, but his header was straight at Ramsdale. Down the other end, Arsenal hit the woodwork themselves, as Martinelli's floating effort clipped the top of the crossbar. Another let off that kept us in it, but you had to wonder how we hadn't scored.
Sadly, the game all killed off with 20 minutes to go, as Martinelli cross flashed across the box was turned into our own goal by Schar; the same man who almost equalised at the other end. A killer blow in a game of fine margins and one that left St James' Park flat. We huffed and puffed to pull one back - Saint-Maximin went close with one lovely effort that Ramsdale tipped wide - but we couldn't find a way after the likes of Almiron, Gordon, Targett and Anderson also came on.
It was good to see the Frenchman back, however, it was clear how much we missed Longstaff's tidy possession play and protection of the back four. Arsenal are a quality side who break at pace and have bags of quality, orchestrated by the brilliant Odegaard, but our midfield lacked balance today, with Bruno having one of his poorest games in a black and white shirt.
Next up, a meeting with Big Sam's Leeds next Saturday.
Keep the faith. HWTL.
