Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal: What a difference a week can make!
Another fantastic bounce-back performance from Newcastle United saw us beat Arsenal 1-0 at St James’ Park for the second season in a row.
It’s a huge result and a monstrous performance from all involved, as the collective spirit and confidence gained from our midweek win was clear to see in all areas of the pitch. Everyone played their part and Eddie Howe got it spot on to outsmart Arteta once again.
From the very first minute, Eddie Howe’s side continued the high intensity from the Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea, and caused chaos - on and off the ball - for Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing team.
The game started with both sides trading shots and breaks, with Joe Willock’s proving to be an early problem for Arsenal’s defence as he combined with Joelinton down the left once again.
The Gunners’ notorious set pieces initially looked like a problem for Newcastle, with their 8th minute corner coming close to Nick Pope before the Magpies defence managed to clear it.
Arsenal continued to press early on, with Raya’s long range free kick finding Timber in the attacking third, who soon found Saka, but the England international’s effort just went wide.
Arsenal were left to rue their missed chances as just moments later, Alexander Isak controlled the ball in their third before the ball eventually made its way to Anthony Gordon on the right wing. A sensational cross from Gordon saw Isak rise highest amongst the towering Arsenal defence, with a picture perfect header putting the ball past Raya in the Gallowgate End to make it 1-0 Newcastle.
It was Isak’s fourth goal of the season in all competition, and his 12th in his last 12 appearances at St James’ Park: a welcome return for a striker slowly building some momentum back up this season.
The visitors came close to equalising in the 27th minute, where another set piece fell to Mikel Merino, whose powerful striker was blocked by Lewis Hall. An unwelcome return for the Spaniard on Tyneside, and just one highlight of Hall’s MOTM performance at left-back.
Hall and his full back partner Tino Livramento were both astounding this afternoon, with Gabriel Martinelli greatly struggling against Livramento. The defining moment coming in the first half when Tino caught the Brazilian up with ease and stop a potential break.
As the game went on, Arteta’s team showed no signs of a break through, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff controlling the midfield. Sandro Tonali being dropped was a controversial call before the match, but the duo were brilliant against Arsenal’s big money midfield.
All our hard work was almost undone in the dying minutes, as Saka’s incisive cross was almost poked in by Declan Rice in 93rd minute, but the ball once again went just wide of the net.
The win propels us up to 8th in the Premier League table, for now at least, and if results go our way this weekend, we could be just three points out of the Champions League places with some winnable games against Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Crystal Palace coming up in the league.
For the second season in a row, a 1-0 loss at St James’ Park has dealt some damage to Arsenal’s title push, and by the time the weekend is over, Mikel Arteta’s men could be closer to the midtable than they are to Manchester City at the top of the table.
What a difference a week can make! Get in.
