Since Arsenal’s 4-1 defeat away at Manchester City, many have felt that the title race has been mainly concluded and the Premier League title will no doubt be staying with Pep Guardiola’s side who have dominated the Premier League in recent years. However, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal made a real impressive statement on Sunday to show that they are still very much in the race with an impressive 0-2 away win at high-flying Newcastle.
The match almost started in the worst way possible for Arsenal, as in the opening minute of the contest Jacob Murphy struck an effort off the right-hand post of Aaron Ramsdale’s goal as the home side started with an intensity with matched the electric atmosphere of the home crowd. And they were initially awarded a penalty when a Bruno Guimaraes effort from the edge of the penalty area struck Jakub Kiwior. Although the decision was eventually overturned when it was concluded that the ball hit the young Polish defender on the leg before the arm.
Despite their early struggles, it would be the away side to hit the front as with their first shot at the Newcastle goal, Martin Odegaard followed up his brace in the London derby at home to Chelsea with a spectacular effort from distance which flew past Nick Pope and into the bottom corner. Getting the first goal and quieting the incredibly loud Geordie faithful was always going to be key and the captain’s strike ensured Arsenal had a platform in which to build on.
Aaron Ramsdale was forced into action shortly afterwards, making a strong stop with his foot to deny former Gunner and Hale End graduate Joe Willock the equaliser for the home side. And up the other end of the pitch, Arsenal should have doubled their lead as both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka went through one-on-one however could only force efforts straight at Pope in the Newcastle goal. The Gunners would have one more big chance before the interval, and it was arguably their best as the goalscorer Odegaard drove into the penalty area, sat down Dan Burn but with the goal at his mercy could only fire his effort straight at a grateful Nick Pope who kept Newcastle in the game to round of a breathless first half on Tyneside.
The second half started just like the first as Oleksandr Zinchenko got beat by Jacob Murphy, the winger set up a cross for Swedish striker Alexander Isak who smashed his header against the frame of the goal, Aaron Ramsdale would be called into action minutes later, making an outstanding save from a Fabian Schar header when the Swiss defender looked certain to score.
Despite their pressure though, Arsenal would find that precious second goal when Schar turned a Gabriel Martinelli cross into his own net. The defender had been extremely lucky to escape a booking minutes before following a nasty challenge on Gabriel Jesus and his error to gift Arsenal a two-goal cushion delighted the travelling Arsenal support. Arsenal managed to see the game out with some solid defending to claim a long awaited clean sheet and a fantastic three points in the process.
Mikel Arteta and his side will feel some hope again, however another tough test awaits them as they host Brighton and Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium in the following week.
Player Ratings:
Aaron Ramsdale: 8 – Some great saves throughout. WIll be delighted with the clean sheet which was very much deserved
Ben White: 7 – A solid defensive display
Jakub Kiwior: 8 – Followed up a strong league debut with an even more impressive performance, very solid
Gabriel: 7 – Made the team despite coming off injured against Chelsea and put in a strong display
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6 – Tidy in possession but did struggle at times defensively. It’s not quite happening for the Ukrainian at the moment
Jorginho: 9 – Superb. Some questioned Arteta’s decision to keep the Italian in the starting XI but he proved the doubters wrong and then some. Great on the ball throughout
Granit Xhaka: 8 – Great performance again. Made one outstanding block to deny Willock in the second half
Martin Odegaard: 9 – Another excellent performance from the captain with another brilliant goal
Bukayo Saka: 7 – Tireless performance and always a threat in attack
Gabriel Jesus: 7 – No real sight at goal for the Brazilian but his work rate was incredible. Held it up well and never stopped running
Gabriel Martinelli: 7 – Made the second goal and worked ever so hard, should have scored himself though