Newcastle United vs Arsenal. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance50,267.
Report and free match highlights as Arsenal move back to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester City, who have a game in hand; Martin Odegaard and a Fabian Schar own-goal was enough for the important victory at St James' Park
Monday 8 May 2023 06:01, UK
Arsenal showed their mettle and came through a devilishly difficult fixture at Newcastle to keep the title race alive with a 2-0 win at St James’ Park.
In a compelling encounter played in a ferocious atmosphere, Arsenal stood firm and stuck to their principles with Martin Odegaard firing them in front from 30 yards on 14 minutes before a Fabian Schar own-goal wrapped it up in the second half.
Newcastle had won eight of their last nine games and suffered defeat just twice in their last 24 Premier League home games but could not find a route to goal despite Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak both striking the woodwork.
It leaves the Gunners a point behind Pep Guardiola's side, who still have a game in hand. It might prove a chase in vein but Arsenal are staying hot on Manchester City's heels as this fascinating title race rolls on.
For the Magpies, who saw an early penalty decision in their favour overturned, the result does leave them with work still to do to claim a top-four finish.
Arsenal's season came crashing down on Tyneside last year when a 2-0 defeat meant a top-four finish was out of their hands going into the final weekend - but this is a more resilient and battle-hardened group now.
Mikel Arteta admitted that defeat was part of the motivation ahead of this clash: "My players had revenge in their minds after last year," he said.
That said, Newcastle started very brightly. Murphy was unfortunate to see a second-minute shot come back off the foot of a post and Arsenal were rocking and looked to be in trouble when referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot after defender Jakub Kiwior appeared to block Bruno Guimaraes' shot with his hand.
Arsenal were given a reprieve, though, as the official changed his mind after being advised to review the incident which showed the ball deflected off the defender's knee.
Newcastle fans were still venting at the referee when Odegaard was given time and space on the edge of the box to fire a left-foot drive past the helpless Pope to give the visitors the lead against the run of play.
That moment of brilliance settled the away side into their stride as they took control of the game.
Pope had to save from Gabriel Martinelli and Odegaard in quick succession and then denied Bukayo Saka one-on-one after he had been played in by Granit Xhaka.
Aaron Ramsdale was called into serious action within four minutes of the restart when, after Isak's header had hit a post, he clawed away Schar's header from close range.
Martnelli then clipped an effort off the top of the crossbar as there was little break from the breathless pace of the game as play switched rapidly from end to end.
The next goal was going to be crucial and Arsenal got it 19 minutes from time when Martinelli's driven cross ricocheted past Pope off Schar and into the net.
This was a victory to dispel any notion that this Arsenal team will not be able to sustain the charge. They are still fighting for this title.
Sky Sports' Gary Neville:
"I thought they might get eaten alive [on Sunday]. The atmosphere was ferocious. Arsenal grew up here a lot. Mikel Arteta deserves a lot of credit for picking Jorginho. Many would have said get Thomas Partey back in there. The class Martin Odegaard showed in the first 30 minutes was outstanding. Jorginho composed his team-mates and guided them. Martinelli and Saka are still not at their best but the composure from Odegaard and Jorginho was there for all to see.
"The reason why Manchester United players and Pep Guardiola have said Paul Scholes is their favourite player was because in moments in the hardest atmosphere in a difficult away game those players are unique. They have the composure, the balance to get the team playing. That's what Jorginho reminded me of - he was fantastic.
"Arsenal have gone up a lot in my estimation [on Sunday] as I didn't expect that. I expected them to fall. Those Manchester City players will go to bed, not panicking, but it's a little dig in the ribs. They will have wanted a cushion going into the Real Madrid game."
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: "Fine margins for us and we just came out on the wrong side of them. We missed some big chances in the game and it just wasn't quite there for us. I am sure I will look back at some moments and rue some moments we didn't get quite right.
"If Jacob's (Murphy) chance goes in early on, it is a totally different game. There are loads of things we will look back on and think it could have gone our way and didn't. We have to take ownership of that. We are disappointed as I don't think we defended as well as we have done for the majority of the season. But we gave everything. It was a high-level game and two teams going right at each other. That produced a good spectacle.
"There were loads of chances there and we didn't put the ball in the net. We have done in our previous run of games. We didn't keep the ball well enough and were a bit loose in possession. When you give Arsenal transitions they are a very dangerous team and so it proved.
"The result would tell you they did [imposed their style on the game], but in truth I think neither were dominant. It was to that bit of quality to win it. It hinged on big moments.
"We have four games remaining and need three results. Liverpool and other teams are coming. They are top level. We can only do what we can do and I believe in the character of the team to get it over the line."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports: "They showed what it takes to come here, in this environment, against a great team, what it takes to win. The desire to keep digging, keep believing, with a reward which is so big. We had to do it today and we did everything we had to do to win the game.
"Sport always gives you another opportunity, and then you have to take it, and learn from those moments and see how you felt in those moments to overcome it, and act in a different way. The team did that really well today.
"You have to go through the pain and the emotion of what you felt in the moment. You can't forget it if you want to become better, you have to recognise that in any moment you can have that feeling. It's a horrible feeling, you don't want to have it again. You have to do your most, and you might lose still - this is sport - but it had to be different today.
"Jorginho was exceptional, he was man of the match, there were question marks because it was going to be really physical, but if you want to go physicality against physicality, you have no chance to win the game so we had to try something different.
"He understood the game really well, he's a really intelligent player. He gives a lot of security to the team and dominated the game in many moments."
Newcastle continue their top-four challenge at Leeds on Saturday May 13. Kick-off 3pm.
Arsenal have just three league games remaining. They host Brighton on Saturday at 3pm before heading to Nottingham Forest on Saturday May 20, live on Sky Sports, before finishing their season at the Emirates against Wolves.
May 13: Leeds (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 18: Brighton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm
May 22: Leicester (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm
May 28: Chelsea (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
May 13: Brighton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
May 28: Wolves (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
