Arsenal kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Champions League-chasing Newcastle United at a frenetic St James’ Park. The Gunners have shown signs of fragility and nervousness over the past month as they battle Manchester City for the title, but Mikel Arteta’s side were able to move to within one point of their rivals by beating in-form Newcastle. The visitors survived a brutal early onslaught in which Newcastle hit the post and had a penalty overturned to take the lead through captain Martin Odegaard.
The Magpies, who had scored 13 goals in their last three games, were then awarded a penalty for a Jorginho handball, only for VAR to overturn Chris Kavanagh’s initial decision. Arsenal opened the scoring against the run of play on 14 minutes as Odegaard found space on the edge of the box and rifled a shot past the outstretched Nick Pope. While Pope failed to keep out Odegaard’s pinpoint effort, he twice prevented Arsenal from doubling their lead midway through the first half, first kicking away Gabriel Martinelli’s effort and then palming away Bukayo Saka’s strike.
Newcastle remained dangerous, though, and ex-Arsenal forward Joe Willock forced a save from Aaron Ramsdale as the hosts chased an equaliser. Both keepers were kept busy and Pope kept out Odegaard on the stroke of half-time when the Arsenal captain looked set to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.
The frenetic nature of the match continued after the break, with Newcastle hitting the post through Alexander Isak and Ramsdale making another big save to deny Fabian Schar. Arsenal also came close to scoring a second-half goal, however, with a curling effort from Martinelli clipping the crossbar. The Gunners did finally silence St James’ Park with 20 minutes remaining as Martinelli led a counter-attack and his cross was deflected in by Newcastle defender Schar.
Arsenal kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Champions League-chasing Newcastle United at a frenetic St James’ Park. The Gunners have shown signs of fragility and nervousness over the past month as they battle Manchester City for the title, but Mikel Arteta’s side were able to move to within one point of their rivals by beating in-form Newcastle. The visitors survived a brutal early onslaught in which Newcastle hit the post and had a penalty overturned to take the lead through captain Martin Odegaard.
The Magpies, who had scored 13 goals in their last three games, were then awarded a penalty for a Jorginho handball, only for VAR to overturn Chris Kavanagh’s initial decision. Arsenal opened the scoring against the run of play on 14 minutes as Odegaard found space on the edge of the box and rifled a shot past the outstretched Nick Pope. While Pope failed to keep out Odegaard’s pinpoint effort, he twice prevented Arsenal from doubling their lead midway through the first half, first kicking away Gabriel Martinelli’s effort and then palming away Bukayo Saka’s strike.
Newcastle remained dangerous, though, and ex-Arsenal forward Joe Willock forced a save from Aaron Ramsdale as the hosts chased an equaliser. Both keepers were kept busy and Pope kept out Odegaard on the stroke of half-time when the Arsenal captain looked set to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.
The frenetic nature of the match continued after the break, with Newcastle hitting the post through Alexander Isak and Ramsdale making another big save to deny Fabian Schar. Arsenal also came close to scoring a second-half goal, however, with a curling effort from Martinelli clipping the crossbar. The Gunners did finally silence St James’ Park with 20 minutes remaining as Martinelli led a counter-attack and his cross was deflected in by Newcastle defender Schar to double Arsenal’s lead and seal their victory.
Arsenal, aiming to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004, are now one point behind Man City with three games remaining, while Newcastle United are third – three points above fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand. With this victory, Arsenal have kept their title hopes alive and will be hoping to continue their form in their upcoming matches.