Newcastle put an enormous dent in Arsenal’s title aspirations on Saturday, successful 1-0 to present leaders Manchester Metropolis the prospect to maneuver eight factors away from the Gunners on the prime of the Premier League. Alexander Isak scored what proved to be the successful objective within the twelfth minute, heading residence Anthony Gordon’s pinpoint cross from the proper. Arsenal struggled to get out of first gear and though they dominated possession, they produced only one shot on track in the whole recreation.
Mikel Arteta’s males have now picked up only one level of their previous three video games as their title push rapidly runs out of steam.
If defending champions Metropolis win at Bournemouth afterward Saturday they are going to be eight factors away from the Gunners. Liverpool, a degree behind Metropolis, host Brighton at Anfield.
Arsenal have pushed Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis exhausting in every of the previous two seasons and seemed to be well-equipped for one more title problem however the hole already seems alarmingly massive.
The injury-hit guests began brightly within the opening seconds at St James’ Park, with Leandro Trossard dragging the ball large.
However the residence aspect, who had not received for 5 matches, rapidly settled and Sweden ahead Isak received between Gabriel and William Saliba to move residence from Gordon’s beautiful first-time cross.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka lacked penetration however headed simply large within the 18th minute after leaping above his marker.
Newcastle defender Lewis Corridor blocked Mikel Merino’s shot on the road after a Declan Rice nook precipitated chaos however the guests lacked rhythm and didn’t match the depth proven by the house aspect.
Arteta opted in opposition to making modifications at half-time and Newcastle got here near doubling their lead virtually instantly, with Joe Willock’s shot saved by David Raya.
The Spanish boss threw on 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and Oleksandr Zinchenko for Gabriel Martinelli and Merino simply after the hour mark.
Isak fired a shot at Raya that the Arsenal goalkeeper pushed away earlier than Rice muscled his manner into the Newcastle space and flashed a shot large.
Arteta made additional modifications, introducing defender Ben White and ahead Gabriel Jesus within the determined push for an equaliser.
Arsenal struggled to construct up a head of steam because the clock ticked down however they squandered a golden probability to equalise when Rice headed simply large from a Saka cross in stoppage time.
The Gunners, nonetheless lacking captain Martin Odegaard, suffered a shock defeat in opposition to Bournemouth final month and drew 2-2 with Liverpool final week.
They’ve robust video games arising in opposition to Inter Milan within the Champions League and Chelsea subsequent week.
The win lifts Eddie Howe’s Newcastle to eighth within the desk forward of the later kick-offs on Saturday.
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