NEW CASTLE: Newcastle put an enormous dent in Arsenal‘s title aspirations on Saturday, successful 1-Zero 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 12th minute, heading dwelling 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 your entire sport.
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 in a while 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 arduous in every of the previous two seasons and seemed to be well-equipped for an additional title problem however the hole already appears alarmingly massive.
The injury-hit guests began brightly within the opening seconds at St James’ Park, with Leandro Trossard dragging the ball vast.
However the dwelling aspect, who had not received for 5 matches, rapidly settled and Sweden ahead Isak bought between Gabriel and William Saliba to move dwelling from Gordon’s beautiful first-time cross.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka lacked penetration however headed simply vast 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 brought about chaos however the guests lacked rhythm and did not match the depth proven by the house aspect.
Arteta opted in opposition to making adjustments 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 method into the Newcastle space and flashed a shot vast.
Arteta made additional adjustments, 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 likelihood to equalise when Rice headed simply vast 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 powerful video games developing 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.
