With a 1-0 victory on Saturday, Newcastle severely damaged Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League, giving leaders Manchester City the opportunity to pass the Gunners by eight points. In the 12th minute, Alexander Isak headed home Anthony Gordon’s accurate cross from the right to score the game-winning goal. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal only managed one shot on goal during the whole game and failed to get out of first gear.
As their title challenge rapidly dwindles, Mikel Arteta’s club has now only gained one point in their last three games.
City, the reigning champions, would lead the Gunners by eight points if they defeat Bournemouth later on Saturday. Liverpool hosts Brighton at Anfield, one point behind City.
In the last two seasons, Arsenal has put a lot of pressure on Pep Guardiola’s City and seemed primed for another title assault, but the distance already appears to be too great.
With Leandro Trossard sliding the ball wide in the first few seconds, the injury-plagued visitors got off to a strong start at St. James’ Park.
However, the home team, who hadn’t won in five games, soon adjusted, and Isak of Sweden headed home from Gordon’s beautiful first-time cross after getting between Gabriel and William Saliba.
After jumping over his man in the 18th minute, Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka headed narrowly wide despite lacking penetration.
After a Declan Rice corner produced commotion, Newcastle defender Lewis Hall stopped Mikel Merino’s attempt on the line, but the visitors lacked rhythm and were unable to match the home team’s enthusiasm.
Arteta chose not to make any changes at halftime, and Newcastle nearly doubled their advantage right away when David Raya stopped a shot from Joe Willock.
Shortly after the hour, the Spanish manager substituted Oleksandr Zinchenko and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri for Gabriel Martinelli and Merino.
Rice made his way into the Newcastle area and flashed a shot wide after Isak fired a shot at Raya that the Arsenal goalkeeper punched away.
In a last-ditch effort to equalize, Arteta made more changes, adding striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Ben White.
As the clock ran out, Arsenal found it difficult to gain momentum, but they wasted a great opportunity to equalize in stoppage time when Rice headed just wide from a Saka cross.
The Gunners, who are currently without skipper Martin Odegaard, drew 2-2 with Liverpool last week and lost shockingly to Bournemouth last month.
They face difficult matches against Chelsea next week and Inter Milan in the Champions League.
With the victory, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle moves up to seventh place in the standings before Saturday’s later kickoffs.
Read More: Manchester City Suffer First League Loss Since December, Arsenal Crash As Liverpool Go Top
