- Newcastle ended Premier League leaders Arsenal’s hopes of taking a 10-point lead in the title race.
- Arsenal’s Game with Newcastle ended with a goalless draw at Emirates.
- Arteta was on the spot for his touchline behaviour.
Newcastle ended Premier League leaders Arsenal’s hopes of taking a 10-point lead in the title race with a goalless draw at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Newcastle has kept 10 clean sheets in 18 Premier League games this season. Indeed, a badge of honour for any defence. That incredible achievement is backed up by the goals conceded column, which also ranks them as the best defence in the Premier League, with only 11 goals conceded so far this season. Arsenal comes in second with 14 shipped.
Solid Newcastle Defence
Solid defence display by Newcastle.|PHOTO: Sky Sports|
Both teams had chances in the match but were able to keep strikers Eddie Nketiah and Callum Wilson off the scoreboard. Despite failing to close the gap on the league leaders, this result demonstrates that Newcastle is not a team to be underestimated in the race for a Champions League spot.
The game felt l a true top-four clash, with chances at a premium and cards flying everywhere. Arsenal’s protests for handballs during their attacks were, if anything, a show of respect for the Magpies’ defensive work. Both teams fired 25 shots during the game, but only five were on target. Given how easy it was to score against Newcastle before Howe arrived, having them do the simple things while improving the squad has turned it around, especially with Kieran Trippier’s performances.
The most recent clean sheet obtained by Nick Pope and his Newcastle defence were arguably the most impressive. Arsenal had scored in their previous 17 Premier League games and began knowing they had won their previous ten matches at The Emirates, scoring 32rocess.
Newcastle not only kept them out, but they kept them out without incident. Pope only had to make three saves, the best of which came late in the game with his feet from Eddie Nketiah. Arsenal’s chance creation equated to only 1.13 expected goals.
The injury to Gabriel Jesus exposed Arsenal’s thin squad depth, and while Nketiah is doing his best to fill the void, the Gunners are limited beyond him.
Arteta only made one substitution during the 90 minutes, replacing Ben White at full-back.
Arteta Displeased with Referee
Mikel Arteta was displeased with the Referee’s decisions.|PHOTO: Getty
Arteta spent much of the night on the edge of his technical area, confronting the fourth official, Jarred Gillett, when only five minutes were added on at the end, then moving towards the opposite number Eddie Howe, after late penalty appeals were denied before being ushered away.
It certainly did not exude calm when required, as Newcastle’s tenacious defensive approach and desire to drag Arsenal into a dogfight led to frustration all around.
When Arteta calms down, he can still judge a job well done, but this was a night when his Arsenal team ran into a formidable barrier in the form of Newcastle, their work deteriorating after a bright start, even though they nearly snatched it at the end.
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