On paper, this was an exciting match between two teams in the top 4, but in the end, it was a nervous stalemate and goalless draw between Arsenal and Newcastle at the Emirates stadium. The league leaders were perfect at their home ground in the Premier League this season with 7 wins, until league’s best defense came to North London and stopped Nketiah, Saka and the rest of Arsenal’s forwards. The draw was the fairest result, considering what we saw on the field tonight. In fact, both teams denied each other and didn’t create much chances, but it was still a fierce battle with lots of contacts and nine yellow cards. Nick Pope has only made three saves this evening as Arsenal couldn’t capitalize on their better possession. In the end, an unsuccessful penalty appeal in injury time created a stir between Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe, but the nets remained empty.Mikel Arteta’s managerial record vs. Newcastle United:✅ 4-0✅ 2-0✅ 3-0✅ 2-0✅ 2-0❌ 2-0🤝 0-0Are things starting to turn? 🤨 pic.twitter.com/oGtmo7QIvS— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 3, 2023 The Gunners will surely be unhappy as they lost their first two points at home against the likes of Newcastle, while they managed to defeat teams like Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham. Arteta started with the same team which won against Brighton this evening, while Eddie Howe was able to field his best striker Callum Wilson.The first half started with Arsenal’s siege on Newcastle’s goal and goalkeeper Pope had to save the shot from Saka with his legs. The visitors had their chance in the 11th minute, but Wilson took a shot and it went straight to Ramsdale. The Magpies soon recovered and in the next half an hour we saw two teams denying each other. No chances, just hard tackles, and five yellow cards between the 27th and 42nd minute. Gabriel had a great header in the 34th minute, but it went just near the post, while Joelington had a chance of the half in injury time, when he missed a header from three meters.🟡 vs #CPFC🟡 vs #AFCB🟢 vs #FFC🟢 vs #BrentfordFC🟡 vs #MUFC🟢 vs #EFC🟢 vs #THFC🟢 vs #AVFC 🟢 vs #SaintsFC🟢 vs #CFC🟢 vs #LCFC🟡 vs #LUFC🟡 vs #ArsenalThe last time Newcastle suffered a Premier League defeat was to Liverpool in August. pic.twitter.com/JbsjWU1g1f— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) January 3, 2023 The second half was pretty much the same, and Arsenal had even fewer chances. In fact, the only real one came in the 79th minute, when Gabriel had another great header, this time to the other post, but with the same result – just wide. In the 95th minute, a penalty appeal from Arsenal caused a stir between fierce Arteta and usually calm Eddie Howe, but there was no Tuchel – Conte kind of handshake at the end.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – Matchday 19MondayBrentford – Liverpool 3-1 (2-0)/Konate 19 og, Wissa 42, Mbeumo 84 – Oxlade-Chamberlain 50/TuesdayLeicester – Fulham 0-1 (0-1)/Mitrovic 17/Arsenal – Newcastle 0-0Everton – Brighton 1-4 (0-1)/Gray 90+2 (p) – Mitoma 14, Ferguson 51, March 54, Gross 57/Man.Utd. – Bournemouth 3-0 (1-0)/Casemiro 23, Shaw 49, Rashford 86/Wednesday22.30: (2.10) Southampton (3.50) Nott.Forest (3.80)22.45: (2.65) Leeds (3.25) West Ham (2.70)23.00: (2.05) Aston Villa (3.50) Wolverhampton (3.90)23.00: (3.35) Crystal Palace (3.40) Tottenham (2.30)Thursday23.00: (5.50) Chelsea (3.90) Man.City (1.70)***odds are subject to change
