What a huge game this was for Arsenal. After losing with 10 men against Bournemouth and then drawing at home to Liverpool, the Gunners were, unlike last season, already in danger of losing out in the title race with Manchester City who had five points advantage before Mikel Arteta‘s men went north to face Newcastle, a place where they were defeated by a controversial Gordon goal last season. A brutal schedule of three away games in eight days (the Magpies, Inter Milan, Chelsea) has not started well for the Gunners: Newcastle – Arsenal 1-0. There was no controversy this time, no penalties, no offsides, no VAR and no ‘dark arts‘ from both coaches, it was just a simple, not so exciting but certainly lively play and one goal which (maybe) decided Arsenal‘s title race.City have an ‘easy‘ home game with Bournemouth and they can get an eight points advantage over Gunners, effectively leaving only Liverpool as the serious contender for the Premier League games. This match chowed that Arsenal has difficult time playing when the opponent is pressing really high and it also showed how much Marting Odegaard is missing. There was a big whole in the midfield and there is a feeling that if the Norwegian captain was there, the result would be different. The Gunners didn‘t create many chances but had three (two from Rice one from Merino) solid ones. Still, they failed to score at least once and kept a negative tradition of not being able to overturn the game against Newcastle after trailing first (last time they did it in 1986). The Magpies should be credited with a great game and the first Premier League win after five games against a strong opponent. Newcastle used their best (and) only chance of the game and left Arsenal trailing at half-time for the first time in 2024 and finished the job in the second half. The Gunners have also lost two out of their last three Premier League games at St James’ Park and only if Eddie Howe‘s team could play like this on their away games, they wouldn’t be at the eight position at the table.Anthony Gordon has played nine Premier League games vs. the ‘Big Six’ at St. James’ Park since the start of last season. He’s either scored or assisted in eight of them. 👀#NEWARS pic.twitter.com/5ZZNeLjFTm— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 2, 2024 Just as the Gunners started to dominate in possession and created their first half-chance through Saka (hit the side netting), Newcastle took the lead. It was a slow developing action from the home team where Longstaff got the ball in midfield and then passed it to Gordon who started the game as the right winger. The England international is not know for his great crosses, but this time he delivered a perfect one, and Isak went up between Gabriel and Saliba and it was 1-0. The best chance for the visitors came in the 27th minute when Merino suddenly got the ball during the scuffle in Newcastle‘s penalty area and took the shot from close range, but his fierce effort was blocked right on the line by Hall.FT: Newcastle 1-0 ArsenalArsenal’s only shot on target of the game came in the 27th minute. Newcastle were fantastic. 👏#NEWARS | @bet365 | #Ad pic.twitter.com/u4ZqrM6ZVZ— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 2, 2024 Newcastle continued it‘s game plan in the second half as well, and it looked even better as the Gunners didn‘t register a single shot until the 65th minute. It was only then, when Declan Rice came near the penalty area on a solo effort that Arsenal registered their first shot and the ball whistled near the right post. Even thou Arteta‘s team was forcing attacks down the left side, Tino Livramento managed to contain Martinelli so he was the first one to leave the field and was replaced by new Arsenal‘s teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri. Newcastle also didn‘t register much chances and it was the goal scorer Isak with the shot in the 64th minute that Raya saved who got something worth reporting about. Rice had another great opportunity near the injury time, but the ball again went near the post and the Gunners are now in deep trouble. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 10SaturdayNewcastle – Arsenal 1-0 (1-0)/Isak 12/18.00: (5.60) Bournemouth (3.90) Man.City (1.62)18.00: (2.35) Ipswich (3.50) Leicester (3.15)18.00: (1.45) Liverpool (4.50) Brighton (7.00)18.00: (2.20) Nott.Forest (3.50) West Ham (3.45)18.00: (2.60) Southampton (3.35) Everton (2.70)20.30: (2.60) Wolverhampton (3.30) Crystal Palace (2.75)Sunday 17.00: (1.95) Tottenham (3.85) Aston Villa (3.60)19.30: (2.70) Man.Utd. (3.40) Chelsea (2.60)***odds are subject to change***
