- NEWCASTLE 1-2 ARSENAL : Woltemade 34’ – Merino 84’ Gabriel 90+6
It was a dangerous weekend for the Premier League heavyweights. After Liverpool and Chelsea both stumbled, would Arsenal suffer the same fate? It looked very possible as the Gunners were rattled at home by Newcastle, but in the end their heart and determination overcame the Magpies’ intensity.
St. James’ Park has traditionally been a nightmare for Arsenal, as shown by their last two visits to the Magpies’ intimidating ground. The energy of the stadium always seems to lift the home side, fueling their aggressive pressing game. Yet Arsenal managed to assert their control. With Eberechi Eze pulling the strings in midfield, the Gunners dominated possession and carved out chances. Newcastle, meanwhile, were forced to rely on counterattacks to threaten.
After just 14 minutes, the first controversy arrived when Arsenal were awarded a penalty. Initially it looked justified, but after a VAR review, the referee overturned the decision. To make matters worse for the visitors, Newcastle struck shortly after through the towering Nick Woltemade. By halftime, Arsenal had reason to feel hard done by.
But the Gunners came out in the second half with greater bite, even as Newcastle’s counterattacks remained dangerous. Anthony Gordon and Woltemade both troubled the Arsenal defense but failed to convert their opportunities. And against Arsenal, missed chances are costly. True to their reputation for late drama, the Gunners turned the game around in the closing stages. Mikel Merino and Gabriel both struck from corners, Arsenal’s biggest weapon, to snatch victory.
This was a win that could prove pivotal in Arsenal’s season.