Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal: Arsenal won the difficult away match against Newcastle United thanks to Martin Ødegaard’s great kicking technique. In a spectacular game with many chances for both teams, the 24-year-old captain of the Londoners again showed his great class.
Man City is really not rid of Arsenal yet because of Ødegaard
Was Jakub Kiwior’s hands punishable or not? The situation in the eighth minute was one of many high-profile moments in the first half. The Polish Arsenal defender hit the ball with his arm as Bruno Guimarães fired at The Gunners’ goal. Referee Chris Kavanagh initially awarded a penalty kick, but came back on that decision after seeing the images.
Arsenal therefore escaped at that moment, as it did a few times more often in the first half. Newcastle pushed Mikel Arteta’s team to the limit. Aaron Ramsdale was tested a number of times and reacted strongly to a chance for Callum Wilson, among other things. In the second minute, the goalkeeper of the title candidate was almost beaten. Jacob Murphy had hit the post.
In the footsteps of Fàbregas
Arsenal could count on Ødegaard in the hunt for goals. The Norwegian had already scored twice on Tuesday in the 3-1 derby against Chelsea and struck again in Newcastle in the fourteenth minute with his golden left. The playmaker was played 25 meters from the enemy goal and put the ball just as well in front of his left, before beating Nick Pope with a hard and low shot in the short corner: 0-1. It was already his fifteenth goal of the season in the Premier League. Cesc Fabregas was the last Arsenal midfielder to score 15 goals in a Premier League season (2009/10).
The game remained extremely entertaining after the break. Alexander Isak was close to the equalizer on behalf of Newcastle. His header from a Murphy cross hit the post. On the other hand, Gabriel Martinelli hit the aluminum with a curled shot. The Brazilian left winger was unlucky with that attempt, but did lead the 0-2 twenty minutes before the end. In an individual action in the penalty area, the winger went well around the outside, after which he saw the ball end up in the goal via Newcastle defender Fabian Schär.
The Magpies launched a final offensive, but that was in vain. The addition of wingers Anthony Gordon and Allan Saint-Maximin to the home team did not falter Arsenal anymore. England’s number two won for the second time in a row. Arsenal have thus had their backs after a run with no win in four games, a run that Manchester City took advantage of to take over the lead. Arsenal are now one point behind The Citizens. Important to underline: the leader from Manchester has played a game less.
