The Gunners immediately went on the front foot, with Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Granit Xhaka all having attempts from promising positions inside the opening seven minutes. While Arsenal continued to apply pressure, the Magpies grew into the game and Kieran Trippier’s corner caused concern before Fabian Schär eventually missed the target with his header. The hosts carried on asserting themselves as the half-hour mark came and went, although Gabriel Magalhães’ header sailed agonisingly wide after the Brazilian had done well to meet Ødegaard’s free-kick delivery.
While the first half didn’t bring much goalmouth action, it did see a Newcastle side unbeaten in 12 PL matches stand toe-to-toe with an Arsenal outfit unbeaten in 10 in a fiercely competitive contest, with five yellow cards accompanied by the backdrop of a true big-game atmosphere. Joelinton had by far the best opportunity to silence the home support when Schär got a flick on Trippier’s corner moments before the break, eventually wasting it by heading wide at the back post.
Aaron Ramsdale had a real scare early in the second period when Joelinton blocked his attempted clearance, but Newcastle weren’t decisive enough to capitalise and Callum Wilson couldn’t get a convincing touch on Miguel Almiron’s cross moments later. The Magpies continued to make things difficult for their hosts, as indicated by Gabriel Martinelli hitting a speculative attempt shortly after the hour mark, although the Brazilian was left even more frustrated when his flicked header across goal sailed the wrong side of Nick Pope’s post.
Eddie Nketiah had to wait until the 88th minute for a big chance and was halted by Pope’s outstretched foot when it finally arrived, before seeing a header comfortably gathered soon after, as Newcastle dug deep to continue the PL’s longest current unbeaten streak while securing their sixth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions. Meanwhile, Arsenal failed to win a PL match at home for the first time this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
