ᑕ❶ᑐ Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle: Mikel Arteta’s fury shows the Magpies should be taken seriously
Seeing Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fuming was all the confirmation that Newcastle United are now a Premier League force to be taken very seriously.
Arteta was technically superior all night, as it became clear that Arsenal would not be able to match the Magpies with the slick, flashy style that has been their trademark this season. Tuesday evening.
The Gunners manager lost control in the dying minutes when he tripped fourth official Jarred Gillett after just five minutes, then confronted fellow Newcastle player Eddie Howe when a challenge for handball on Jacob Murphy was ignored.
- Match report: Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
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There was a moment of anger at Arsenal and Arteta when what appeared to be a clear penalty was mysteriously ignored after Newcastle defender Dan Burn brought down Gabriel, but there was plenty on a night when clear headlines and calm instructions were needed. burning emotion by the head of the house.
Newcastle made it their mission to get Arsenal out of their free-flowing approach and into a stale encounter, and that mission was accomplished.
It was an eye-opener for the game, although Howe’s side missed their best chance of the game as Joelinton headed in at the far post with a goal at his mercy halfway through the first break.
It was a huge disappointment for Arteta and Arsenal, although when tempers cool, they can still reflect on a perfect season with a game in hand on Manchester City, eight points clear.
And perhaps it is a sign of rising expectations and standards at Arsenal that this result was met with such disappointment by the fans who have supported Arteta’s side so much.
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Newcastle, on the other hand, scored a point with their fans at the final whistle – Howe seemed more pleased than his troubled counterpart as the visitors displayed the streak of steel that has quickly become their calling card.
Howe’s Newcastle have set a club record six consecutive clean sheets and have conceded just two goals in their last eleven games in all competitions – winning both matches.
It was easy to see why when they scored just 11 goals in 18 league games, the filthiest defense in the division and Newcastle’s ‘they won’t go through’ approach angered Arsenal fans who were furious at what they were seeing. an overly enthusiastic approach.
It is this defensive core that means Newcastle must be taken seriously in the top four conversation as they have stopped Arsenal in a way that has proved impossible for many teams this season.
And it is a sign of the work Howe is doing, helped of course by the millions provided by Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners, 12 months ago they were second from bottom in the Premier League and watching the opposite relegation battle.
Now they are well-drilled, uncompromising and also carry a threat and confidence that will stand them in good stead when the pressure points of the season are reached.
Already optimistic Newcastle fans were excited by the final whistle after it provided further evidence of their side’s upward trajectory.
It might not have been pretty – in fact, it was pretty ugly when it needed to be – but there was a unity of purpose about them that suggests they should not be taken lightly in the race for Champions League places next season.
As for Arsenal, a disappointing night shouldn’t be too disappointing. The Gunners have been exceptional this season and there will always be bumps along the way. He was one of them.
Arsenal could still only be thwarted by Eddie Nketiah’s legs for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, but Manchester United’s record of 14 wins, two draws and just one defeat is a pretty impressive statistic.
Newcastle were the happiest team of the night. They are now firmly in the top four, and rightly so.
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