Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-0 in a thrilling encounter at St James’ Park to go within a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City and keep their title hopes alive.
Newcastle started on the front foot and would have scored in the second minute had Jacob Murphy’s shot not hit the upright after a blistering attack play.
Arsenal slowly settled into the match and man-of-the-moment Martin Odegaard sent a powerful shot into the bottom corner that beat Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope and made its way to the back of the net.
Saka and Martinelli then had one on one chances with Nick Pope but the Newcastle goalkeeper saved both, as well as putting away Odegaard’s close shot to keep Newcastle in the game.
The Magpies also had their own chances they failed to convert, with Joe Willock coming the closest in the 27th minute but Aaron Ramsdale was equal to the challenge.
In the second half, both teams applied pressure with Arsenal looking to double their advantage and Newcastle looking for the equalizer but Arsenal got the reward when Fabian Schar tapped the ball from Martinelli’s cross into his own net in the 71st minute.
Newcastle tried but failed to break Arsenal’s defence to get something from this match.
This is Newcastle’s first defeat in 10 Premier League matches and Arsenal’s second successive win. Both teams stay third and second on the table respectively.
