Arsenal secured a nervy 1-0 victory over Newcastle United to reclaim the Premier League summit, but the triumph was overshadowed by injuries to Kai Havertz and matchwinner Eberechi Eze.
Eze's Stunning Strike Decides Contest
Eze broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion after just nine minutes. From an Arsenal set-piece, a short corner eventually found its way to the midfielder on the edge of the box, where he unleashed a perfect first-time strike into the top corner.
Newcastle came close to equalising through Sandro Tonali, but David Raya denied the rumoured Gunners target. Yoane Wissa also squandered a golden opportunity with ten minutes left, blazing an exquisite lofted pass from Nick Woltemade well over the bar on the volley. However, Arsenal held on to clinch three vital points.
1) Arsenal Respond to Title Setback
After leading the way for so long, questions over Arsenal's character have been relentless in recent weeks. A defeat to Bournemouth opened the door for Manchester City a fortnight ago, and those doubts intensified when Guardiola's men beat their title rivals last weekend. Arsenal actually started Saturday evening's game behind City after they beat Burnley in midweek to move level on points. Arsenal needed to respond, and they did exactly that. Was this the most convincing of victories? Absolutely not. But at this stage of the season, results are king. This felt like a must-win, and on that front, job done.
2) Set-Piece Switch Pays Dividends
It is common knowledge that Arsenal are the set-piece kings of the Premier League. But it was an astute switch against Newcastle that led to Eze's fine opener. A short corner was worked to the England star, who finished with aplomb. It marked just the second time Arsenal have scored from a short corner this season—the previous opponents when they struck gold? Newcastle. Arsenal had produced just six short corners in total across their previous 33 games. They produced three in the first half alone at Newcastle. The first was intercepted before it could reach Eze. The second time, he fired wide. But it was very much a case of third time's the charm for Eze and Arsenal.
3) Double Injury Blow Sours Mood
Arsenal ended the day with three points and two new additions to the treatment room as injuries to Eze and Havertz soured proceedings. Havertz, who has already endured an injury-plagued campaign, was replaced by Viktor Gyokeres just after the half-hour mark, a major blow considering the German was again selected ahead of Gyokeres. Eze followed suit earlier in the second half to take the gloss off the afternoon.
4) Newcastle Concerns Grow
While Arsenal are fighting to clinch their first title in over 20 years, Newcastle are entrenched in the bottom half of the table. Things are looking bleak for the Magpies, who were enjoying Champions League football earlier this season. They are closer to the relegation zone than the top five after this, a game they more than held their own in and probably shaded. But it is now one win in eight for Eddie Howe's side, with pressure growing on the Newcastle head coach.
5) Tonali's Gunners Audition
With Newcastle looking unlikely to be playing in Europe next season, they will be vulnerable to losing some of their top stars in the summer, with Tonali top of the list. The classy Italian midfielder has been strongly linked with Arsenal, and they got the chance to scout him up close and personal here as he battled with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in the engine room. Wissa spurned Newcastle's best chance, but Tonali came closer than anyone in a black and white striped shirt to equalising, his shot from range being kept out barely by Raya after a quick adjustment in the first half. When these two meet again, there is every chance he and Raya could be on the same team.
