AFTER beating Manchester Metropolis at house, Arsenal regarded as if they may very well be the true deal this season.
But lower than a month later and Mikel Arteta’s crew, following their first Premier League defeat of the season, are as soon as once more three factors behind the champions.
Anthony Gordon’s controversial strike secured Newcastle a 1-0 win over ArsenalCredit score: EPA
A heated recreation at St James’ Park noticed tempers flare on either sideCredit score: AFP
Arteta and his Arsenal crew suffered a actuality examine on a horrible night time up right here within the north-east, each when it comes to the climate and the sport itself which was a bruising, bad-tempered and most of all, hugely-controversial scrap.
Equally, it illustrated that Newcastle, after their barely dodgy begin, ought to as soon as once more be preventing for a Champions League place this season.
Eddie Howe’s facet, who destroyed Manchester United 3-0 within the Carabao Cup midweek, needed to put in a very totally different sort of efficiency, one brimming with guts and dedication, although they wanted an enormous slice of luck.
In a season when VAR has taken centre stage on too many events, we had the mind-boggling state of affairs when Anthony Gordon’s sixty fourth minute winner wanted three separate VAR checks.
However Stockley Park dominated that Joe Willock saved the ball in, that Joelinton didn’t foul Arsenal defender Gabriel and Gordon was not offside.
Newcastle have been lucky as a result of the ball did look to be out of play when Willock crossed for the aim.
Additionally, on an evening of crushing tackles and flying elbows, Bruno Guimaraes ought to have been despatched off.
He was fortunate to remain on the pitch for shoving his arm into the again of Jorginho within the first half but extremely, after a VAR examine, he didn’t even get a warning.
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Kai Havertz sparked a mass brawl with a reckless sort out on Sean Longstaff
Newcastle followers and gamers have been left incensed as Havertz escaped a pink cardCredit score: Getty
Had he acquired a yellow card, then his warning close to the tip of the sport – when he pushed the face of Fabio Vieira – would have resulted in a sending off.
Equally, this hard-fought win was an enormous enhance for Toon boss Howe who has additionally been hit with accidents.
However now, they have to raise themselves for an enormous recreation away to Dortmund on Tuesday however actually, they can not permit themselves to be wherever close to as flat as they have been for a lot of this match.
Although it was their first loss within the league, it’s apparent that Arteta should transfer into the switch market this January.
Regardless of scoring a hat-trick within the 5-0 win over Sheffield United, Eddie Nketiah as soon as once more struggled and it’s apparent that Arsenal should signal Ivan Toney.
Newcastle ended up having three gamers booked for dissentCredit score: Reuters
Bruno Guimaraes was fortunate to keep away from a pink card for an elbow on Jorginho
Additionally, the Arsenal supervisor’s determination to stay with David Raya in aim appears flawed because the Spaniard was at fault for the winner.
The one attention-grabbing moments of the primary half got here when it comes to each units of gamers and officers going for one another.
Technical space terriers Jason Tindall and Mikel Arteta misplaced their cool when Kai Havertz flung himself to the bottom after believing he was shoved within the face by Guimareas, one thing which didn’t impress Tindall, Howe’s No2.
But about 15 gamers then piled into one another when Havertz delivered a late problem on Sean Longstaff.
Regardless of the Newcastle gamers demanding a pink card, Attwell acquired the choice proper and it was solely a yellow however the refl then, extremely, booked Antony Gordon, Longstaff and Fabian Schar for complaining,
Gordon bagged what proved to be the one aim of the sport within the sixty fourth minuteCredit score: Getty
The ball appeared to exit of play however was ultimately cleared by VAR
But the luckiest participant on the pitch was Guimaraes who prevented a dismissal after shoving his forearm into the again of Jorginho’s head.
Extremely, the primary shot on course got here by Martinelli in first half stoppage time however it was a straightforward save for Nick Pope.
The truth is, neither facet did significantly better within the second half till Howe made his subs simply after the hour with Willock and Murphy being launched for the tiring Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson.
And Howe couldn’t have anticipated that inside a minute, each of his subs would play an element within the winner, although it was a whole mess.
Murphy’s shot flashed throughout the aim and the ball was saved in play by Willock and his cross was handled terribly by flapping Arsenal keeper Raya.
Officers then spent over 4 minutes checking for a foul and offside
The farcical scenes resulted within the aim standing for Toon
Joelinton and Gabriel each went for the ball and it fell completely for Gordon to stab the ball over the road from a yard out.
Arsenal’s gamers have been satisfied the aim could be disallowed as the house crowd quickly went silent after fearing the worst.
However after three separate checks totalling 4 minutes and 6 seconds the aim was awarded. VAR photos couldn’t see for certain whether or not the ball was out or if Joelinton additionally dealt with whereas working into Gabriel.
Within the closing 10 minutes, it was Newcastle’s defence who stepped up. They gave every part to carry off an Arsenal facet who pushed for a leveller however didn’t look as if they actually believed it was attainable.
Whereas there isn’t a doubt that Arteta’s facet will as soon as once more problem this season, the issue is they’re now taking part in beneath a little bit of strain – and it’s beginning to present.