ARSENAL slipped to a irritating defeat to Newcastle as their pursuit of a primary Premier League title in 20 years took an almighty dent.
Having watched Manchester Metropolis thump Bournemouth 6-1 earlier within the day, Mikel Arteta would have been itching to maintain tempo with three factors.
Kai Havertz someway escaped crimson after sparking a mass brawl with a horror sort outCredit score: Getty
Anthony Gordon’s controversial aim led to the Gunners’ first defeat of the seasonCredit score: Getty
However in a hot-tempered conflict – during which Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes inexplicably escaped crimson playing cards – the Gunners had been downed by an equally controversial aim.
The defeat leaves Arsenal in third, however may very well be overtaken by Liverpool and Aston Villa on Sunday – with Newcastle themselves now simply 4 factors adrift.
However how did Arteta’s XI fare on the day? Oscar Paul takes a glance…
David Raya – 4
A quiet night time for the Arsenal stopper till he missed Joe Willock’s cross for Newcastle’s winner.
Flapped at a easy sufficient ball, permitting Joelinton to muscle in on Gabriel on the again submit.
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Ben White – 5
May have achieved much more to stop Willock placing within the cross for the aim.
The appropriate-back put no strain on the midfielder, giving him free rein to whip the ball in in the direction of Joelinton.
Supplied little going ahead in his one centesimal Arsenal look and was hooked straight after Anthony Gordon’s opener.
William Saliba – 6
Concerned in a proper ding-dong with Callum Wilson, and the Frenchman proved as soon as once more how indispensable he’s.
Gained some massive headers when the Magpies had been in down the edges and might hardly be blamed for the controversial Newcastle winner.
One of many few Arsenal gamers to go away Tyneside with their repute unhurt.
Gabriel – 5
A stress-free night time for the Brazilian till he mad man-mountain Joelinton flying in the direction of him within the construct as much as the Newcastle aim.
The Brazilian and his team-mates had been livid no foal was given – and he might have some extent given Joelinton’s palms had been throughout his again.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – 5
Persistently popped up in midfield when Arsenal had the ball to maintain Newcastle guessing.
He largely saved the full of life Miguel Almiron quiet however didn’t have sufficient high quality going ahead.
Jorginho – 5
The Italian orchestrator was closely concerned as Arsenal bossed the Geordies early on in midfield.
Took a forearm to the top type Bruno Guimaraes and his affect waned as the sport’s depth obtained the higher of him.
Declan Rice was Arsenal’s finest participant in a subdued efficiency at St James’ ParkCredit score: Getty
Eddie Nketiah struggled to duplicate his hat-trick heroics of the earlier weeksCredit score: Getty
Declan Rice – 7
Led Arsenal ahead time and time once more in one other stellar exhibiting from the midfielder.
The Gunners’ finest participant, Rice relished the spiky midfield battle and snuffed out hazard all through with a number of key challenges and interceptions.
Kai Havertz – 6
Certainly one of his higher Arsenal video games however fortunate to flee a first-half crimson card for a wild, reckless lunge on Sean Longstaff.
The German was off the bottom and lucky to solely catch the Newcastle midfielder together with his trailing leg.
Picked up some nice positions early on however was quiet within the second half.
Bukayo Saka – 4
Clattered a few occasions by 6ft 8in Dan Burn and struggled to make any type of impression.
Ineffective, couldn’t get within the recreation, and might contemplate himself fortunate to not have been subbed as Arsenal pushed for an equaliser.
Eddie Nketiah – 4
Loads of hustle and bustle however by no means seemed near scoring.
Nameless a lot of the recreation earlier than being subbed with 11 minutes remaining.
Sky commentator Gary Neville mentioned: “Arsenal have to do some enterprise in January within the centre-forward place. They appear a bit brief within the massive video games.”
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
The Brazilian landed the primary shot on track in first-half harm time however fired straight at Nick Pope.
Drifted out and in of recreation and, together with Saka on the alternative flank, did nowhere close to sufficient.
Subs
Oleksandr Zinchenko (for White, 73mins) – Put in a few harmful balls as Arsenal looked for a late equaliser.
Leonardo Trossard (for Nketiah, 79 minutes) – Three horrible set-pieces went Arsenal actually wanted it on the dying.
Fabio Vieira (for Jorginho, 79mins) – Couldn’t affect the sport late on.