‘Cruel’ to judge Arsenal’s Champions League knockout return on last-gasp Porto defeat, Arteta says
Arsenal host Newcastle in the Premier League as the Gunners look to bounce back from midweek disappointment to claim a crucial win in the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten 1-0 by Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, losing to Galeno’s late winner, and now face another side who have caused them a fair amount of frustration in recent seasons. Eddie Howe’s visitors handed Arsenal their first Premier League defeat of the campaign in November in what was a fractious affair at St James’ Park, and also held the Gunners to a goalless draw at the Emirates last season.
But before their defeat in Portugal, Arsenal were flying and have won five in a row in the Premier League. With Liverpool not in action this weekend, Arteta’s side can go two points off the top of the table with a win but Newcastle will be looking to spoil the party against Arsenal once again. Howe’s side will have to improve defensively, however, with the Magpies conceding 18 goals in their last five in the Premier League.
Relive Arsenal vs Newcastle below:
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Arsenal tear Newcastle’s plan to pieces to claim the sweetest revenge
Kieran Trippier pointed at Fabian Schar. Fabian Schar pointed to Loris Karius. Loris Karius pointed to Tino Livramento. Everyone pointed at Sven Botman. Bruno Guimaraes kicked something in red, just for something to do. On the touchline, Eddie Howe stood with hands on hips. Over Howe’s shoulder, Jason Tindall stood with hands on hips, whispering in Howe’s ear. Newcastle’s plan was in pieces. Thrashed by Arsenal, this was no contest.
Yet Arsenal were outstanding. Mikel Arteta’s side took the hurt of Wednesday night’s defeat in Porto and the frustration of November’s defeat at St James’ Park to move two points off top with their sixth Premier League win in a row. Under the lights at the Emirates, Arsenal were intense and ferocious, their work and effort off the ball in pressing Newcastle into submission only matched by the quality and precision of their attacking play. Bukayo Saka’s weaving third after the hour-mark belatedly gave Arsenal some breathing space following an opening 45 minutes of utter domination.
It was clear just how much Arsenal enjoyed this; Arteta’s side didn’t just beat Newcastle, they destroyed them. In the evisceration, Martin Odegaard turned and roared after chasing Guimaraes into his own box and sending the Brazilian crashing to the turf as he blocked his clearance, such was Arsenal’s desire for the game to be played exclusively in the Newcastle half. Last season, when Newcastle possessed the league’s best defence, capable of arriving at the Emirates and shutting out the hosts, such a fixture may have suited them. But Newcaslte are not the same side – and the excuse of their injury crisis is wearing thin.
Read Jamie Braidwood’s full report from the Emirates:
Luke Baker24 February 2024 22:06
Kai Havertz reacts to Arsenal win
Speaking on TNT Sports, Kai Havertz said: “It was very important to win today. We had a tough game on Wednesday, we wanted to win today and I think we deserved it.
“I’ve known Jorginho a long time and it’s always nice to play with him. We know each other well, it makes life easy for me. He’s a world-class player.
“It’s nice to play here, the fans give us so much energy, they are so important for us and showed it again today. It gave us a big boost.”
Bukayo Saka added: “I’m happy with another goal and happy to win, most importantly. I’m working hard every day on the training ground and giving my best. I’ve got great teammates giving me good passes which helps!
“We’ve got a lot of quality going forward, it’s starting to click, we’ve got confidence and the chemistry is building.”
Luke Baker24 February 2024 22:04
FULL-TIME! Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle
All over as Arsenal rip Newcastle to shreds. Brilliant performance and they move just two points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
(EPA)
Luke Baker24 February 2024 21:55
OFF THE LINE! Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle
90+2 mins: Burn gets caught out on the touchline by Nelson but doesn’t give up and gets back to hook Smith Rowe’s shot off the line when it’s worked to him in the box. It fell to Smith Rowe and he hammered it goalwards, past Karius but Burn saved his team.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 21:52
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle
90 mins: Five minutes of added time to see us out in north London.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 21:49
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle
88 mins: Jorginho comes off to a standing ovation and Mohamed Elneny will come on for the final knockings. Jorginho has been sublime today.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 21:48
GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle (Joe Willock 84’)
Newcastle pull one back and it’s ex-Arsenal man Joe Willock with the finish. It’s actually a really nice goal from the Magpies
Harvey Barnes drives forward and has Arsenal retreating before slipping a reverse pass to Gordon who then finds Burn on the overlap down the left. The big man dinks in a cross, Willock rises and cranes his neck to power a looped header over Raya. Great finish and even the Arsenal fans applaud their academy graduate scoring against them.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 21:43
Arsenal 4-0 Newcastle
Here was that goal from Saka. A thing of beauty, although Livramento won’t want to watch it back.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 21:41
Arsenal 4-0 Newcastle
77 mins: Arsenal are the first team in Premier League history to score two goals in seven consecutive halves of football. They’ve had their scoring boots on over the past few games. They’re right in the title hunt,
Luke Baker24 February 2024 21:36
Arsenal 4-0 Newcastle
74 mins: But the corner goes straight into Raya’s hands. Arsenal try to counter but the referee can’t get out of the way as the ball is quickly thrown out. He apologises.
Triple Arsenal sub as Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson come on for Havertz, Saka and Odegaard
Luke Baker24 February 2024 21:34