3,000 Geordies made the 280 mile trip on Tuesday to London as Arsenal entertained the Magpies in the first game of the new calendar year.
A win for either side this evening would be huge for not just Arsenal who look to move three points closer to their first Premier League title since the 2003/04 season, but for Newcastle too as Eddie Howe’s side emerge as title contenders too thanks to their incredible first half of the season.
Mikel Arteta named an unchanged side from their last game at Brighton whilst Eddie Howe made one change to the side that drew at Leeds, Callum Wilson returning to the starting eleven in the place of Chris Wood. Martin Dubravka returns to the subs bench after his “interesting” loan spell at Manchester United.
The hosts started the better between the sides during the opening ten minutes. Odegaard created the first chance of the game when Newcastle failed to clear their lines, luckily for the visitors the arsenal captain blazed his effort over. Pope had to react well just a couple of minutes later to deny Saka from close range. Newcastle finally got their first serious effort at goal with 16minutes played, Trippier’s corner found the head of Schar inside the penalty area but he couldn’t direct it properly towards the goal. Just moments before hand, Wilson hit a tame effort at goal from distance but Ramsdale easily gathered it up. The referee decided to turn the focus onto him for the next ten minutes or so as he couldn’t keep his cards in his pockets or the whistle out of his mouth for some inhumane free kick decisions. The hosts had the next chance in the 34th minute, Odegaard lofted free kick into the box but Gabriel couldn’t direct it towards Pope’s goal. Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the first half as it ended 0-0.
Arsenal nearly conceded only a couple of minutes into the second half when Ramsdale was caught dawdling on the ball by Joelinton, luckily for the hosts the attack didn’t come off after no one could get on the end of Almiron’s cross following some nice work by Trippier. Eddie Howe turned to Chris Wood and Jacob Murphy for some inspiration as neither side could find that creative spark. The referee even offered a free kick without giving out a yellow card to someone! It’s a new year miracle. Martinelli had a golden opportunity to put the hosts ahead with just over ten minutes to go with a free header from a corner but it whistled past Pope’s far post. Pope was called into action once more with just three minutes of normal time to play, Nketiah managed to turn his man and unleash a shot at goal but the former Burnley shot stopper saved well with his feet. As the Fourth Official raised his board up to announce the five minutes stoppage time you could hear groans from around the ground. To be honest I thought it would be a lot more with the amount of time the referee has wasted on calling pointless fouls and bookings. Arsenal had a penalty appeal waved away by VAR in the last moments of the game after the ball hits Murphy’s arm from Xhaka’s cross but it was never going to be given. That’s one thing that the officials got right tonight! After nearly seven minutes of extra time, the referee blows his whistle and the match finishes goalless.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: Man of the Match has to go to Andy Madley because his decision making has been comical. Ever since the first whistle he has not been in control of the game. Newcastle can be proud to come away with the match with a share of the points. They put on a gutsy and frenetic display against the league leaders who now go eight points clear of the top. Sven Botman has been an absolute tank at the back and you can see why Newcastle paid the price they did to snap him up. Nick Pope didn’t have much to do but when he was called into action he did his job and made some important saves. A brilliant resilient performance from Eddie Howe’s side who claim their 6th clean sheet in a row. What a time to be a Newcastle fan and part of Eddie Howe’s Black and White Army!
What’s Next? Arsenal make the trip to Oxford United on Monday 9th January as they do battle in the FA Cup 3rd Round. Newcastle United travel to Hillsborough on Saturday 7th January as they face Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup 3rd Round.
Arsenal Line Up: A Ramsdale, O Zinckenko, W Saliba, G Magalhaes, B White (74, T Tomoyasu), G Xhaka, M Odegaard ©, T Partey, E Nkektiah, G Martinelli, B Saka.
Arsenal Bench: M Turner, K Tierney, R Holding, T Tomiyasu, F Veira, A Sambi Lokonga, M Elneny, Marquinhos, N Butler-Oyedeji.
Newcastle United Line Up: N Pope, K Trippier ©, F Schar, S Botman, D Burn, S Longstaff, J Willock (86, A Saint-Maximin), B Guimaraes, Joelinton, C Wilson (67, C Wood), M Almiron (67, J Murphy).
Newcastle United Bench: M Dubravka, J Lascelles, J Lewis, M Ritchie, J Manquillo, A Saint-Maximin, J Murphy, E Anderson, C Wood.
Match Officials: Andy Madley (Referee), Lee Betts & Ian Hussin (Assistant’s), Jarred Gillet (Fourth Official), Stuart Attwell (VAR), Wade Smith (Assistant VAR).
Attendance: 60,319
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