Search
Close this search box.

Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal: Isak nets winner as lethargic Gunners stumble again

Arsenal produced a poor performance and deservedly lost against Newcastle

X
Facebook
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Telegram
Isak

Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge suffered another setback after they went down to a tame defeat at Newcastle.

The Gunners are now without a win in three league outings and could fall eight points behind defending champions Manchester City if they can win at Bournemouth this afternoon.

Alexander Isak scored the only goal with a towering first-half header and the hosts held on with relative ease as Arsenal held the bulk of possession but did little with it, creating just one shot on target.

The opening was high-tempo and frantic but with few moments of quality in either box.

Arsenal defence exposed

That changed, however, in the 12th minute when Anthony Gordon popped up on the right wing and his inswinging cross was met by Isak, who had found space in between Gabriel and William Saliba, and he powered a header past David Raya.

It was a familiar tale for Arsenal, who have conceded the opening goal in three of their last four Premier League games.

Gordon was proving a menace for Arsenal’s defence and another teasing delivery only just failed to pick out the onrushing Joelinton.

It took Arsenal 25 minutes to carve out anything of note at the other end, Bukayo Saka whipping in a dangerous centre that was well defended by Fabian Schar.

From the resulting corner, the Gunners almost netted the equaliser. Newcastle failed to clear and, in the resulting scramble, Mikel Merino’s goalbound shot hit Lewis Hall on the line before the hosts smuggled the ball clear.

Arsenal offer little

The travelling Arsenal contingent were probably expecting a strong response from their side at the start of the second period but it never materialised and it was Newcastle who looked to carry the greater threat.

Almost straight from the kick-off, Gordon slipped in Joe Willock but he could only place a tame shot at Raya.

Willock came close again after 58 minutes with a rising shot that flashed over Raya’s bar.

Arteta had seen enough and introduced 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri in the hope he could inspire his lethargic side.

Nwaneri did make an instant impact but it almost resulted in a Newcastle goal, the youngster’s tackle seeing the ball at the feet of Isak and his shot was palmed clear by Raya.

Rice comes close

Nick Pope had spent much of the afternoon watching on but he had to scramble across his line after 64 minutes with Declan Rice’s low shot flashing wide of the right-hand upright.

Leandro Trossard could not convert a Rice corner after 68 minutes as Arsenal continued to make minimal inroads.

Indeed, it was Newcastle who came closest in the final five minutes with Joelinton sending a header straight at Raya.

X
Facebook
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Telegram
Picture of Jon Fisher

Jon Fisher

Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

101GreatGoals.com