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.
Arsenal have now gone three Premier League games without a win…
Testing times for the Gunners 😔 pic.twitter.com/4v06Y0ojsO
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 2, 2024
The opening was high-tempo and frantic but with few moments of quality in either box.
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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.
What a cross from Gordon and what a header from Isak! 👏
Newcastle take the lead against Arsenal!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK 📺 pic.twitter.com/GZ5FUdrusQ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 2, 2024
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.
