ARSENAL 1-0 NEWCASTLE: After falling behind Manchester City in the title race, Mikel Arteta's men returned to the top of the table courtesy of a stunning goal from Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze celebrates after scoring for Arsenal
Eberechi Eze scored a stunning goal to break the deadlock(Image: David price/Arsenal FC)
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Arsenal recorded a nervy 1-0 win over Newcastle to return to the Premier League summit - but their victory came at a price with injuries to Kai Havertz and matchwinner Eberechi Eze.
Eze broke the deadlock in stunning style after just nine minutes from an Arsenal set-piece with a twist. A short corner eventually led to the ball being ushered into the midfielder's path on the edge of the box, with Eze unleashing a perfect first time strike into the top corner.
Newcastle went close to equalising through Sandro Tonali, only for David Raya to thwart the rumoured Gunners transfer target.
The visitors were well in the game and Yoane Wissa spurned a golden opportunity to level with 10 minute left, blazing an exquisite lofted pass from Nick Woltemade well over the bar on the volley. But Arsenal saw the game out to clinch three vital points.
1) Arsenal respond to title setback
After leading the way for so long, question marks over Arsenal's character have been relentless in recent weeks. Sparked by the defeat to Bournemouth that opened the door for Manchester City a fortnight ago, those question marks intensified when Pep Guardiola's men followed that up with a victory over their title rivals last weekend.
Arsenal actually started Saturday evening's game behind City after they beat Burnley in midweek to move level on points. Arsenal needed to respond and that's exactly what they did here. Was this the most convincing of victories? Absolutely not. But at this stage of the season, results are king. This felt like a must-win. On that front, job done.
2) Set-piece switch pays dividends
A short corner led to Eberechi Eze's stunning goal
A short corner led to Eze's goal(Image: Mark Leech/Offside)
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It's common knowledge that Arsenal are the set-piece kings of the Premier League. But it was an astute switch against Newcastle that led to Eze's fine opener.
A short corner was worked to the England star, who finished with aplomb. It marked just the second time Arsenal have scored from a short corner this season - the previous opponents when they struck gold? Newcastle.
Arsenal had produced just six short corners in total across their previous 33 games. They produced three in the first half alone at Newcastle. The first was intercepted before it could reach Eze. The second time, he fired wide. But it was very much a case of third time's the charm for Eze and Arsenal.
3) Double injury blow sours mood
Kai Havertz suffered an injury in the first half
Kai Havertz suffered an injury in the first half(Image: Izzy Poles/AMA)
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Arsenal ended the day with three points and two new additions to the treatment room as injuries to Eze and Havertz soured proceedings.
Havertz, who has already endured an injury-plagued campaign, was replaced by Viktor Gyokeres just after the half hour mark, a major blow considering the German was again selected ahead of Gyokeres. And Eze followed suit earlier in the second half to take the gloss off the afternoon.
4) Newcastle concerns grow
While Arsenal are fighting to clinch their first title in over 20 years, Newcastle are entrenched in the bottom half of the table.
Things are looking bleak for the Magpies, who were enjoying Champions League football earlier this season. They are closer to the relegation zone than the top five after this, a game they more than held their own in and probably shaded.
But it's now one win in eight for Eddie Howe's side, with pressure growing on the Newcastle head coach.
5) Tonali's Gunners audition
Sandro Tonali playing against Arsenal
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal(Image: Glyn Kirk/AFP)
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With Newcastle looking unlikely to be playing in Europe next season, they will be vulnerable to losing some of their top stars in the summer, with Tonali top of the list.
The classy Italian midfielder has been strongly linked with Arsenal and they got the chance to scout him up close and personal here as he battled with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in the engine room.
Wissa spurned Newcastle's best chance but Tonali came closer than anyone in a black and white striped shirt to equalising, his shot from range being kept out barely by Raya after a quick adjustment in the first half.
When these two meet again, there is every chance he and Raya could be on the same team.
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