Arsenal’s aspirations for the Premier League title took a major blow as they fell to Newcastle United in a lackluster performance, losing the match 1-0.
This defeat gives leaders Manchester City a chance to extend their lead to eight points at the top of the table if they secure a win against Bournemouth later in the day.
The match, held at St James’ Park, was marked by an early goal from Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who found the net in the 12th minute.
Isak headed home a perfectly placed cross from Anthony Gordon, catching Arsenal’s defense off guard.
Despite enjoying a greater share of possession, Arsenal struggled to convert their control into scoring opportunities, managing only a single shot on target throughout the entire game.
Arsenal, under the management of Mikel Arteta, has now earned just one point from their last three matches, raising concerns about their competitiveness in the title race.
They had previously suffered a disappointing loss to Bournemouth and drawn 2-2 with Liverpool, highlighting a worrying trend in their form as they move deeper into the season.
The Gunners started the match with some promise, with Leandro Trossard having an early chance that went wide.
However, after conceding the goal, they were unable to regain their rhythm. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka had a close opportunity in the 18th minute, but his header went just wide of the mark.
Meanwhile, Newcastle defender Lewis Hall made a crucial block on a shot from Mikel Merino, keeping the home side in front.
As the match progressed, Arteta made the decision to keep the same lineup into the second half, which was met with immediate pressure from Newcastle.
Joe Willock nearly doubled the lead with a shot that was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
In an effort to turn the tide, Arteta introduced 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and Oleksandr Zinchenko shortly after the hour mark.
Despite their substitutions, Arsenal continued to struggle in front of goal. Isak threatened again with a shot that Raya managed to deflect, while Declan Rice came close with a shot that sailed wide as he pressed into the Newcastle box.
Arteta later brought on defender Ben White and forward Gabriel Jesus in a desperate attempt to secure an equalizer, but the Gunners failed to build any significant momentum.
In a dramatic turn during stoppage time, Arsenal had a golden opportunity to level the score, but Rice’s header from a Saka cross went just wide, sealing their fate in the match.
The absence of captain Martin Odegaard due to injury has certainly impacted the team’s creativity and leadership on the pitch.
With challenging fixtures on the horizon, including a Champions League clash against Inter Milan and a Premier League match against Chelsea, Arsenal faces an uphill battle to regain their form and push back into the title race.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s victory boosts them to eighth place in the Premier League standings, showcasing a strong performance after a recent winless streak.
