Arsenal v Newcastle LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League as Saka scores in big Gunners win
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle: The sublime Gunners tore the Magpies apart to close the gap to Liverpool at the top to just two points
Arsenal doled out another devastating Premier League defeat as they cruised past Newcastle to move two points off the top of the table. Having thrashed West Ham and Burnley away from home, the Gunners returned to the Emirates Stadium where they easily dispatched of Eddie Howe’s side, winning 4-1 in Saturday’s late kick-off.
A Sven Botman own goal set them on their way before goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior rounded off another fine display from Mikel Arteta’s men, although the returning Joe Willock’s late header ruined another clean sheet.
The win, coming on the back of a galling late loss in their Champions League last-16 clash with Porto on Wednesday, moves them to within two points of leaders Liverpool and just a point shy of Manchester City in second place.
Their recent run of free-scoring performances, winning their last three games at an aggregate of 15-1, also means Arsenal boast the best goal difference in the division.
Relive Arsenal vs Newcastle below:
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
8 mins: More bright play from Arsenal and this is a half-chance for Saka. Livramento loses track of him and Saka is fed a ball in behind. He can’t quite get it out of his feet properly and the shot is weak. Karius dives to his right but it’s a simple save.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
6 mins: Arsenal looking really tidy so far. Some proper intent in their attacking patterns.
But now they have a first yellow card of the evening. Odegaard lunges at a sprinting Almiron and goes into the book.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
1 mins: Frantic start. Arsenal charge straight forward and win a corner. Then a second corner and it’s pumped into the six-yard box, White goes for it. Comes out to the edge of the area, laid off to Saka and his shot flies over the bar.
Immediate intent from the Gunners
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
And we’re underway in north London. Arsenal trying to move two points behind Liverpool at the top of the league
Arsenal vs Newcastle latest updates
Big support and big energy is what Mikel Arteta is expecting
Arsenal vs Newcastle latest updates
Declan Rice has given his pre-match thoughts to the TNT Sports team.
Arsenal vs Newcastle line-ups
A reminder of the team news as kick-off comes ever closer. Loris Karius in goal for Newcastle, Tino Livramento preferred to Dan Burn at left-back and Alexander Isak up top.
Jorginho comes into Arsenal’s midfield and it means Kai Havertz is up front - fair to say a lot of Gunners fans don’t love him playing there... Gabriel Jesus fit enough to return to the bench
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Newcastle XI: Karius; Trippier, Schaar, Botman, Livramento; Guimaraes, Miley, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Eddie Howe believes there is “mutual respect” between Arsenal and Newcastle and denies there is bad blood between the clubs following on from recent clashes.
“Mikel is a very passionate guy, he will defend his team,” Howe said. “I am the same, I will defend my team. I like to think there is a lot of mutual respect between us both.”
Manchester City just about manage to hang on at Bournemouth to close the gap to leaders Liverpool to just one point.
Phil Foden’s goal was the difference on the south coast, but the hosts dominated the closing stages and an equaliser would have been deserved...
If Arsenal match their result tonight and beat Newcastle, the top three would be separated by just two points...
Some title race.
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
After visibly celebrating a block he thought had secured a draw, Mikel Arteta was in a notably different mood after a late 1-0 defeat. He seemed quite angry in the Dragao press room. Whether that was with his team or the referee was hard to say, since he had critical words about both.
One line still stood out in a curt press conference.
“We really dominated the game but we lacked purpose.”
His great predecessor used to have another phrase for this, as Arsene Wenger would talk about “sterile domination”. There was a little more going on here, though, which was why so little happened on the pitch. Arsenal just never hurt Porto or even looked like hurting Porto.
It was more than “purpose”. It was focus, or maybe an urgency. It was also the first big match in a long time when Arsenal were expected to win – and they didn’t.
Latest read from The Independent’s chief football writer, Miguel Delaney
Here’s how Arsenal can find their ‘purpose’ after harrowing Porto defeat
Mikel Arteta was left frustrated as Arsenal ‘lacked purpose’ and slipped to a 1-0 loss in the Champions League last 16 first leg but they must find answers to avoid an early exit
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