Arsenal has up the pressure on Manchester City in the Premier League race by defeating Newcastle 2-0.
Arsenal has proven itself again as a formidable force against Manchester City which defeated Leeds 2-1 on Saturday, with Martin Ødegaard’s long-range strike and Fabian Schär’s own goal.
Though both teams could have easily scored more over the course of the fast-paced, match, the result saw the Gunners move a point behind Manchester City having played one game more than the defending champion.
“I think we showed something special today, to come here and win is not easy,” Ødegaard, who scored twice in a 3-1 win against Chelsea on Tuesday, told Sky Sports.
“The way we did it as well – we had to be very smart, we had to be a bit ugly at times. I think this is a big step for us, a young team coming here and doing all the things we did. It shows we’ve come a long way.”
Sunday’s game started in a frenzy with Jacob Murphy hitting the post for Newcastle in the second minute before the home side also had a penalty – initially awarded for handball against Jakub Kiwior – ruled out after the outcome of the VAR.
However, despite Newcastle’s good start, Arsenal took the lead through Ødegaard’s brilliant shot from outside the box – his 15th league goal of the season.
Both teams had chances later in the first half – Arsenal when Gabriel Martinelli and then Bukayo Saka were denied by Nick Pope and Newcastle when Joe Willock forced a good save from Aaron Ramsdale.
The two goalkeepers did a good job throughout the match, notably when Pope used his feet to stop Ødegaard getting a second right at the end of the first half and also when Schär’s close-range header was palmed away by Ramsdale.
Martinelli nearly extended Arsenal’s lead when he hit the bar before playing a crucial role as his side did go 2-0 ahead, driving into the Newcastle box before seeing his cross deflected in by Schär’s attempted interception.
After that own goal, Arsenal played out the remaining time of the match more comfortably.
Mikel Arteta’s side has another tough test against Brighton on Sunday before finishing the season with games against Nottingham Forest and Wolves – all of which Arsenal realistically has to win in order to boost its slim chances of overtaking City at the top of the table.
“The desire to keep digging, keep believing – that reward is so big,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “Today, we had to do it here and we did everything we had to do to win the game.”
