Newcastle edged out Arsenal with a narrow 1-0 win on Saturday at St. James’ Park, as Alexander Isak’s early header handed Eddie Howe’s squad a much-needed victory while hampering Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League title.
The result marked Newcastle’s first win in six league games and dealt a blow to Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who were provisionally left in third place with 18 points, behind Manchester City and Liverpool, both set to play later in the day.
With this victory, Newcastle moved up to eighth place, just three points behind Arsenal on the league table.
Isak’s decisive goal came in the 12th minute and marked his third league goal of the season.
The 25-year-old Swede rose to meet Anthony Gordon’s perfectly delivered cross from the right, timing his leap to head the ball past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and into the far corner.
Gordon’s assist showcased Newcastle’s tactical width, as they built the attack down the flank, creating space to set up Isak’s clinical finish.
The Magpies, whose win mirrored a similar result against Arsenal at St. James’ Park almost exactly a year ago, showed defensive grit throughout the match.
Their pressing game thwarted Arsenal’s efforts to find the back of the net, as Newcastle players constantly swarmed any red shirt that ventured near their penalty box.
Arsenal’s best opportunity to equalize came in the dying moments of the game, when Declan Rice connected with a cross and sent a header just wide of the post, leaving the Gunners unable to salvage a point.
