Newcastle United inflicted a primary Premier League defeat of the season on Arsenal as the house crew got here out on prime in a fiery contest at St James’ Park.
Antony Gordon scored the winner from contained in the six-yard field halfway by way of the second half — however solely after a prolonged VAR examine lastly confirmed there was no cause to disallow it.
For Arsenal this was a disappointing consequence to observe on from their midweek Carabao Cup exit in opposition to West Ham United. However for Newcastle it was one other fantastic consequence so as to add to their dismantling of Manchester United 4 days earlier and will likely be a lift as they put together to face Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League subsequent week.
Chris Waugh, James McNicholas and Jacob Whitehead analyse the principle speaking factors.
A successful purpose – after triple VAR examine
That is the issue with VAR — followers inside the bottom merely wouldn’t have a clue what’s going on, notably when three separate checks are introduced one after the opposite for one incident. It virtually felt right here just like the officers have been searching for a cause to disallow the purpose.
Joelinton burst by way of the Arsenal defence, seemed to be fouled by Takehiro Tomiyasu, however moved the ball on to Jacob Murphy, whose low cross-shot fizzed in direction of the far nook flag. Joe Willock sprinted to maintain it in, crossed to the again put up, Joelinton nodded the ball again throughout, and Gordon prodded into an empty internet.
First, VAR checked to see if the ball stayed in play earlier than being managed by Willock. The proof appeared inconclusive. Then they regarded to see if Joelinton, who nudged Gabriel within the again earlier than heading it, had fouled the Arsenal defender. Lastly, a potential offside offence in opposition to Gordon, given David Raya was forward of the ball and Gabriel was the one defender within the six-yard field.
Anyway, after round a four-minute delay, the purpose was lastly awarded. The suitable conclusion was reached, however the course of was each baffling and irritating, notably for these inside the bottom.
Chris Waugh
Havertz deal with ignites an already feisty affair
The precise Battle Hill lies 4 miles east of St James’ Park, within the suburb of Wallsend, however on Saturday night its spirit wandered over to the cathedral on the hill above the Tyne.
There was present rancour between these groups, particularly the erosion of Arsenal’s Champions League hopes in 2021-22, the Londoners’ revenge in a terse, bitty return to St James’ Park final season.
This version was a match fought in midfield. Each side have been circumspect of their excessive urgent early on, as an alternative pouncing on misplaced passes and clumsy touches. Bruno Guimaraes, surrounded by 4 purple shirts, Joelinton upended twice as he drove ahead, Declan Rice roughly tugged again at a nook. No foul, on any event, and the tone was set.
On the touchline, Mikel Arteta and Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall have been jawing at one another like they’d change into caught up in a late-night kebab store altercation. The fourth official intervened, and shortly after, referee Stuart Attwell adopted swimsuit on the pitch.
Dan Burn prevented a card for 2 fouls on Bukayo Saka, having already broken his personal again through the use of the Arsenal winger like a pole vault, and touchdown awkwardly.
After 35 minutes, Kai Havertz launched himself late and recklessly into Sean Longstaff and was bayed virtually into the stands by the Newcastle gamers’ fury.
Kai Havertz was on the centre of one of many recreation’s most contentious moments (Photograph: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Photos)
Havertz has historical past in opposition to Newcastle — leaving one on Burn whereas taking part in for Chelsea in April 2022, main to a different brawl. Once more, like that point, there was no purple card, solely a yellow — and in their very own indignation, Eddie Howe’s aspect picked up three cautions of their very own. Longstaff, Anthony Gordon, and Fabian Schar all had their names famous — the primary time a crew has had three gamers booked for dissent in a single half since 2016.
Hackles up, and for Guimaraes, blood up as effectively. If catching Havertz together with his elbow may have been unintended, the Brazilian rashly booting a ball at his opponent positively wasn’t.
Jacob Whitehead
Arsenal cope effectively with Newcastle’s physicality
Newcastle are famend for his or her bodily depth, and there was a time when an Arsenal crew — particularly one lacking key personnel comparable to Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus — may need struggled to deal with that.
However this Arsenal are higher geared up to take care of that problem and physicality was not their undoing right here. Two gamers have been key to that a part of their recreation at St James’ Park: William Saliba and Declan Rice. They demonstrated some spectacular feats of athleticism — Rice’s charging run midway by way of the primary half; Saliba’s leap to move the ball away from the ready Callum Wilson.
William Saliba was an imposing presence on the again for Arsenal (Photograph: OLI SCARFF/AFP through Getty Photos)
It’s not nearly energy — Arsenal additionally used their technical high quality to deal with Newcastle’s physicality. Howe’s males regarded to press excessive up the pitch and regain possession within the ultimate third, however Saliba by no means regarded ruffled. His means to shimmy away from stress supplied Arsenal an escape route, and helped them acquire a foothold within the recreation, even when it was not sufficient in the long run.
James McNicholas
Is Arsenal’s stable construction affecting their creativity?
Whereas Arsenal’s defending within the midweek Carabao Cup defeat in opposition to West Ham actually left rather a lot to be desired, Arteta appeared simply as annoyed with the crew’s incapacity to create possibilities. That theme continued at St James’ Park. Arsenal first examined Nick Pope in stoppage time on the finish of the primary half.
Arsenal have been with out Martin Odegaard and Jesus right here, two of their most vital attacking gamers. The absence of Jesus is especially damaging. Arsenal are a extremely structured, disciplined crew this season — the Brazilian brings a component of chaos and unpredictability that Eddie Nketiah is just not in a position to match.
Arteta and the Arsenal followers may have grievances with the officers over the purpose they conceded. They’ll additionally nevertheless have considerations over their very own attacking points. Arsenal do look a extra stable outfit this season — however at what price?
James McNicholas
Gordon exhibits versatility and talent to make the distinction
Gordon wanted three possibilities, however obtained his second.
Within the first half, a back-post cross arced in direction of him, having back-pedalled away from Tomiyasu into area. He went instinctively together with his proper foot, slightly than letting it run throughout his physique onto his left. The ball dribbled harmlessly away.
Early within the second interval, he was slipped by way of on the left fringe of the penalty space. This time, he took too lengthy — narrowing the angle slightly than flashing it throughout purpose first time.
In between, he drifted off his left wing into central areas, pulling Arsenal defenders with him like they have been marionettes. For all that promise, the primary hour adopted the monitor of his profession earlier than this season — undoubted potential and hazard, however little finish product.
However with Wilson’s minutes being managed amidst a brutal run of fixtures, and with Alexander Isak out, Gordon noticed his function tweaked. Howe moved him to striker — the place he began at Outdated Trafford on Wednesday and the place he gained participant of the match for England Below-21s on the Euros in the course of the summer time.
He brings a lot to the function — these stretching runs creating area in behind for Sean Longstaff and substitute Willock to cost into — and although he isn’t a specialist striker, can do a reasonably convincing imitation.
After 64 minutes, floating in a pocket of area after Willock saved the ball in, Gordon poached Joelinton’s scraps, beating Raya to smash dwelling. After three VAR checks, and three possibilities, he had his second.
Jacob Whitehead
(Prime photograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty Photos)
