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Martin Odegaard scored his 15th goal of the seasonArsenal clawed Manchester City's lead at the Premier League summit back to one point after they came out on top in a thriller against Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Mikel Arteta's side, who have played one game more than the champions, responded superbly to the pressure exerted by Manchester City's victory over Leeds United to prevail in an action-packed, edgy encounter littered with chances on Tyneside.
Newcastle, attempting to strengthen their push for a place in the Champions League next season, started at lightning pace - Jacob Murphy hitting the post and having a penalty award overturned by VAR.
Arsenal, however, showed their strength and it was inspirational captain Martin Odegaard who followed up his double against Chelsea in midweek by drilling his 15th Premier League goal of the season past Newcastle keeper Nick Pope from 25 yards after 14 minutes.
What followed was a magnificent game full of opportunities in a frenzied atmosphere, Pope saving crucially from Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Odegaard before half-time. Martinelli also struck the bar after the break.
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale also produced vital stops from Joe Willock and Fabian Schar, with Alexander Isak heading against the post, before The Gunners broke clear to wrap up the three points - Schar turning Martinelli's cross into his own net in the 71st minute.
Arsenal show their strength
This was a huge examination of all the improvements Arsenal have made this season as they walked into the St James' Park hothouse, with expectations high for Newcastle United as they chase Champions League football.
The game began in a wall of sound with Newcastle intent on overpowering Arsenal in a frantic start that had the Gunners in retreat.
For all the premature talk of "chokers" when Arsenal went four league games without a win, they showed there are new reserves of character and resilience to go with all the natural talent they possess.
And no-one exemplifies it more than captain Odegaard, who continued his outstanding season with the crucial first goal, another one of those sweet strikes that have become his trademark.
Arsenal's big concern was that they might pay for their failure to take one of several gilt-edged opportunities in the first half, but they were able to close out this crucial win after Schar's own goal.
And Arsenal showed they have added another side to the game with their attempts to slow the game down to break up Newcastle's rhythm and momentum.
It enraged the home fans and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe's assistant Jason Tindall in particular, but it is a tactic the Magpies have used themselves this season when it has suited them.
Arsenal are still second favourites as they pursue their first title since 2003/2004 but they demonstrated again they are determined to take the race all the way.
More to follow.
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Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection
Newcastle United
Squad number22Player namePope
Squad number2Player nameTrippier
Squad number5Player nameSchär
Squad number4Player nameBotman
Squad number33Player nameBurn
Squad number7Player nameJoelinton
Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães
Squad number28Player nameWillock
Squad number23Player nameMurphy
Squad number9Player nameWilson
Squad number14Player nameIsak
Squad number8Player nameGordon
Squad number10Player nameSaint-Maximin
Squad number13Player nameTargett
Squad number24Player nameAlmirón
Squad number32Player nameAnderson
Arsenal
Squad number1Player nameRamsdale- Squad number4Player nameWhite
- Squad number15Player nameKiwior
- Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
- Squad number35Player nameZinchenko
- Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
- Squad number20Player nameJorginho
Squad number34Player nameXhaka- Squad number7Player nameSaka
- Squad number9Player nameGabriel Jesus
- Squad number11Player nameGabriel Martinelli
- Squad number3Player nameTierney
- Squad number5Player namePartey
- Squad number14Player nameNketiah
- Squad number19Player nameTrossard
Squad number24Player nameNelson
Line-ups
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Pope
- 2Trippier
- 5SchärBooked at 90mins
- 4Botman
- 33BurnBooked at 73minsSubstituted forTargettat 82'minutes
- 7JoelintonSubstituted forAndersonat 81'minutes
- 39Bruno Guimarães
- 28WillockSubstituted forSaint-Maximinat 78'minutes
- 23MurphySubstituted forAlmirónat 65'minutes
- 9WilsonSubstituted forGordonat 78'minutes
- 14Isak
Substitutes
- 1Dúbravka
- 3Dummett
- 8Gordon
- 10Saint-Maximin
- 12Lewis
- 13Targett
- 19Manquillo
- 24Almirón
- 32Anderson
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Ramsdale
- 4White
- 15Kiwior
- 6Gabriel
- 35ZinchenkoSubstituted forTierneyat 61'minutes
- 8ØdegaardSubstituted forParteyat 80'minutes
- 20Jorginho
- 34Xhaka
- 7SakaSubstituted forNelsonat 87'minutes
- 9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forNketiahat 87'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 11MartinelliSubstituted forTrossardat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Tierney
- 5Partey
- 10Smith Rowe
- 14Nketiah
- 16Holding
- 19Trossard
- 21Fábio Vieira
- 24Nelson
- 30Turner
Referee:Chris Kavanagh
Attendance:50,267
Live Text
Match ends, Newcastle United 0, Arsenal 2.
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 0, Arsenal 2.
Foul by Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United).
Thomas Partey (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card.
Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.
Hand ball by Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal).
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Ben White.
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Reiss Nelson.
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Aaron Ramsdale.
Attempt saved. Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt Targett.
Attempt missed. Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Elliot Anderson following a corner.
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Reiss Nelson.
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal).
Substitution, Arsenal. Reiss Nelson replaces Bukayo Saka.
Substitution, Arsenal. Eddie Nketiah replaces Gabriel Jesus.
Foul by Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United).
Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Newcastle United. Matt Targett replaces Dan Burn.
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