Newcastle player Alexander Isak’s goal against Arsenal on Saturday. (AP news)
Contenders Arsenal take a blow to their challenge for the Premier League title on Saturday as they lose to Newcastle at St James Park. Alexander Isak’s 12th-minute goal ended as the difference between the two sides.
Isak netted his third league goal of the season in the 12th minute after Newcastle worked the ball out wide to Anthony Gordon who then whipped in a pinpoint cross from the right that the 25-year-old Swede leapt to head into the far corner past David Raya.
The Magpies, who beat Arsenal by the same score nearly a year to the day last season at St. James’ Park, did well to keep the visitors off the scoresheet, swarming them every time they got near the penalty area. Declan Rice headed a cross just wide of the net in injury time in Arsenal’s best chance of the day.
GEORDIES 🔊🔊 pic.twitter.com/AA4ChAoG8H
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 2, 2024
It was a big contrast from Newcastle’s winning goal in the same fixture last season, when Gordon bundled home a late winner that stood after a triple VAR check — leaving Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta furious and calling the decision “an absolute disgrace.”
Arteta can have no complaints about this defeat, though, as Arsenal rarely threatened going forward and looked short of creativity in the absence of the injured Martin Odegaard.
This is the second loss for Arsenal in 10 games this season. They are third in the table (18 points) with Liverpool (22 points) and Manchester City (23 points) ahead of them with a game in hand.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 2, 2024
Liverpool will face Brighton Hove and Albion later in the day meanwhile defending champions Manchester City will lock horns with AFC Bournemouth.
(With agency imputs)
