Premier League leaders Arsenal dropped factors at house for the primary time this season as they had been held to a goalless draw by high-flying Newcastle United on the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Mike Arteta’s aspect had the higher of the alternatives, most coming within the opening levels, however Newcastle confirmed why they’ve one of the best defensive report within the division this season to earn their level.
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Arsenal, who had received all seven of their earlier Premier League house video games this season, missed the possibility to increase their lead over Manchester Metropolis on the high to 10 factors. Pep Guardiola’s champions will now have the ability to reduce the hole again to 5 factors once they go to Chelsea on Thursday.
With the draw, Newcastle stay third, 9 factors behind Arsenal however having performed a recreation extra.
Arsenal made a lightning begin to the match, when it appeared they may overwhelm their guests from the north east. The hosts had 5 pictures at Nick Pope‘s objective within the first seven minutes of the competition.
Granit Xhaka had two of these, first seeing an effort blocked by the Newcastle defence earlier than capturing broad into the aspect netting from a decent angle. Captain Martin Odegaard additionally put a volley excessive over the crossbar whereas Bukayo Saka was the one one to pressure Pope into motion after beating two defenders and chopping into the field down the fitting.
However after that preliminary salvo, Newcastle managed to sluggish Arsenal’s momentum and get a foothold in a match that turned more and more bodily as 5 yellow playing cards had been dished out within the first 45 minutes.
There was nonetheless a golden alternative for both sides earlier than half-time, nevertheless, each from set-pieces. Gabriel looped a header simply broad from an Odegaard free kick on 35 minutes earlier than the half ended with Joelinton failing to seek out the goal from shut vary on the again put up from a flicked-on nook.
One of the best likelihood of a decent second half additionally got here from a dead-ball state of affairs. This time it was Gabriel Martinelli who headed simply broad of the goal from an Odegaard inswinging nook with 11 minutes remaining.
As Arteta reduce an more and more pissed off determine on the touchline, Arsenal had been denied a last likelihood to get the win when a penalty declare for handball within the field was waived away in stoppage time.
