FROM ST JAMES’ PARK – Arsenal secured a top-two Premier League finish with a hard fought 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
After VAR denied Newcastle a penalty 15-minutes in, Arsenal opened the scoring against the run of play thanks to a world-class finish from their captain Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal’s second came in the 71st minute when Swiss defender Fabian Schar deflected the ball into his own net after a brilliant run from Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank.
Both England goalkeepers Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale were kept busy and both produced some outstanding stops, but the latter was not to be beaten as Arsenal earned a win which means they will, at the very least, finish second in the Premier League this season – their best finish since 2016.
Newcastle, who remain on course for third, had started brightly. Just two minutes in they could, and should, have been ahead. Good work on the left from Joe Willock led to Jacob Murphy being found in the box, and while he beat Aaron Ramsdale which his strike, the ball would subsequently crash off of the post.
Controversy arrived 10 minutes in when referee Chris Kavanagh awarded Newcastle a penalty after a Bruno Guimaraes shot was blocked by Jakub Kiwior. After a lengthy VAR checked, the ball was deemed to have hit the defender’s thigh and not his arm.
Newcastle’s bench were angered by the decision and their mood worsened just minutes later when Arsenal took the lead.
Odegaard picked up the ball 25-yards out and was given all the time in the world to set himself up before unleashing a fantastic low effort beyond Nick Pope for his 15th goal of the season.
Nick Pope then kept Newcastle in the game with a brilliant double save. Odegaard slipped Gabriel Martinelli into space and Pope was out quickly to deny him. The England number two then stood up and pushed Odegaard effort wide of his post as he tried to curl the ball into his far corner.
Arsenal continued to dominate and Pope once again came to Newcastle’s rescue. Martinelli turned creator this time as he sent Bukayo Saka clear but he could not beat Pope who saved with his chest.
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On the half hour mark Newcastle had an excellent chance to level. Bruno fired the ball into Callum Wilson, who then fed Willock, but the ex-Arsenal man couldn’t beat Ramsdale with his shot on goal.
On the stroke of half-time Pope kept Newcastle in the game once again. Nice football from Arsenal saw Martinelli feed Odegaard, who…
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