ARSENAL missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with a 0-0 draw against Newcastle.
The Gunners started fast and had chances to win the game but Newcastle defended resolutely on a rainy night at the Emirates.
- Start time: 7.45pm
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Premier League
- Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinehcnko, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Nketiah
- Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Willock, Almiron, Joenlinton, Callum Wilson
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That’s all from the Emirates
It was a night that promised much, but in the end all we got was a bucketload of yellow cards, a black and white wall, and 60,000 faces red with fury.
But Arsenal still have plenty to smile about at the start of 2023 as they lead the Premier League by eight points.
And Newcastle can be more than happy with life as they sit in the Champions League spots with a defence that looks unbreakable right now.
There’s more football to come tomorrow with four more top-flight fixtures, and then on Thursday, it’s the big one when Chelsea host Manchester City.
Until then, thank you and goodnight.
Arsenal extend lead to eight
So Arsenal do extend their lead at the top of the Premier League, but not to the 10 points that they had dreamed of.
Instead, the Gunners lead is eight with second-placed Manchester City due to play at Chelsea on Thursday.
Newcastle remain third, but only on goal difference now after Manchester United comfortably beat Bournemouth.
Elsewhere, there were away wins this evening for high-flyers Brighton and Fulham.
- Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
- Everton 1-4 Brighton
- Leicester 0-1 Fulham
- Manchester United 3-0 Bournemouth
Credit: premierleague.com Arteta rues two ‘scandalous’ decisions
Mikel Arteta has pulled no punches in his post-match interview.
The Arsenal boss is livid that his side didn’t receive a penalty either for Dan Burn’s pull on Gabriel, or the late handball from Jacob Murphy.
There were two scandalous penalty decisions. I don’t know [why VAR did not overturn them]. They are both penalties.
Mikel Arteta
Magpies flying into new year
While one run may have come to an end – Arsenal’s winning streak at home – Newcastle go from strength to strength.
The Toon Army are now unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions under Eddie Howe.
Credit: @OptaJoe Twitter Gunners Burn-ed by penalty call
Arsenal players were furious when they weren’t awarded a penalty deep in stoppage time for an alleged handball against Jacob Murphy.
It would have been a harsh decision, but the same couldn’t be said about an incident earlier in the second half.
In defending a free-kick into the box, Dan Burn clearly pulled the shirt of Gabriel, dragging him to the floor and denying him from reaching the ball.
The video officials apparently looked at the incident, but didn’t feel there was enough evidence to overturn the referee’s on-field decision.
Baffling.
Tight Toon keep it clean
After another shut-out on the road, it’s now eight hours and 45 minutes since Newcastle last conceded a goal.
Nick Pope’s six successive clean sheets are the club’s best defensive showing in 40 years, and is clearly the base upon which Eddie Howe is building success.
Credit: @Oilysailor Twitter Match stats from the Emirates
Arsenal racked up two-thirds of possession and 17 attempts at goal, but still rarely troubled Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal, who made just a few saves throughout the 90 minutes.
Full time – Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
Thomas Party lashes one final volley over the crossbar, and Andy Madley calls time on this clash in the capital.
Arsenal huffed and puffed throughout, but couldn’t break down the most stubborn and resilient Newcastle United outfit.
The closest either side came were headers from almost the exact same spot of the field, but Joelinton’s flew over in the first half while Gabriel Martinelli’s flashed wide.
There were very late claims for an Arsenal penalty when the ball clipped Jacob Murphy’s hand, but the Toon survived for another clean sheet that ended the Gunners’ winning streak.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
90+5. Huge, HUGE appeals for an Arsenal penalty!
Xhaka tricks his way to the touchline, and clips in a cross that does strike the arm of Murphy.
Andy Madley waves play-on, and the Arsenal players are furious.
The Arsenal manager is furious.
The Arsenal fans are furious.
VAR review the incident, but quickly back the referee in his decision.
It would have a been a very harsh decision to give it.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
90+3. Newcastle win a corner now, but don’t overly commit.
Joelinton does get on the end of it, but doesn’t appear overly concerned with going for goal.
Arsenal eventually clear their lines.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
90+2. Guimaraes wins a throw-in, down in front of the shirtless Newcastle fans, who go absolutely berserk.
The Brazilian responds in kind, urging the travelling supporters for one more push.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
90. The fourth official holds up the board to signal five minutes additional time.
Mikel Arteta is livid, he believes it should be much more.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
88. Nketiah! Great save by Pope!
The Newcastle goalkeeper uses his feet expertly to deny the Arsenal striker after a slick touch and strike inside the penalty area.
Seconds later, there are handball appeals for a penalty, but Andy Madley waves them away.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle – Newcastle substitution
86. Former Arsenal man Joe Willock has run himself into the ground, and he’s replaced for the final stages by Allan Saint-Maximin.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
84. Xhaka is inches away from converting Odegaard’s sidefooted cross-shot inside the box.
The unmarked Swiss midfielder was caught flat-footed as the ball whizzed in his direction.
A lucky let-off for Newcastle
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
82. Inside the final ten minutes now, and time is fast ticking away.
There’s no sign of Arsenal settling for a point, however, and now Newcastle have begun having a go.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
80. Martinelli! Just wide!
The Brazilian gets up at the near post to meet the latest corner, this time from the right, and glances a lovely header inches beyond the frame of the goal.
That’s the closest the Gunners have come tonight!
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
79. It’s the least convincing Newcastle have been in defending an Arsenal corner as Pope flaps a punch at Martinelli’s delivery.
Thankfully for the England stopper, there is nobody in red to take advantage.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
77. Xhaka and Martinelli combine just inside the 18-yard box in order for the latter to cross, but the chipped centre is comfortably claimed by Pope.
The Newcastle keeper is closing in on a sixth successive clean sheet.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle – Arsenal substitution
75. A first change for the Gunners.
Ben White makes way, and Takehiro Tomiyasu takes over at right-back.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
74. A rare break from Newcastle, and they win a corner of their own off Zinchenko.
Trippier delivers towards Schar, who gets up highest but concedes a free-kick the process.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
72. No joy for Arsenal from the set-piece.
If a winning goal is to come, it’s unlikely to arrive via a dead ball given Newcastle’s defensive expertise.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
71. A rare glimpse of Martinelli magic.
The Brazilian drives at Trippier, but can’t get his cross-shot beyond him and Arsenal have another corner.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle
70. Into the final 20 minutes, this remains on a knife edge.
Albeit a knife with a very blunt edge.
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle – Newcastle double substitution
68. Callum Wilson has run his race on his return to fitness.
The striker will depart along with Miguel Almiron with Chris Wood and Jacob Murphy on in their place.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
