‘Cruel’ to judge Arsenal’s Champions League knockout return on last-gasp Porto defeat, Arteta says
Arsenal host Newcastle in the Premier League as the Gunners look to bounce back from midweek disappointment to claim a crucial win in the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten 1-0 by Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, losing to Galeno’s late winner, and now face another side who have caused them a fair amount of frustration in recent seasons. Eddie Howe’s visitors handed Arsenal their first Premier League defeat of the campaign in November in what was a fractious affair at St James’ Park, and also held the Gunners to a goalless draw at the Emirates last season.
But before their defeat in Portugal, Arsenal were flying and have won five in a row in the Premier League. With Liverpool not in action this weekend, Arteta’s side can go two points off the top of the table with a win but Newcastle will be looking to spoil the party against Arsenal once again. Howe’s side will have to improve defensively, however, with the Magpies conceding 18 goals in their last five in the Premier League.
Follow live updates from Arsenal vs Newcastle below and get the latest tips and match odds on the Premier League fixture, here:
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
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Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
45 mins: Alert goalkeeping from Raya. He’s not had much to do in this first half but he sprints out of his box to beat Almiron to a ball into the right channel and hoof it into the stands. Good awareness
Three minutes of added time announced
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:45
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
42 mins: Neat play again from Arsenal. So slick around the box and the close control is superb. Saka gets half a yard of space on the right of the box and clips the ball into the centre but the referee blows his whistle for a foul. Newcastle can clear
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:43
SAVE! Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
38 mins: Excellent save by Karius. Martinelli runs at the defence and finds Saka. He wiggles between two defenders with quick feet and lashes a shot at goal. Karius dives to his left and pushes the ball out for a corner.
Saka should never have been able to get a shot away between Livramento and Gordon. It’s been poor form Newcastle.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:39
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
37 mins: This time Rice nicks the ball away following more lackadaisical Newcastle defending. HAvertz gets the ball but takes a touch too many and the chance goes begging. This is complete domination though
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:38
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
36 mins: More average defending from Newcastle as Schar fails to clear. Martinelli puts his foot through a bouncing ball but it rockets over the bar and into the stands.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:36
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
34 mins: Arsenal sweep forward and win their fifth corner of the match. Worked short and Odegaard dinks a ball towards the back post but Newcastle scramble clear.
It’s only ever a brief reprieve though as the gunners regain possession and the Magpies can’t get out of their own half.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:35
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
31 mins: Champagne football from Arsenal. Intricate link-up play between Odegaard and Saka, including a backheel, and the latter stands up a cross from the byline.
Martinelli leaps but his header is a couple of feet over the bar. A shade too high for him to get over the top fo it but it’s gorgeous football from Arsenal.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:32
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
30 mins: Guimaraes goes through the back of Jorginho and is lucky not to get a yellow card. His next booking is a two-match ban as it would be his 10th of the season.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:31
CHANCE! Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
26 mins: Brilliant defending by Longstaff. It’s a clanger by Schar as he dallies in possession on the right edge of his own box and Odegaard blocks his attempted pass.
The cutback is about to be turned in by a waiting Havertz but Longstaff flicks the ball away for a corner. He saved a certain goal and Newcastle survive the corner.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:28
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle (Kai Havertz 24’)
And now it’s 2-0. A neat finish by Kai Havertz after great work by Martinelli.
The Brazilian makes a superb run across the box and Jorginho finds him with a defence-splitting pass. Martinelli cuts the ball back from the by-line and Havertz has made a superb run to the six-yard box where he sweeps home. Class by Arsenal.
Luke Baker24 February 2024 20:25