- Strong contenders -
Both teams went into the game on the back of impressive runs of form, with Newcastle, who have only lost twice in the league in 2018, facing an Arsenal side that were unbeaten in seven games in all competitions. Arsene Wenger rotated his squad for the tie, giving 18-year-old midfielder Joe Willock a Premier League debut, while Rafa Benitez named an unchanged side.
The two sides showed why they have been picking up points consistently as of late, with the first half an equally contested display. Arsenal grew into the game after a fast start from Newcastle, who showed energy on and off the ball.
- Advantage Arsenal -
It was the visitors who drew first blood, though, making it 0-1 in the 14th minute through Alexandre Lacazette. The move was started by an accurate long ball from Shkodran Mustafi, which found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang down the left. The forward lofted a tasty ball across the face of goal, and Lacazette buried it at the back post to give the advantage to Arsenal.
- Perez pegs it back -
Newcastle responded in the 29th minute, however, with a lovely fast-paced counter. Again it came from a ball up-field, this time from Jonjo Shelvey, and Dwight Gayle then did well to control it and feed Deandre Yedlin. The right-back whipped a cross in and Ayoze Perez finished well, levelling the game. Both sides continued to attack, but half-time arrived with the score at 1-1.
15 April 2018
- Richie turns it around -
The second half started in fairly lowkey fashion, with Arsenal dominant but unable to make it count in the final third. Newcastle continued to be a threat, and they stung Arsene Wenger’s side in the 68th minute, turning the game in their favour. Islam Slimani, who came off the bench in the second half, pounced on a mistake from Nacho Monreal, shifting it to Ayoze Perez, who flicked on to Matt Ritchie. The midfielder buried it with his weaker foot to complete the two goal turnaround.
Arsenal continued to dominate possession as they hunted for an equaliser, but they lacked a cutting edge when it counted, and were unable to break a disciplined Newcastle defence down.
- Benitez buzzing, Wenger worried -
The whistle blew for full time before Arsenal could find any reply, completing a highly satisfactory afternoon for Rafa Benitez, whose side have now reached the famous ‘40 points’ needed for safety from relegation.
Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, may regret making so many changes, and the ‘Gunners’ are now in danger of slipping into 7th in the table if they lose again. It will all be forgiven if they win the Europa League, but if they are bested by Atletico Madrid this may come back to bite them.
15 April 2018