Newcastle hold table toppers Arsenal to scoreless draw at home

It was a night of high drama and tension at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday as Newcastle United held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw in North London in the clash between two of the top three teams in the league. The Magpies ended Arsenal’s 100% winning record at home in the Premier League this season with a gutsy defensive performance that frustrated Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners dominated large parts of the possession but couldn’t find the final action needed to continue their five-game winning streak in the league and extend their lead at the top of the table.

Buoyed by the partisan crowd, Arsenal started the game with a fiery intensity that has typified Mikel Arteta’s side this season. The Gunners had five shots on goal within the opening six minutes as Newcastle couldn’t cope with the pace and movement of the Arsenal frontline. Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard couldn’t find the target with their efforts, while Bukayo Saka forced Nick Pope into a save after a mazy run past Dan Burn.

However, Eddie Howe’s side grew into the game as the half wore on and showcased why they have the best defensive record in the league with their gritty display. The Magpies matched Arsenal’s physicality and athleticism across the pitch, and the scrappy nature of the tie saw five yellow cards handed out before the break. Newcastle’s low block frustrated the Arsenal attack for large parts of the half, and the visitors even had a glorious chance to break the deadlock, with Joelinton heading wide from a corner.

Arsenal saw even more off the ball in the second half, but Newcastle mastered the dark arts and managed to drain the Gunners’ momentum with some tactical fouls and opportunistic stoppages. The North London side still had chances to take the lead and the three points. Gabriel Martinelli’s glanced header drifted wide off the post from a corner, while Nick Pope made a crucial intervention to deny Eddie Nketiah in the final ten minutes.

The Gunners even had a huge penalty shout turned down by the VAR in the final moments of the tie, with the VAR and on-field referee deciding against giving a penalty for a handball by Jacob Murphy in the area. Mikel Arteta’s side were eventually forced to settle for a point as Newcastle United became the first team to keep a clean sheet against the Gunners this Premier League season.

This victory strengthens Eddie Howe’s side’s credentials as top four candidates, keeping them in third in the table with 35 points. Arsenal, meanwhile, missed out on a chance to go ten points clear of Manchester City but still have a substantial lead over their championship rivals, who will face Chelsea on Thursday.