November 27, (THEWILL) – Arsenal drew level on points with fourth-placed West Ham after a 2-0 win over Newcastle at the Emirates on Saturday in Eddie Howe’s first timebin the Newcastle dugout.
Their greatest chance came on the stroke of half-time, when Emile Smith Rowe’s bullet header was excellently saved by Martin Dubravka, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could only hit the post with the rebound from three yards out.
Howe, who missed last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Brentford due to a positive Covid-19 test, would have been pleased with his team’s start, but it could have been much better if it had not been for Aaron Ramsdale’s outstanding save, turning Jonjo Shelvey’s curler onto the crossbar.
Newcastle held firm in defence, but were sliced open 11 minutes after the restart as Arsenal took the lead thanks to a beautiful team move. Nuno Tavares played in Saka after 14 passes, who finished with aplomb from an acute angle.
Unfortunately, the goalscorer was forced to leave the game shortly later due to an apparent hip injury. Martinelli, on the other hand, made an immediate impression, scoring with his second touch after taking the ball from Takehiro Tomiyasu and lifting it over the onrushing Dubravka less than two minutes after coming on.
Newcastle fought back valiantly, but they could not find the goal that would have set up an exciting finish, and they remain winless this season. They are now preparing for a crucial match against fellow relegation candidates Norwich on Tuesday night.
Arsenal’s next match is at Old Trafford on Thursday. For the time being, Mikel Arteta’s squad is looking good for the season as they bounce back from their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool last weekend. They have now won four of their previous five games, indicating that they are on the right track.
Saka’s injury, on the other hand, is a setback, and he will almost certainly miss Thursday’s match against Manchester United. He has emerged as one of Arsenal’s best players, despite his young age, and Arteta cannot afford to lose him for long.
As one man’s loss is another man’s gain, it could present another opportunity for Martinelli, who has not fully gotten back on his feet after suffering a devastating knee injury last season.
As for Newcastle, this was an early stern test for Howe, and once Arsenal took the lead, the result was never going to be in their favour.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
