Alexander Isak's early headed goal lifted Newcastle to a 1-0 victory on Saturday at St. James' Park, as Eddie Howe's men delivered a blow to Arsenal's title chase with their first win in six Premier League outings.
Mikel Arteta's Gunners remained provisionally third in the standings on 18 points, with the two teams above them -- Manchester City and Liverpool -- playing later on Saturday. Newcastle climbed to eighth on 15 points.
Isak netted his third league goal of the season in the 12th minute after Newcastle worked the ball out wide to Anthony Gordon who then whipped in a pinpoint cross from the right that the 25-year-old Swede leapt to head into the far corner past David Raya.
The Magpies, who beat Arsenal by the same score nearly a year to the day last season at St. James' Park, did well to keep the visitors off the scoresheet, swarming them every time they got near the penalty area. Declan Rice headed a cross just wide of the net in injury time in Arsenal's best chance of the day.
Newcastle vs Arsenal latest updates
- GOAL! Isak heads home early opener
Full-time!
14:27 , Alex Young97min: That’s it! That’s a nightmare result for Arsenal.
Newcastle are up to eighth.
95min: Ball after the ball thrown in but Newcastle dealign with the lot.
93min: Was that the moment?!
A whipped cross from Saka is on Rice’s head, but he heads down and sends a header wide of the far post.
91min: Five minutes added on as Newcastle fans groan.
86min: Partey replaced by Jorginho.
86min: Barnes replaces Gordon, who gets an applause from the stands.
85min: Half a chance for Jesus as he tries to bring the ball down in the area, but Gordon is there to take it off his toe!
83min: Partey on Bruno but he avoids a booking. Bizarre.
82min: Saka has stopped limping after that tap on his Achilles, but is still not able to carve open a space on that right flank.
78min: It’s approaching backs-against-the-wall time for Newcastle.
Arsenal need to move the ball quicker, it’s still so stilted.
77min: Pope is going to try to continue.
75min: White tries to spot a team-mate with a neat pass to the byline, but it only ends up playing the ball out of play.
Pope then immediately hits the deck.
74min: Not a good sign for Arsenal fans: Saka is limping.
71min: Tonali already booked, for a late tackle on Havertz.
White and Jesus are on for Trossard and Timber.
70min: Newcastle win a corner off Gabriel as Jesus is asked to warm up.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
13:58 , Alex YoungJust as in the first half, there is plenty of possession and control about Arsenal, but they are sorely lacking the cutting edge they have shown in recent weeks.
St James' Park is a tough place to come and, once again, it is proving so.
68min: Finally corner delivery almost comes to something for Arsenal as a deep delivery lands at Trossard’s feet to shoot first-time at goal, but it’s easily blocked.
66min: Corner comes in from Saka, and it’s punched clear by Pope.
Timber booked for a lunge on Tonali.
65min: Tonali replaces Willock.
64min: Isak with a fierce drive from the edge of the area after Nwaneri gives away possession.
Newcastle are not sitting back.
Straight up the other end, Rice’s shot takes a little deflection to win a corner.
63min: Havertz tries to skip Burn, and does... but then collides with Pope.
62min: Willock in the book, and now Tonali is being readied.
61min: Merino and Martinelli make way.
60min: Zinchenko and Nwaneri are warming up.
58min: A great chance for Newcastle as Willock gets the better of Saliba, tries a couple of stepovers... but blasts over from inside the area.
54min: Tonali getting a talking to from Howe. He’ll be on soon, then.
52min: Another poor set-piece delivery from Rice, again far too deep to the back post and Newcastle deal with it with ease.
51min: A sliding Burn takes the ball behind after Trossard looks to carve open a yard with a drive into the area.
Great, alert defending.
50min: More of the same from Arsenal so far. It’s all a bit static so far.
47min: Isak immediately tests Raya, but he’s slightly off balance and the keeper collects quick easily.
Second half!
13:35 , Alex Young46min: Back underway!
Arsenal are already back out. No changes, it appears.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
13:22 , Alex YoungWell, that first half has been a tough watch at times. Isak’s header from Gordon’s cross was the only moment of real quality and deserved a goal.
Arsenal have struggled to knit much together in attack. Choice words from Arteta on the way back in the dressing room, no doubt.
Half-time!
13:19 , Alex Young49min: There’s the whistle.
48min: Arteta is writing furiously on a small piece of paper.
47min: Two crosses from Merino, the first is punched away by Pope and the second is easily caught.
46min: Three minutes added on.
44min: Willock whips in a low cross from out wide, but it’s cleared straight away.
43min: Partey with a foul on Willock and he’s given a warning by the referee.
42min: Superb from Joelinton to outmuscle Saliba at the back post as a ball is whipped in at the back post. He celebrates.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
13:11 , Alex YoungInto a period of the game when Arsenal keep winning little free-kicks here and there for overzealous challenges by Newcastle.
Every time referee John Brooks blows his whistle, the home fans cry out in frustration.
39min: Schar with the booking for kicking the ball away.
38min: Longstaff with arms all over Trossard, and we have our first yellow card.
36min: Ah, he’s fine... and Pope kicks a free kick straight out of play.
34min: Concern for Newcastle as Bruno Guimaraes appears to have injured himself while inadvertently kicking Merino.
32min: Another Arsenal corner, this time off Livramention.
Rice sends it deep, but it sails out of play as Martinelli tries to get on the end of it.
30min: Newcastle need to keep the pressure on Arsenal but Pope’s kicking has been pretty bad. He’s just booted it straight out of play, and didn’t even reach the halfway line.
27min: Merino’s point-blank shot is blocked by Hall after an Arsenal corner causes panic in the Newcastle box.
Pope was stranded.
26min: Incredible cross from Saka, which is begging to be tapped home but no Arsenal player gambles! Schar clears practically underneath the crossbar.
25min: Corner comes in but Havertz heads clear and Raya soon has the ball in his hands.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
12:55 , Alex YoungAnthony Gordon is causing Arsenal so many headaches here. He is running rings around Timber and Rice at the moment.
24min: Oh wow, Gordon is everywhere. He’s straight up the other end, stands up Timber and almost lays up Joelinton at the back post.
Wins a corner, though.
23min: Rice sends a free kick straight into Gordon’s face, from about 10 yards. A very poor delivery from the Arsenal man with all his team-mates waiting in the penalty area.
22min: Now it’s Newcastle’s turn to push Arsenal back. The Gunners need to get their spark back.
20min: Another decent ball in from Gordon, this time towards Joelinton but the Brazilian can’t quite get the ball under control.
16min: Joelinton with a reducer on Saliba. There’ll be more of that to come, I’m sure.
14min: Newcastle are yet to drop points when winning this season.
Arsenal, again, have it all to do at St James’ Park.
GOAL!
12:44 , Alex Young12min: One chance, one goal!
A stunning cross from Gordon, puts it on a plate for Isak to head home inside the area.
Gabriel and Saliba could only stand and watch!
11min: A brilliant run from Timber is not tracked by Newcastle, and the defender is able to lay it off to Saka for a low shot just wide.
Newcastle not quite at it yet.
10min: Arsenal on top in these opening stages, really pushing Newcastle back.
9min: Arsenal win their first corner, off Willock.
Rice sends it in, it’s right under Pope’s crossbar but he punches it away.
7min: Merino’s first real involvement is an audacious attempt at a half-volley from about 30 yards, which sails high and well wide.
Dom Smith at St James' Park
12:36 , Alex YoungWill be interesting to see how Mikel Merino gets on against his former club this afternoon.
The Spaniard joined them on loan from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 and then joined the Magpies permanently for the 2017/18 season.
5min: That’s better from Newcastle!
Willock gets to the byline and forces a corner off Gabriel. Gordon sends it in by Havertz heads away.
4min: Newcastle yet to get out of their own half.
2min: Arsenal straight on the ball, looking to prod and probe on the edge of the area. Havertz and Saka link up but the latter cannot carve open the space for a shot.
Kick-off!
12:30 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
Time for ‘The Last Post’ ahead of Remembrance Sunday next weekend.
The teams are in the tunnel.
The teams are back in their dressing rooms. Not long to go now.
Why Tonali is on the bench
12:13 , Alex YoungEddie Howe has confirmed to TNT Sports that Tonali is on the bench to manage his workload, but expects him to come off the bench.
Tonali played 90 minutes in midweek in the win over Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta on title race
12:11 , Alex YoungSpeaking to TNT Sports: “Playing with 11 players is critical and then the availability of the squad. That is what we had well last season and then you can challenge.
“Then the games are decided by fine margins. The team has shown great ability to adapt and then it is decided by moments."
He added: “We lost momentum against Liverpool. We are a team that when we have momentum and belief is high we are very difficult to play against.
“We have to show our teeth. When things are against you that's when you show yourself. Today is a great opportunity to show that."
Mikel Arteta on team news
11:59 , Alex YoungSpeaking to TNT Sports: "Gabi [Gabriel] trained yesterday, he felt okay so he plays. Willy [Saliba] is back after suspension.
“Ben [White] didn't quite make it as he only had half a session yesterday. It is the third time he has had that [injury] so we have to protect him."
Dom Smith in glorious technicolour
11:52 , Alex YoungOur man at SJP.
Gordon is back in the starting XI, but Tonali and Barnes are surprise names on the bench.
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 2, 2024
As expected, Gabriel starts but White is only fit enough for the bench, with Partey deputising at right-back.
Here's @MrDomSmith at St James' Park.
LIVE: https://t.co/MNZ8mpULfg#NEWARS pic.twitter.com/52ADCUX12J
Dom Smith at St James' Park
11:45 , Alex YoungSo a big boost for Arsenal, then, to have Gabriel fit to start in such a key match as Arsenal seek to put pressure on the top two.
William Saliba perhaps received more fanfare than the Brazilian last season, but it is Gabriel who has stood out this season, not only for his defending but by popping up with a couple of goals too.
Tonali drops to the bench, Gabriel is fit
11:38 , Alex YoungGordon is back in the starting lineup after missing the loss at Chelsea, but Tonali and Barnes are surprise names on the bench with Longstaff and Willock starting.
As expected, Gabriel is fit to start for Arsenal and is joined by Saliba after a suspension. White is only fit enough for the bench, with Partey deputising at right-back.
Team news in full
11:26 , Alex YoungNewcastle United XI: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Guimarães, Willock, Longstaff, Gordon, Isak, Joelinton
Subs: Dubravka, Krafth, Kelly, Murphy, Tonali, Almirón, Miley, Barnes, Osula
Arsenal XI: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino, Trossard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Subs: Neto, White, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus
Newcastle XI
11:18 , Alex Young...and the hosts!
UNITED. 💪 pic.twitter.com/mFpz3wQQZ7
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 2, 2024
Arsenal XI
11:17 , Alex YoungHere’s how the Gunners look!
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 2, 2024
🧱 Saliba partners Gabriel
👊 Merino in the middle
©️ Saka skippers the side
Let’s leave it all out there, Gunners 😤
It sounds like Gabriel starts for Arsenal. Confirmed team news in just under 15 minutes.
Eddie Howe on Newcastle 'dark arts'
10:54 , Alex YoungEddie Howe has insisted Newcastle will do "whatever it takes to win" today.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was furious after last season's 1-0 defeat at St James' Park. He had been unhappy too after the Magpies had held his side to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium in January last year.
It prompted a debate about the "dark arts" employed by Eddie Howe's men as they gatecrashed the top four to secure Champions League qualification at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Asked if his side needed to regain that reputation, Howe said: "Yes, but I think it is related to winning. When you are winning games, if you are leading games, everything is different compared to when you are chasing games.
"In part, it was over-hyped and talked about more because we were in that position a lot that season. This season, we have not been in that position as often, so you end up being the reactive team trying to chase the game effectively.
"We don't want to be in that position, we want to be the team in control. But certainly, doing whatever it takes to win - as long as it is within the rules - I'm a firm believer in that."
Arsenal face test of emotional maturity as Newcastle plot more pain
10:44 , Alex YoungIt has become a hallmark of this Arsenal team under Mikel Arteta that they use painful experiences as fuel for the future.
Nowhere has that been more apparent than St. James’ Park, with Newcastle’s home the setting for some of Arsenal’s toughest days under Arteta.
Defeat there at the end of the 2021-22 season cost the Gunners a spot in the Champions League, while last year a 1-0 loss sparked a huge fallout that rumbled on for weeks.
Arteta was incensed after that game and the fact that Anthony Gordon’s winning goal was given after surviving three separate VAR checks.
The Arsenal manager labelled the decision a “disgrace” and “embarrassing”, while Arsenal released a club statement backing their manager’s reaction to "unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors" during the match. Arteta’s outburst prompted the Football Association to charge him, but the Gunners boss was later cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent panel.
A return to Newcastle brings back memories of that stormy defeat, albeit Arteta has tried his best to forget them.
When doing his analysis of the loss, the Spaniard admitted on Friday he could not watch the Gordon goal, such was the emotion it stirred up in him.
One suspects his players feel the same and on Saturday they will have the chance to get some revenge for a painful loss last year.
Betting odds
10:33 , Alex YoungNewcastle may have won their last two home games against Arsenal, but the bookies are backing the Gunners today.
- Newcastle – 5/2
- Draw – 13/5
- Arsenal – 1/1
(Odds via Betway.)
Newcastle vs Arsenal prediction
10:26 , Alex YoungSt James’ Park can be a fortress at its best but Newcastle have been turgid for much of the season thus far, their win at second-string Chelsea in the Carabao Cup notwithstanding.
Arsenal will fancy their chances - as they always do - and are buoyed by being able to rest a number of players in midweek.
Arsenal to win, 2-1.
Arsenal team news
10:20 , Alex YoungArsenal are hopeful Gabriel will today be fit to face Newcastle.
The Brazilian defender injured his knee during last week’s draw with Liverpool and missed Wednesday’s win at Preston in the Carabao Cup, but Mikel Arteta to hopeful the defender ca be ready today.
“We have a training session today,” he said on Friday. “If he’s able to complete that he will be available. He hasn’t had any training sessions yet but if he can do that today he will be available in the squad.”
Ben White is a doubt for the game at St James’ Park with a joint issue. He played the full 90 minutes against Liverpool, but was absent from the squad for the win at Preston three days later.
“With Ben, we don’t know yet,” Arteta said. “He hasn’t trained yet. He could not train, he could not get involved so let’s see what happens.”
Martin Odegaard (ankle) and Riccardo Calafiori (knee) will both miss the trip to Newcastle, as will Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee).
Newcastle team news
10:12 , Alex YoungAnthony Gordon returned for Newcastle on Wednesday after missing Sunday’s game and is available once more.
Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are all out.
Eddie Howe faces a series of decisions with the likes of Lloyd Kelly, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock having impressed in midweek, but is intent on making life difficult for the Gunners.
He said: "We want to make it as uncomfortable as we can for any opposition team coming to St James' Park. That's the beauty of playing at home. We don't want to make this a comfortable environment for any team."
How to watch Newcastle vs Arsenal
10:05 , Alex YoungTV channel: The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Coverage starts at 11am GMT ahead of a 12.30pm kick-off.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ app.
Welcome
09:59 , Alex YoungGood morning and welcome to the Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Newcastle and Arsenal.
This fixture has had growing needle in recent seasons, with the Gunners dropping valuable points in both the top-four and titles races.
Last season went into overdrive over Anthony Gordon’s controversial winner in a 1-0 win for Newcastle, which Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta still finds hard to watch or talk about.
So, this should be a fiesty one. Stick with us.
