Arsenal legend says Newcastle United duo are protected after Gunners suffer St James Park defeat
There was more reaction to Newcastle United's 1-0 home win against Premier League rivals Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
A mixture of relief and celebration enveloped St James Park as the full-time whistle was blown in Newcastle United’s hard-earned win against Premier League rivals Arsenal.
Just 12 months earlier, Eddie Howe’s side had battled their way to a controversial 1-0 win against the Gunners on a night when visitors head coach Mikel Arteta was left to rue what he viewed as questionable decisions that to a winning goal from Magpies forward Anthony Gordon. But there was nothing controversial about Newcastle’s second consecutive home win against Arteta’s men as the likes of Sean Longstaff, Joelinton and Joe Willock all played leading roles to help their side claim a win that has taken them to within three points of the top six in the Premier League table.
The winning moment came when Alexander Isak scored the third consecutive game as the Sweden international got on the end of a sumptuous cross from Anthony Gordon and sent a powerful header beyond Gunners goalkeeper David Raya. Although that goal was enough to give his side all three points, it was a true team performance that laid the foundations for an impressive win with every player in black and white playing their part in front of a raucous St James Park crowd.
A hardworking and disciplined display from the United midfield has earned widespread praise from several pundits. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown was the latest to suggest Howe’s midfield were integral in helping his side claim a second home win inside three day and he believes the Magpies boss found a balance that masked one deficiency within his squad.
The former England defender told talkSPORT: “I think they found a way to protect their central defenders. Not to dig anyone out, but there’s a lack of pace there. But if you’re going to bring everybody back in front as they did with their midfield – their midfield worked tremendously, a very workman-like midfield. They’re protecting those two players so they’re not going to be in any way isolated. They sat on the edge of their own box for a large period. They managed the game really very well, but that’s what they’re going to have to continue to do to get the right balance.”
The Magpies are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to in-form Nottingham Forest.