Arsenal's Top Four Hopes Damaged After Newcastle Loss
17 May, 2022
Arsenal's hopes of finishing in the top four suffered a major blow as they lost 2-0 to Newcastle United at St James' Park on Monday night.
Premier League
Result: Newcastle United 2-0 Arsenal
Date: 16 May 2022
Venue: St Jame's Park
Gabriel returned to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Rob Holding, while Nuno Tavares and Emile Smith-Rowe started ahead of Cedric and Gabriel Martinelli. The Magpies enjoyed a lot of the ball in the early stages and looked to cause the visitors a few problems with Callum Wilson upfront, although the Gunners defence did well to thwart attacks in the opening 20 minutes.
Arsenal, meanwhile, struggled their get foot on the ball in the first half as the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Sako were not given any time on the ball by the home side.
The hosts had the first real opening in the 36th minute when Joelinton took the ball off Odegaard and found Allan Saint-Maximin, who skipped past one player before forcing Aaron Ramsdale into a fine save.
After the first half ended goalless, Newcastle got the breakthrough just before the hour mark when White deflected Joelinton's cross into his own net.
Mikel Arteta responded by introducing Alexandre Lacazette to partner Eddie Nketiah upfront, with full-back Tavares making way for the final 25 minutes.
Wilson nearly bagged a second goal in spectacular fashion on 82 minutes by trying to catch Ramsdale off his line from 40-yards out, but his volley sailed just wide of the upright.
Newcastle got their reward two minutes later when Ramsdale denied Wilson before the ball fell into the path of Bruno Guimaraes, who sent a first-time finish into the back of the net.
Arsenal will now head into the final game of the season against Everton in fifth place, two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur who taken on relegated Norwich City.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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