Arsenal FC | 2022/23 Season

[topspin]

Zinchenko is Arsenal's Hasan Ali. Everyone thought he was a million dollars in the beginning of his career until he got found out.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Along with Rice and Caicedo, if we can pull off Kudus that would be huge.

People laugh at Liverpool for spending so much on Nunez but he's shown glimpses of his potential.

Fabio Vieira, Nuno Tavares, Lokonga, Kiwior and Turner are all awful signings. As you say it costs more in the long run to fix these mistakes. There needs to be an end to signing this kind of player. None of these guys are worth more than £10m.

All these signings are horrendous yet still people on this thread and rest of fan base make excuse we can compete with other clubs spending etc. Yet continual make mistakes that's have to be fixed in transfer market. Another hit and miss TW in summer and Arsenal will be scrapping for 4th place next season. I don't trust edu to get all transfers required done and Arteta is incapable of getting best out of players he has.

 

[Amjid Javed]

This Ivan Fresneda might be gifted but he's 18 years old. We need someone who's a bit more proven and established.

I don't understand why Trossard can't start ahead of Xhaka or even Fabio Vieira in that Southampton game, like seriously Mikel?

Inverted left backs who can't defend nor support the winger in front of them is a no win situation.

If you got back to every season in charge and look at high pressure cup or league games under Arteta at end of season he's made incompetent, stubborn, tactical errors and not learnt from them. Fair enough he is meant to be learning but in end he's just been found out for average manager he is. Just because he was Peps number 2 people get to over excited

 

[Amjid Javed]

I know which posts I will be saving and bookmarking for later use!

)

A manager or a sporting director cannot advocate for both Saliba and Tomiyasu getting injured at the same time.
Otherwise White could have been shifted to CB in Saliba's absence.

Let me address the excuse and theory of yours and show how poor squad management is to blame.

Arsenal's 1st choice pool of defenders is essentially from 6 players. Then resorting to players after who aren't good enough

RB - Tomiyasu / white
CB - Saliba / Gabriel / white
LB - Zinchenko / Tierney

Most clubs will have 2 LB and 2 RB options so no issues here. Scenarios

Tierney or Zinchenko gets injured - we are left with 1 LB. This can happen and not much can be done about. End result is 1 area of the team left back is effected.

Tomiyasu gets injured, white has to play RB. Which then means he is no longer the back up options for CB. Which means we are not short in 2 positions.

White gets injured, Tomiyasu has to play RB, and now there is no back up option at CB which means we are short in 2 positions.

So 1 injury on our right side of our defence causes disruptions to 2 areas of the team. That means the likeliness of garbage players like holding etc. Become more likely.

That is poor squad management, injuries and suspensions happen. Yes having mutli-functional players is good but at same time can very quickly leave you short if an injury happens.

So reality Holding is 1st choice back up if either Tomiyasu or white gets injured because of lack of depth. Tomiyasu is thar injury prone that he was bound to miss a large chunk of games

 

[Amjid Javed]

Zinchenko is Arsenal's Hasan Ali. Everyone thought he was a million dollars in the beginning of his career until he got found out.

Very good comparison

 

[Amjid Javed]

Let's see if Arteta makes changes vs Chelsea or the same naive team selections. This is a Chelsea team struggling to score goals but I won't be shocked if Chelsea get a few goals on Tuesday.

If Arsenal don't beat Chelsea they could go end up 7 games with out a win as I can't see them beating Newcastle or Brighton.

 

[topspin]

All these signings are horrendous yet still people on this thread and rest of fan base make excuse we can compete with other clubs spending etc. Yet continual make mistakes that's have to be fixed in transfer market. Another hit and miss TW in summer and Arsenal will be scrapping for 4th place next season. I don't trust edu to get all transfers required done and Arteta is incapable of getting best out of players he has.

Whilst it might be true that we don't have the funds like City and Man U, you still have to buy smart. Look at Liverpool and Napoli.

Edu is the biggest liability for Arsenal. There's absolutely no urgency in his dealings. He seems far too laid back and like you I don't trust his judgement/eye for talent.

 

[topspin]

If you got back to every season in charge and look at high pressure cup or league games under Arteta at end of season he's made incompetent, stubborn, tactical errors and not learnt from them. Fair enough he is meant to be learning but in end he's just been found out for average manager he is. Just because he was Peps number 2 people get to over excited

Some very valid concerns and for me if Tierney ends up going to City, I reckon that will be the end of Arteta. He won't be a fan favourite anymore.

Eventually even his blind followers will turn on him because they'll finally one day open their eyes and see that because of him we've lost a decent full back for a CAM who can't defend, dribble nor cross it the way like Tierney can.

If I'm Tierney, I would love to go City and prove my old manager wrong. It would be a fine case of divine justice. Deep down he knows he's much better than Zinchenko and I'm sure so do Man City.

 

[topspin]

Let's see if Arteta makes changes vs Chelsea or the same naive team selections. This is a Chelsea team struggling to score goals but I won't be shocked if Chelsea get a few goals on Tuesday.

If Arsenal don't beat Chelsea they could go end up 7 games with out a win as I can't see them beating Newcastle or Brighton.

Now is the time to finally drop Holding. Play Ben White as the RCB and try Tierney or someone else at RB.

Replace Xhaka with Trossard.

Partey needs to be swapped out for Jorgino.

We'll have to stick with Zinchenko if Tierney has to cover for RB. Holding is the biggest problem in that backline. If Saliba was fit, it would make sense to drop Zinchenko until the end of the season.

 

[Firebat]

Arsenal will listen to offers for midfielder Granit Xhaka, 30, defender Kieran Tierney, 25, and 21-year-old striker Folarin Balogun to fund a transfer war chest for their return to the Champions League. (Mirror)

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Let's see if Arteta makes changes vs Chelsea or the same naive team selections. This is a Chelsea team struggling to score goals but I won't be shocked if Chelsea get a few goals on Tuesday.

If Arsenal don't beat Chelsea they could go end up 7 games with out a win as I can't see them beating Newcastle or Brighton.

Chelsea are awful, you'll easily beat them

The last time they scored more than 1 goal was in March and that was at home to Everton, who are terrible in general but particularly away from home

It's the game against us that is arguably your toughest one remaining, followed by Brighton at home, you'll easily win the rest

 

[Amjid Javed]

Chelsea are awful, you'll easily beat them

The last time they scored more than 1 goal was in March and that was at home to Everton, who are terrible in general but particularly away from home

It's the game against us that is arguably your toughest one remaining, followed by Brighton at home, you'll easily win the rest

Southampton are bottom of the league and struggling to score goals or get points and they scored 3 at the Emirates, bournemouth came here and scored twice. Arsenal conceded to many chances, also have conceded 30 goals at home.

So as bad as Chelsea are they will create and I won't be shocked of they get a few goals. Arsenal have zero confidence, Chelsea have nothing to lose and have a good record at the Emirates.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arsenal will listen to offers for midfielder Granit Xhaka, 30, defender Kieran Tierney, 25, and 21-year-old striker Folarin Balogun to fund a transfer war chest for their return to the Champions League. (Mirror)

Arsenal would get decent money for balogun, selling Tierney would be stupid.

Even after a decent season not many clubs are going to still want xhaka, not probably pay the silly price tag that Arsenal will put on him.

Vieira, nkeitah, holding, elneny should be sold as well.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Now is the time to finally drop Holding. Play Ben White as the RCB and try Tierney or someone else at RB.

Replace Xhaka with Trossard.

Partey needs to be swapped out for Jorgino.

We'll have to stick with Zinchenko if Tierney has to cover for RB. Holding is the biggest problem in that backline. If Saliba was fit, it would make sense to drop Zinchenko until the end of the season.

Yeah changing it up is a must. I'd actually go with a back 3 of white Gabriel Tierney, trossard and Zinchenko as wing backs, partey and jorginho in middle

Then Nelson or ESR, Jesus and Martinelli as front 3. Saka needs to be rested he's been poor 3 games running.

Oddegard needs to be removed as captain as well

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Southampton are bottom of the league and struggling to score goals or get points and they scored 3 at the Emirates, bournemouth came here and scored twice. Arsenal conceded to many chances, also have conceded 30 goals at home.

So as bad as Chelsea are they will create and I won't be shocked of they get a few goals. Arsenal have zero confidence, Chelsea have nothing to lose and have a good record at the Emirates.

I take your point but I think the difference is in those games there was pressure

That pressure is now off because everyone is talking as if the title is done and dusted, I think we'll see the Arsenal again that we saw prior to the form tumbling, whether that ends up being enough is a different matter

 

[Amjid Javed]

I take your point but I think the difference is in those games there was pressure

That pressure is now off because everyone is talking as if the title is done and dusted, I think we'll see the Arsenal again that we saw prior to the form tumbling, whether that ends up being enough is a different matter

Pressure off or not this team is mentally shot, all during the City the cameras kept showing Arteta on the bench and he's just sat there talking to his assistant, it's clear he had run out of ideas, plan A don't work he does really know what do. Also when Arsenal get stuck in a rut it happens for quite a few games consistently, which shows the team in mentally weak but also Artetas inability to get the team to turn around poor results quickly.

Since Arteta took over failing to in 3 games or more.

2019/20

Jan 2020-feb 2020 - 4 draws in a row

2020/21

Nov 2020-Dec 2020 - 2 draws 5 defeats in 7 games
Jan 2021 - Feb 2021 - 1 draws 2 defeats

2021/22

August 2021 - 3 defeats in a row
April 2022 - 3 defeats in a row

2022/23

Feb - 1 draw 2 defeats
April - 3 draws 1 defeat

This is pretty poor to say the least there are also numerous occasions of 2 defeats in a row as well. A sign of a good team is how the react the game after.

There is no leaders in the team, just because oddegard is waving his hands at the crowd and Zinchenko is doing team huddles a lot of Arsenal fan base wet themselves thinking that's leadership.

If a team consistently is good through bad patches like that in a season it's going to fail in top 4 races, title races etc.. the standards now are such you can't afford to drop points in 2 games in a row. Let alone 3 or more

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Mikel Arteta confirms William Saliba will not be available for Arsenal against Chelsea tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/kT5dl8GfYv">pic.twitter.com/kT5dl8GfYv</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1652955681962557444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Firebat]

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta says 'nicest part' of Premier League season to come

The Premier League title race is "not over" and Arsenal still have the "nicest part of the season" to come, says manager Mikel Arteta.

On Sunday the Gunners lost top spot to Manchester City, who beat them 4-1 on Wednesday and hold a one-point advantage with a game in hand.

Arsenal have spent 247 days at the top this season compared to City's 16.

Arteta said Arsenal, who are without a win in four games, want to "put things right" at home to Chelsea on Tuesday.

"We can still achieve the Premier League because there are five games to go and a lot of things are going to happen still," he said.

"When I look at it, this is not over.

"It is not in our hands any more. What is in our hands is to try to win the games we have left and the rest is down to City.

"I have not had to pick up the mood of the players. They keep the fire in the belly.

"What we have to do is forget about what happened last week, learn from it and move on into the next game."

Brighton's defeat by Nottingham Forest on Wednesday sealed Arsenal's place in the Champions League next season for the first time since 2016-17.

Arteta said: "I am incredibly proud and thankful to everyone who has contributed to bringing Champions League football back to this club.

"So congratulations, but also thank you for still being upset and accepting that the Champions League is not enough and we want more."

Arsenal, who have not won the title since 2004, will again be without France centre-back William Saliba against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

The 22-year-old has not played for more than a month because of a back injury which Arteta says has "not improved at all" over the past week.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65448555

 

[Saj]

The three players who come out of Mikel Arteta's starting line-up are all notably dropped rather than injured with Rob Holding, Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli all on the bench.

The former two had a torrid time at the Etihad last week and a pair of January arrivals take their place, with Jakub Kiwior finally handed a first league start more than three months since joining.

Jorginho gets the nod over Partey in midfield against his former team, while Leandro Trossard is preferred to Martinelli, in what is already his eighth league start since his own winter move from Brighton.

 

[Firebat]

Great goal Odegaard. Let's see if we can actually keep the lead this time

 

[Rana]

How poor are Chelsea? Can they still get relegated?

 

[Firebat]

This is the perfect time to play Chelsea )

I want 6!

 

[Rana]

Southampton at 20 are a thousand times better than this Chelsea side

 

[Firebat]

I want revenge for Wenger's 1000th game. Don't stop boys

 

[Amjid Javed]

Flat track bullies have turned up against worst side in PL. Where were they all last week?

 

[Rana]

I can’t recall the last time it was so easy to walk through into a team’s box as it is today at the emirate’s

 

[Amjid Javed]

I can’t recall the last time it was so easy to walk through into a team’s box as it is today at the emirate’s

You not watch our defending in last 4 games? Ask the opposition how easy it for those teams to walk through the team box.

 

[Rana]

Aubameyang being torched by these Sky commentators

He wasn’t that bad! Hate this scapegoating of players

 

[Saj]

This is like watching Man City v Arsenal, only this time Arsenal are performing the role of Man City today.

Too easy this.

 

[Saj]

Sloppy defensively Arsenal in the second half.

All charging forward - defence all over the place and Chelsea score.

 

[Amjid Javed]

This is like watching Man City v Arsenal, only this time Arsenal are performing the role of Man City today.

Too easy this.

Most of the Arsenal players haven't played or turned up for last 4 games, so they are fresh and just taking advantage now.

Pressure is off flat track bullies fill their boots. People will be called oddegard better then KDB again.

 

[Firebat]

They cannot keep a clean sheet to save their life

 

[Amjid Javed]

Sloppy defensively Arsenal in the second half.

All charging forward - defence all over the place and Chelsea score.

Bottom of league Southampton scored 3 times here, so no shock Chelsea have scored.

 

[Saj]

Zinchenko is such a poor defender.

If you analyse his game, it's so clear that he is really weak when it comes to positional sense.

Loves going forward, but a defender's main role is to defend, which he cannot do.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Zinchenko is such a poor defender.

If you analyse his game, it's so clear that he is really weak when it comes to positional sense.

Loves going forward, but a defender's main role is to defend, which he cannot do.

It doesn't matter he's the best "inverted fullback back" in world football and that's what's fashionable to Arteta. Doesn't matter how many times he's been nutmegged this season or how many goals he's given away.

He cries when he makes mistakes so that's showing passion, he waves his hands at the crowd, only oddegard does this better. He also does team huddles with oddegard so he's showing he's a leader. All things Arteta wants from his team.

 

[Rana]

One more Chelsea goal and it will be extremely nervous times for Arsenal

 

[Saj]

Gabriel has spent more time on the floor in this second half than he has stood up.

Why don't they just take him off.

 

[Rana]

Those 6 dropped points against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton are hurting now aren’t they?

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Easy win just as expected

Whoever takes the Chelsea job has their work cut out

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

[MENTION=16]Amjid Javed[/MENTION] genuine question, do you enjoy watching Arsenal?

Because they seem to just make you angry all the time

 

[Amjid Javed]

[MENTION=16]Amjid Javed[/MENTION] genuine question, do you enjoy watching Arsenal?

Because they seem to just make you angry all the time

Meaningless end of season game, no different to when we beat Everton 5-1 last season after bottling top 4.

No different to all those seasons from 2010 onwards where Arsenal would drop out of title race in Feb, March and then play decent football when there is no pressure or purpose.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Easy win just as expected

Whoever takes the Chelsea job has their work cut out

Kiwor and holding vs Newcastle on Sunday.

Will be a massacre with Newcastle scoring 3 or 4 at least

 

[topspin]

Kiwor and holding vs Newcastle on Sunday.

Will be a massacre with Newcastle scoring 3 or 4 at least

Backline of these two and Zinchenko on Sunday vs Newcastle.

Scary times!

 

[Amjid Javed]

Backline of these two and Zinchenko on Sunday vs Newcastle.

Scary times!

Newcastle have been scoring for fun so they should be expected a lot on Sunday.

Last season Arsenal in tough away games in North

Man utd
Liverpool
Man city
Everton
Newcastle

Lost all 5.

This season

Lost 3 drawn 1

That's reason they won't win the league.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Kiwor and holding vs Newcastle on Sunday.

Will be a massacre with Newcastle scoring 3 or 4 at least

I don't think it will be a massacre

I expect it to be a close game

 

[Amjid Javed]

I don't think it will be a massacre

I expect it to be a close game

Leagues best defence (also a team scoring for fun) vs a team whose back 4 will contain 3 defenders who can't actually defend.

I see your humility and caution though

 

[Amjid Javed]

Zinchenko is such a poor defender.

If you analyse his game, it's so clear that he is really weak when it comes to positional sense.

Loves going forward, but a defender's main role is to defend, which he cannot do.

Zinchenko put more effort into team huddle after conceding goal then he did tracking back. If I was rest of the back 4 I'd be fuming with his continual pathetic efforts.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Leagues best defence (also a team scoring for fun) vs a team whose back 4 will contain 3 defenders who can't actually defend.

I see your humility and caution though

We've only kept 1 clean sheet in the last 13 league games so we aren't as solid at the back but we have scored more which is a trade off that's worth it I guess

 

[Amjid Javed]

We've only kept 1 clean sheet in the last 13 league games so we aren't as solid at the back but we have scored more which is a trade off that's worth it I guess

Arsenal have conceded 12 goals in last 5 games and rarely keep cleansheets.

 

[Saj]

AN Arsenal fan has been arrested after a laser pen was flashed at Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk last night.

With Mikel Arteta's title-chasers coasting home to a 3-1 win, a green laser was pointed at the eyes of Mudryk.

Arsenal went on to condemn the use of the laser pen in a statement as they confirmed that a supporter had been arrested.

It read: "An arrest has been made following the use of a laser during last night’s match. This behaviour is dangerous and totally unacceptable, and we will fully support the police with their enquiries.

“We will obviously take the strongest possible action.”

A Metropolitan Police statement followed, confirming: "A 21-year-old man was arrested at the Emirates Stadium during the Arsenal v Chelsea match on 2 May on suspicion of a public order offence. He has been taken into custody."

The incident will also be investigated by the FA

Mudryk, 22, had been widely expected to join the Gunners in January.

Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar had been locked in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk for months

An agreement had been edging closer as the two parties worked on a transfer fee.


Well done to this idiot, doing the club proud!

 

[Saj]

Arsenal are still in the hunt for the Premier League title, but the preparations for next season have already begun behind the scenes.

The Gunners currently sit second in the table and are one point behind Manchester City. With a game in hand, Pep Guardiola’s side are now expected to win the league.

Despite their wobble towards the end, this season has been a huge leap forward for Arsenal. The return of Champions League football is also bound to make them a more attractive club next season.

Mikel Arteta will be well aware that several positions need strengthening in the summer and a fresh report has revealed what finances he will be working with.

According to talkSPORT, Arteta will have around £150million to spend in the next window. Arsenal have recruited well under Arteta so far and this summer will be another chance to improve.

The Gunners boast the youngest squad in the Premier League and they are likely to snap up some upcoming stars in the following months.

Holding midfield is likely to be a priority position for Arsenal to improve next and West Ham’s Declan Rice has popped up on their radar.

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have both had dips in form of late and could use the added competition next season.

Along with Rice, the likes of Moises Caidedo and Romeo Lavia continue to be linked with a move to North London.

The Gunners are also expected to add some more firepower to their squad. Arsenal have scored plenty of goals this season, but more competition can only be healthy.

A wide forward is being considered as the likes of Moussa Diaby and Wilfried Zaha have been mentioned. Zaha is out of contract in the summer and would be available on a free transfer.

Despite the Gunners interest in the Crystal Palace winger, former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna thinks they should look elsewhere.

“I don’t [think a move to Arsenal makes sense for Zaha],” Sagna told Sporting Post.

“He’s 30 years old and whilst I love the player a lot and have always been a fan, Arsenal need to be focusing on signing players around 23 or 24 years old.

“There was a time when they were signing players even younger at 20, which is too young, but 23/24 is the perfect age they should be recruiting quality players at.”

Bayer Leverkusen’s Diaby would be a younger alternative to someone like Zaha. The 23-year-old has impressed this year, scoring 14 goals in all competitions.

His contract with the Bundesliga club is only due to last until 2025 and so they could look to cash in on him this summer.

Reports have suggested that Bayer Leverkusen would want to receive a transfer fee in the region of €60million (£53m). Along with Arsenal, Newcastle have also been monitoring his situation.

Teamtalk

 

[Firebat]

Back to the graveyard of last season on Sunday...

Can't say I'm overly confident

 

[Amjid Javed]

Back to the graveyard of last season on Sunday...

Can't say I'm overly confident

If the back 4 contains holding, kiwor and zinchenko then Arsenal will get a hammering

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Arsenal had the golden chance but didn't properly strengthen in January.

Had Kiwior bit inexplicably played Holding. Heartbreaking tbh

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arsenal had the golden chance but didn't properly strengthen in January.

Had Kiwior bit inexplicably played Holding. Heartbreaking tbh

The summer TW wasn't that great either

We replaced Auba and laca with Jesus

We brought saliba in

Those 2 were huge improvements

Zinchenko replaced tavares and both are liabilities defensively

Vieira was a waste of money.

Winter TW - Trossard top signing

Jorghino signed for so called experience and under used

Kiwor not ready to step up yet

But Edu won't be made accountable for his hit and miss transfers again.

 

[Saj]

Arsenal had the golden chance but didn't properly strengthen in January.

Had Kiwior bit inexplicably played Holding. Heartbreaking tbh

The way City have played of late, I think Arsenal could have signed anyone and they'd still have struggled to stay top.

 

[IMMY69]

Aim before last summer's transfer window was to finish top four this season.
Aim for this summer's transfer window should be to strengthen enough to be competitive in trophies and hopefully win one or two..

 

[shaz619]

Aim before last summer's transfer window was to finish top four this season.
Aim for this summer's transfer window should be to strengthen enough to be competitive in trophies and hopefully win one or two..

I agree with you but am with Amjid on this now, I think Arsenal have blown a golden chance to. If everything goes your away, there’s no guarantee that this opportunity will come again. Arsenal should be proud but we cant’t criticise anyone who will be bitterly disappointed, I don’t think anyone expected them to bow out so easily at the tail end, given the position they got themselves in, winning should have been the main aim

 

[Amjid Javed]

Aim before last summer's transfer window was to finish top four this season.
Aim for this summer's transfer window should be to strengthen enough to be competitive in trophies and hopefully win one or two..

top 4 ain't a trophy.

Don't get this massive fascination fan base has of qualifying for a tournament that Arsenal are going to get beaten black and blue in next season.

If Arsenal don't win a major trophy next season Arteta should gey the sack.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Back to the graveyard of last season on Sunday...

Can't say I'm overly confident

There is a mixed feeling amongst our fanbase, some confident we'll win whilst other's are worried we'll choke due to the pressure Liverpool are putting by going on a winning run.

Personally, I probably sit in the middle. I'd actually settle for a point if I was offered it right now.

If we can get 4 from the next 2, then we just need 3 points from the final 3 games to pretty much secure CL football.

 

[IMMY69]

�� top 4 ain't a trophy.

Don't get this massive fascination fan base has of qualifying for a tournament that Arsenal are going to get beaten black and blue in next season.

If Arsenal don't win a major trophy next season Arteta should gey the sack.

Please stop. You're coming across as a little crazy.
No one is saying top 4 is like winning a trophy.

But top 4 is important.
1. The money that comes with the playing in CL
2. The players teams can attract because they can offer CL football.

 

[Firebat]

Typical Ghostegaard

 

[Firebat]

3 one-on-ones missed...

Could regret those big time. Our defence is not looking very convincing

 

[Firebat]

What a performance from Xhaka today

 

[MenInG]

GOAL - Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal
Fabian Schar own goal

This could settle it!

The goal will go down as a Fabian Schar own goal but it owes more to Gabriel Martinelli, who is found on the left and patiently drives forward before driving a low cross that the Newcastle defender can only stick out a boot to divert home.

The second goal was always going to be crucial.

 

[Amjid Javed]

No pressure and team shows up again *

 

[MenInG]

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, speaking to Sky Sports: "We showed something special here today. To come here and win is not easy. We had to be very smart and to be ugly at times. It is a big step for a young team like ours to come here and do the things we did. It shows we have come a long way.

"Last year here was one of the toughest days of my career, to be honest. After dropping points against Man City, to win against Chelsea and then come here and win shows the mentality. We have to keep going and digging in and fight until the end. It is football, anything can happen and we need to be ready."

Arsenal midfielder Jorginho: "The most important thing is that we go home with three points, as we wanted. We know this league, we know we can't win every game playing beautiful football. I am really pleased to see that our team can play these type of games and understand it is not always possible to just go through with passes. Sometimes you need to fight. I am proud to see us fight to the end.

"This atmosphere is so beautiful. It motivates us to play and gives us fire inside. I have played a few [big games] before. We dream this as a kid and now it is time to enjoy it, it is beautiful."

 

[MenInG]

Arsenal show their strength
This was a huge examination of all the improvements Arsenal have made this season as they walked into the St James' Park hothouse, with expectations high for Newcastle United as they chase Champions League football.

The game began in a wall of sound with Newcastle intent on overpowering Arsenal in a frantic start that had the Gunners in retreat.

For all the premature talk of "chokers" when Arsenal went four league games without a win, they showed there are new reserves of character and resilience to go with all the natural talent they possess.

And no-one exemplifies it more than captain Odegaard, who continued his outstanding season with the crucial first goal, another one of those sweet strikes that have become his trademark.

Arsenal's big concern was that they might pay for their failure to take one of several gilt-edged opportunities in the first half, but they were able to close out this crucial win after Schar's own goal.

And Arsenal showed they have added another side to the game with their attempts to slow the game down to break up Newcastle's rhythm and momentum.

It enraged the home fans and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe's assistant Jason Tindall in particular, but it is a tactic the Magpies have used themselves this season when it has suited them.

Arsenal are still second favourites as they pursue their first title since 2003/2004 but they demonstrated again they are determined to take the race all the way.

 

[Firebat]

Arsenal have hit 80+ points for the first time since 07/08 season, 15 years ago.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I think Arsenal will hit 90 points, they just need to hope there are dropped points in City (the Brighton and Brentford games are where it could be)

As for today, from a Newcastle perspective I wad disappointed with the results and aspects of the performance but credit to Arsenal, they managed the game well in moments (even if they got lucky some of our finishing was dodgy)

 

[MenInG]

Arsenal's journey from also-rans into serious Premier League title contenders is impressive by any measure but can be clearly illustrated by two games on Tyneside separated by almost 12 months.

As Mikel Arteta and his players took the acclaim of Arsenal fans perched high above St James' Park after an outstanding 2-0 win at Newcastle United, any notions that the Gunners would go quietly in the face of Manchester City's relentless charge for a fifth crown in six years receded further into the distance.

Arsenal once again showed a potent mixture of quality and sheer guts to prevail amid the sound and fury of a sensational atmosphere, the Toon Army high on raised expectations that their resurgence will be rewarded with a return to the Champions League next season.

It was all a far cry from their last visit at the back end of last season when Arsenal crumbled in this hothouse, subsiding to a timid 2-0 loss that played a key role in conceding Champions League football to archrivals Tottenham.

Indeed, such was the impact of the loss that manager Mikel Arteta dug out a clip from the game in the club's All Or Nothing fly-on-the-wall documentary series and showed it to Arsenal's players before they left the team hotel.

"We had to feel it," said Arteta after Sunday's win. "It wasn't enough just to talk about it. Not just the players but the staff as well. That feeling that we didn't do enough that day.

"The word was pain and then the desire for revenge. When you have question marks you have to resolve them.

"When you have the emotions we had last year you have to feel them again, realise how nasty they are and approach the game differently. The boys did that well."

It certainly had the desired effect.

"The clip showed us all of our faces, staff included, how hurt we were all feeling," said Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale. "So we had that burning desire as soon as we were leaving the hotel that it wasn't going to be the same today."

This will be far more palatable footage.

Here, in an even more frenzied environment and against a superior Newcastle side, Arsenal turned the tables and once again made a nonsense of the "chokers" label prematurely draped around their necks after four league games without a win.

Arsenal held firm in a frantic start, played out to a deafening Geordie backing track, in which Jacob Murphy hit the post and a penalty awarded against Jakub Kiwior for handball was overturned by VAR.

And at the heart of it all, once more, was Martin Odegaard playing the role of inspirational leader to perfection, producing a moment of individual brilliance that not only stemmed the tide but turned it in Arsenal's favour.

The 24-year-old Norwegian might have seen countryman Erling Haaland become the Premier League's headline act this season but the manner in which he has guided and inspired Arsenal, despite his relatively tender years, deserves credit of its own.

He drilled a low 25-yard drive past Nick Pope for his 15th league goal of the season, an outstanding return when set alongside his other qualities.

Arsenal then dug in as Newcastle turned up the pressure, but this was anything but a backs-to-the-wall survival mission. The Gunners were a serious threat throughout and wrapped up the win when Fabian Schar turned Gabriel Martinelli's cross into his own net with 19 minutes left.

In doing so, Arsenal became only the third team to beat Howe's Newcastle in his 31 home games, joining Liverpool (twice) and Manchester City.

It kept Arsenal on the shoulders of Manchester City, albeit as outsiders one point behind having played a game more.

Arsenal will be disappointed if they do not win the title having held a formidable lead, but no-one can doubt this is now an outstanding team with trophy-winning capabilities for the future.

Odegaard's mind flashed to that grim night at Newcastle last season as he said: "We showed something special here. To come here and win is not easy. We had to be very smart and to be ugly at times. It is a big step for a young team like ours to come here and do what we did today. It shows we have come a long way.

"Last year here was one of the toughest days of my career, to be honest. After dropping points against Manchester City, to win against Chelsea then come here and win shows the mentality. In football, anything can happen and we have to be ready."

And smart and ugly Arsenal were when required, employing what might politely be termed "game management" to slow Newcastle's momentum and break up play.

It enraged the Newcastle fans and management team, especially assistant boss Jason Tindall, but it must be pointed out they have used very similar methods when it has suited them, so any complaints ring rather hollow.

Newcastle, in reality, got a taste of their own medicine.

Arsenal had to show all facets of their game to earn this outstanding win. They are refusing to give up in pursuit of Manchester City, and the celebrations with players and fans at the conclusion showed they still believe the title can be theirs.

BBC

 

[IAJ]

Typical Ghostegaard

Too much hate for him here. He keeps saving Arsenal. 15 goals from midfield positions is just amazing

50 goals for our two norwegian heroes

 

[Technics 1210]

It's not over until the fat lady sings.

 

[Firebat]

He needs to be in an Arsenal shirt next year.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Declan Rice is the only player in Europe's top five leagues with 30+ in these metrics in 22/23:<br><br>◉ 62 interceptions<br>◉ 51 clearances<br>◉ 38 take-ons completed<br>◉ 36 aerial duels won<br>◉ 36 chances created<br>◉ 33 shots<br><br>And he's won possession more times than any other player (322). <a href="https://t.co/UHFW0OqHMF">pic.twitter.com/UHFW0OqHMF</a></p>— Squawka (@Squawka) <a href="https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1655303357546864641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IMMY69]

No pressure and team shows up again ��*

You can't even celebrate a win.
Maybe it's time to put down your space and pull yourself out of the hole.

 

[Saj]

Top win that.

Arsenal should be proud of their efforts this season even if they don't win the League.

 

[IMMY69]

He needs to be in an Arsenal shirt next year.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Declan Rice is the only player in Europe's top five leagues with 30+ in these metrics in 22/23:<br><br>◉ 62 interceptions<br>◉ 51 clearances<br>◉ 38 take-ons completed<br>◉ 36 aerial duels won<br>◉ 36 chances created<br>◉ 33 shots<br><br>And he's won possession more times than any other player (322). <a href="https://t.co/UHFW0OqHMF">pic.twitter.com/UHFW0OqHMF</a></p>— Squawka (@Squawka) <a href="https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1655303357546864641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I really rate this guy and he's PL ready.
He would be my number one target for the Central Midfield position

 

[Abdullah]

Kiwor and holding vs Newcastle on Sunday.

Will be a massacre with Newcastle scoring 3 or 4 at least

Acha. Now tell us that it's because Gabriel played

 

[IMMY69]

Top win that.

Arsenal should be proud of their efforts this season even if they don't win the League.

100pct..

Winning and losing is all part of the game and some people only look at success when the team wins trophies.
But you that's short sighted. Look at the age profile of our team and the way we're playing.
Anyone who thinks we haven't improved in the last two years doesn't really know what they're talking about.
This team is at least one if not two seasons ahead of where it should be and the future looks bright if we buy well in the summer and current crop continue on the same trajectory.

 

[Abdullah]

No pressure and team shows up again &#55358;&#56614;*

What rubbish is this. Lots of people thought today would officially be the end of arsenal's title race.
I think they are right in there now as there will be a time where arsenal have played 37 games and probably be top and city will have only played 35 (after your 2nd last game at forest)
Even if city don't drop point Vs Everton they could easily have nervous moments Vs Chelsea and Brighton and Brentford away