Arsenal’s Newcastle turnaround showed how much players want title – Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is confident his team “wants it” after witnessing their gritty performance to secure victory at Newcastle and close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The champions’ 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday had presented the Gunners with an opportunity 24 hours later. However, at St James’ Park, it initially seemed like one they might pass up. With just six minutes remaining, Newcastle led 1-0 thanks to Nick Woltemade’s 34th-minute header. Yet, goals from substitute Mikel Merino and, dramatically, defender Gabriel in the sixth minute of stoppage time secured a thrilling 2-1 win for Arsenal.
Arteta reflected on the result, saying:
“There are moments in the season and obviously with the start that we had already and the difficult fixtures that we had, today we had the opportunity to close that gap, and do it in a stadium that has a very recent and difficult past for us. I think it shows how much the team wants it.”
For long periods, Arsenal were the superior side, but Newcastle’s goalkeeper Nick Pope was exceptional, making a series of fine saves. Newcastle’s stubborn defending kept Arsenal at bay until the dramatic conclusion.
The victory ended Arsenal’s run of three successive defeats at St James’ Park in all competitions — a stat not lost on the stand-in captain Bukayo Saka. Saka also highlighted a moment when his side was denied an early penalty after a challenge by Pope on Viktor Gyökeres. Despite the referee Jarred Gillett reviewing the decision, no penalty was awarded.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Saka said:
“It was a big result. We’ve come here in the past and results have gone against us, or decisions and stuff like that. It was starting to feel like that again today, but we have a big character, a big fight to turn it around, so we’re really happy.”
He continued:
“In the past, we’ve come here and had decisions go against us and whatnot, and almost today, with the penalty and some of the decisions, and Nick Pope having an unbelievable game. But we dug in and we showed that character, that resilience we have, so I’m really proud of all the boys. We made a big statement today. It’s really good for us, you can see it in all of our faces.”
Saka, who was returning from injury, watched the late drama unfold from the sidelines after completing a 70-minute comeback run-out. On the final whistle, he expressed his satisfaction:
“I felt really good out there. I felt we dominated the game, we controlled it, and at the end, we got what we deserved. It’s a beautiful feeling every time I get to wear the armband, and even better when we get three points, so I’m really happy.”
This vital win sees Arsenal maintaining their pursuit of the Premier League leaders, boosting their confidence as the season progresses.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/arsenals-newcastle-turnaround-showed-how-much-players-want-title-mikel-arteta-1812469.html
