Newcastle United outlasted Premier League leaders Arsenal to earn a point at Emirates Stadium by playing the EPL Leaders to a draw.
Arsenal were hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table to ten points, but were drawn into an attritional and tenacious battle by a Newcastle United side with top-four ambitions of their own.
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Newcastle’s Joelinton arguably squandered the best of them all when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy in first-half stoppage time.
Arsenal’s Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli both sent headers narrowly off target, while Newcastle keeper Nick Pope made a crucial late save with his legs from Eddie Nketiah.
When Gabriel was hauled back by Dan Burn, the Gunners appeared to have a clear penalty claim rejected.
Despite being held at home, the game devolved into a scrappy affair with seven yellow cards, and the deadlock remained unbroken, with Arsenal leading by eight points.
Although it is still early January, Arsenal’s Arteta’s frantic touchline behavior may have provided an insight into the growing expectations surrounding the Gunners following their outstanding season thus far.
Arteta spent much of the night on the edge of his technical area, confronting fourth official Jarred Gillett when only five minutes were added on at the end, then moving towards opposite number Eddie Howe after late penalty appeals were denied before being ushered away.
It certainly did not exude calm when it was required, as Newcastle’s tenacious defensive approach and desire to drag Arsenal into a dogfight led to frustration all around.
When Arteta calms down, he can still assess a job well done, but this was a night when his Arsenal team ran into a formidable barrier in the form of Newcastle, their work deteriorating after a bright start, though they still came close at the end through Nketiah.
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Arsenal maintains its eight-point lead, despite the fact that Manchester City has a game in hand.
It was never going to be easy for the Gunners, and this was one of those times, with Arteta’s demeanor reflecting what Newcastle will regard as a highly satisfactory outcome.
