Result: Newcastle 2-0 Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Date: 16 May 2022
Venue: St James’ Park
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, White, Tavares, Elneny, Xhaka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Saka, Nketiah.
Subs: Leno, Cedric, Swanson, Oulad M’Hand, Lokonga, Patino, Martinelli, Pepe, Lacazette
Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered a crushing blow at St James’ Park as Newcastle ran out 2-0 winners.
A Ben White own goal and a late strike by Bruno Guimaraes did the damage as the Gunners’ stretched squad ran out of steam when a win was a necessity.
The result leaves the Gunners two points behind Sp*rs heading into the final match of the season which, coupled with our neighbours’ superior goal difference, means our only chance of finishing above them is if they suffer an unlikely defeat to relegated Norwich.
It’s heartbreaking to say it, but it looks like we’ll have to settle for Europa League football.
Pre-game
Having left White Hart Lane unsure whether he’d be able to cobble together a functioning defence for the remainder of the season, it was a big plus for Mikel Arteta that both Gabriel and Ben White were fit enough to start, especially with Rob Holding suspended. It also allowed him to field Takehiro Tomiyasu in his preferred right-back position with Nuno Tavares tasked with marshalling the left flank. Emile Smith Rowe was given the nod ahead of Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank, otherwise, it was the same side that started on Thursday.
First Half
Given the frenetic pre-game atmosphere, the home side were always going to come out fast. We really didn’t want to give them anything to cheer about so when Ramsdale twice slipped over clearing the ball inside two minutes, the omens weren’t great.
Our keeper’s nervy start continued when Almiron closed him down in the six-yard box and nearly had his tenacity rewarded with a goal. When our keeper slipped over a third time on 17 minutes, he started to look concerned by his footwear. It was like he was playing on ice.
He wasn’t much better with his hands. A cross from the right went straight through him and he was thankful for White’s presence and emergency clearance. By that point, the centre-back had already gone in the book for a foul on Wilson.
Having barely got into the Newcastle half in the opening 20 minutes, two Saka efforts, the first blocked and the second scuffed, hinted at life in the Gunners attacking unit. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
Given they’ve rarely dominated possession this season, it was hugely frustrating that we let Newcastle have so much of the ball. They won eight corners in the first half and came close to breaking the deadlock via Joelinton’s head only for Tomiyasu to get a vital touch. Ramsdale was also forced into a fine save as Saint-Maximin arrowed a low drive at his near post after cutting in off the left flank.
The tempo was momentarily sucked from the game when Tomiyasu went down with an injury. As Arteta held an impromptu team talk, the Japan international, clutching his hamstring, was replaced by Cedric. The halftime whistle came as a relief.
Second half
The opening minutes of the second period were overshadowed by a head injury to Schar who had a coming together with Nketiah as the pair challenged for the ball in the air. Our striker went in the book as the Swiss defender underwent treatment. He was replaced by Lascelles, who took to the field as a concussion substitute.
When the game restarted, Newcastle continued to dominate the centre of the park. Arteta didn’t wait long to switch things up. Smith Rowe, who looked completely out of sorts, was replaced by Martinelli. The Brazilian’s introduction buoyed the travelling fans who turned up the volume. Almost immediately they were silenced.
After Tavares was penalised for a foul throw, the home side worked the ball from back to front, eventually freeing Joelinton to race into space down the left. The Brazilian played a dangerous low ball towards the near post where White, stretching to stop it from reaching Wilson, diverted it into his own net. (1-0)
Having not won an away game coming from behind this season, the goal felt like a dagger in the heart. Now needing two goals, Arteta sacrificed Tavares, went three at the back and asked Lacazette to partner Nketiah.
It didn’t change much. Newcastle continued to dominate and Wilson came close to doubling their lead with a flying volley that flew just over Ramsdale’s bar. We just couldn’t build up a head of steam, not helped by Martinelli and Lacazette both requiring treatment.
Elneny did test Dubravka with an effort from range but that was the best we could offer heading into the final 20 minutes. We were living by the skin of our teeth and were thankful for a great block by White to deny Wilson.
Due to the earlier concussion substitution, we were allowed another change and sent on Pepe for Gabriel. Xhaka retreated to the backline, if you can call it that.
We had nothing to lose but now looked seriously disjointed – loads of players up top, but nobody behind to bring any sense of order to things. When Pepe gave away the ball making a simple 10-yard pass, Ramsdale had to dig us out of a hole when Murphy went one-on-one on the break. There was a cockiness about the Geordies exemplified by Wilson trying his luck from miles out. His effort just went wide.
The reprieve was temporary. With six minutes remaining, Newcastle finally doubled their lead as Guimaraes pounced on a loose ball to slide home a finish that beat the despairing dives of White and Cedric. (2-0)
Any hopes of finishing fourth were extinguished in that moment. There can be no complaints about the result this evening. We knew what we had to do and didn’t at any point get to grips with the task at hand.
On the touchline, Arteta looked forlorn. He and his players have worked so hard this season. They’ve dared to dream of the Champions League but, barring a miracle at Carrow Road on Sunday, we’re going to come up short.