Arsenal won 1-0 against Newcastle, with Kai Havertz and Ebelesi Eze out injured, moving them three points ahead of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Eze scored the winning goal in the 9th minute with a superb shot from the edge of the box from a superb corner kick, but he was sent off in the second half for going off the ball.
After Havertz was sent off in the first period, the striker also grounded out to replace him. Eze was able to get off and immediately sit on the bench, but Havertz wore a gloomy expression as he headed straight down the tunnel.
Manchester City’s defeat of Burnley on Wednesday knocked Arsenal out of the Premier League top spot, but they had to work hard to regain top spot despite Eze’s early goal.
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Eberechi Eze’s shock goal was enough to return Arsenal to the top of the Premier League
Their sloppiness allowed the out-of-form visitors to gain a foothold into the game and they had a chance to equalize in an anxious final minute for the home fans, but substitute Nick Woltemade forced the ball into goal before Ioan Wissa wasted a shot.
Arsenal struggled to build momentum after Eze’s goal and did little, but the return of Bukayo Saka as a substitute, making his first appearance since losing to Manchester City in last month’s Carabao Cup final, showed only slight improvement.
The England international also helped create a chance for Martin Odegaard with a deflected shot just wide of the target shortly after his introduction, but his effort was denied by Nick Pope.
Arsenal felt lucky to avoid a red card, having previously only been booked for a foul on Victor Gokeres when Newcastle’s goalkeeper darted in front of goal as he followed a long pass.
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Yoan Ouissa missed a big chance for Newcastle after receiving a deft pass from Nick Woltemade.
Arsenal had another chance to decide the game seven minutes into stoppage time, but they failed to do so and Newcastle kept up the pressure.
They had another chance when Dan Byrne headed straight to David Raya, who saved from Sandro Tonali.
It was Newcastle’s fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League, which has continued to be a disappointing season. Meanwhile, Arsenal could celebrate their return to the top of the Premier League despite injury concerns ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
Eze looked comfortable moving as he joined his team-mates on the pitch after the final whistle, but Havertz’s forced exit appears to be a bigger concern after an injury-hit season.
After receiving treatment, Havertz made his way down the tunnel.
Eze left the pitch with Arsenal’s physio
Eze spoke to Mikel Arteta before sitting on the bench
More to come…
