Jamie Redknapp praised Eberechi Eze’s contribution to the win against Newcastle, but said Arsenal looked “choking with fear” in their hard-fought win at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal moved ahead of Manchester City into first place in the Premier League thanks to Eze’s superb shot from outside the box following a well-worked short corner routine in the ninth minute.
However, the Gunners then struggled for long stretches of the game, losing Kai Havertz to injury in the first half and Eze being sent off early in the second half.
Eze said his sending off was merely precautionary, while Arteta downplayed the seriousness of both problems in his post-match press conference as Arsenal celebrated a narrow victory, although the outcome could have been different had it not been for a clear mistake by Newcastle’s Yoan Wisza.
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Free to watch: Premier League Arsenal vs Newcastle highlights
Arsenal’s sloppy performance created a tense atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium. Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp felt the home side were affected by the pressure of competing for the title.
He said, “You can tell yourself all you want that pressure is a privilege. ‘We’re giving ourselves this opportunity…'”
“But the truth is, sometimes when you’re out there, fear can strangle you. Even the simple things you normally do can be controlled by fear. I think that’s why it’s so difficult because you’ve been doing it since you were 10, 11, maybe one. That’s what’s happening at Arsenal right now.
“Individual mistakes, maybe not every player has the last pass, and that just suffocates you. It stops you from being the player you are.
“That’s why it was so important today that Eze had a really high quality, great moment. That was the real difference and it was a really unbelievable moment.”
Eze’s goal was his seventh of the season in the Premier League and could be his most important as the Gunners remain in contention with Manchester City for the title.
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Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports after his team defeated Newcastle to return to top of the Premier League.
“It was exactly what they needed,” Redknapp added. “And you know we have a back four and a great goalkeeper to protect that lead.
“That’s a lot of three points. If we didn’t win today, I couldn’t see a way back to them.
“But now they’re giving themselves a great chance to build on this and get back to a winning record, because I think they have to be perfect at the end of the season.”
Paul Merson was equally impressed with Eze’s contribution. “Well, that’s why they bought him,” he said on Sky Sports. “They bought Eze for his magic. He has magic.
“He’s very exciting and plays very freely. Not many people can score goals like that.
“He is the X-factor, you have to get the X-factor on the pitch and they are the ones who will make the difference.
“He gave it all back in one game.”
