Mikel Arteta saw his Arsenal side go back to the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
A lucky win for Arsenal as Newcastle were well worth at least a draw.
Eze’s long range goal was the only real goal threat from the home side.
Despite that, the Mikel Arteta reaction to Saturday’s performance was “Much better” from the Gunners.
The Arsenal boss telling BBC Match of the Day: “Much better. We know what is at stake. The margins are really small. We started the game really well, scored a beautiful goal. I loved the personality of the players. We were so disciplined without the ball, we only conceded one chance with Yoane Wissa.”
Mikel Arteta economical with the truth as Newcastle United had the best chances.
As well as Wissa, Osula was played through with just the keeper to beat but missed his kick. Whilst Tonali had an excellent long range effort brilliantly saved by Raya.
Mikel Arteta adding: “We can miss chances but it is how the team reacts immediately and the effort that we put. We have to have something else to win games. We had a huge reset [this week] and I sensed a change in energy in the dressing room. We enjoyed what we had to do and now we play the Champions League against Atletico Madrid in the semi-final which is incredible.”
Mikel Arteta asked about Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze who were both forced off due to injury: “Both of them had to come off, I think it was small niggles. We don’t know the extent of that. Probably tomorrow we will know more.”
Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 25 April 2026 5.30pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Arsenal:
Eze 9
Possession was Newcastle 55% Arsenal 45%
Total shots were Newcastle 13 Arsenal 11
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Arsenal 4
Corners were Newcastle 2 Arsenal 7
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 19 Arsenal 27
Newcastle team v Arsenal:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Bruno (Woltemade 75), Tonali, Ramsey, Willock (Elanga 86), Jacob Murphy (Barnes 66), Osula (Wissa 66)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Alex Murphy, Neave