With Arsenal level on points with Leicester but edging the Foxes out on goal difference, the Gunners hosted Newcastle while the Foxes played high-flying Bournemouth at home.
The away side seemed to be the ones with the best chances created and Arsenal had Petr Cech to thank as the big goalie continued to make several saves from Giogiornio Wijnaldum. There were also close shaves from Chance Mbemba and Aleksandr Mitrovic. It’s not as if it was all about Newcastle, Arsenal had chances of their own with Olivier Giroud trying to get on the end of some good crosses but it took as long as 70+ minutes before the telling stat came up…Giroud showing great determination to win a header before Laurent Koscielny reacted the quickest to toe poke the ball home.
Late on, Mesut Ozil teed up Aaron Ramsey that made fools of two Newcastle defenders before firing his goal-bound shot wide. It also meant that Arsenal have only won two Premier League games without a goal or an assist from Mesut Ozil this season – both against Newcastle.
With Leicester dropping points against Bournemouth, no thanks to Riyad Mahrez missed penalty, Manchester City maintained their title chase with a grounded out victory against Watford, this victory over Newcastle has put the Gunners in the driving seat.
Sayonara
