‘It’s not done’ – Arsenal back up Rice’s words with crucial win

Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle marked a turning point in their bid for the Premier League title, proving Declan Rice’s defiant statement after a recent loss to Manchester City. The Gunners secured a 1-0 win, moving three points ahead of their rivals in the title race. This came after a midweek defeat to Pep Guardiola’s team, which Mikel Arteta described as the start of “a new league.”

The win was pivotal, ending Arsenal’s back-to-back losses and restoring confidence. Eberechi Eze’s standout performance, including a decisive strike, underscored their resilience. With the match against Newcastle, the team demonstrated their determination to challenge Manchester City once more.

Arteta emphasized the importance of this “game one,” stating,

“We had to do what was in our hands and we discussed that. Game one is in our hands, what we do and how we approach the game. Are we able to win it? We’ve done it.”

He acknowledged the difficulty of the task but praised the team’s effort, saying,

“We wanted bigger margins. It’s not been possible but we certainly have done the job.”

Despite the win, Arsenal remain in a tight race with Manchester City. The reigning champions currently hold a slight edge due to their head-to-head record, though the gap is narrowing. The result also elevated Arsenal’s chances, with Opta projecting a 72.44% likelihood of securing the title, compared to City’s 27.56%.

Glenn Murray, a former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker, highlighted the team’s grit on BBC Radio 5 Live:

“Arsenal have given absolutely everything on that pitch. You can’t question their fight.”

Captain Martin Odegaard echoed this sentiment, explaining that the squad is driven by their collective desire to end a 22-year trophy drought. He noted,

“It was tough, very intense, very physical. We did everything we could and we got the win. The most important thing was to bounce back with a win and get over the line with the three points.”

Champions League on the horizon

With the Premier League title race intensifying, Arsenal’s attention now shifts to the Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid. Odegaard admitted the demanding schedule, saying,

“This schedule is crazy. We just have to keep going. It is the end of the season, just leave everything out that we have inside, fight every single game and we just have to keep going.”

The team is ready to face the challenges ahead.

However, the win wasn’t flawless. Arsenal’s expected goals (xG) against Newcastle totaled just 0.64—their second-lowest in a Premier League game at the Emirates this season. The lowest xG, 0.57, occurred in a 0-0 draw against Liverpool in January. The final moments of the match saw frantic defending, as the team desperately tried to protect their lead. A late chance by Yoanne Wissa narrowly missed, showcasing the tension in the encounter.

Key players like Kai Havertz and Eze faced setbacks, with Havertz leaving the game due to a muscular injury and Eze exiting after a similar issue. Arteta remains hopeful both will be available for the upcoming fixtures, which could further solidify Arsenal’s position in the title race.