Arsenal’s Premier League title cost was checked because the leaders may discover no means via third-placed Newcastle United in a disappointing 0-0 draw at The Emirates on Tuesday.
Victory would have given Arsenal a 10-point lead however they needed to make do with a degree towards a rock-solid Newcastle who defended fantastically to stay unbeaten since August.
The closest the hosts got here to breaking the impasse was within the 87th minute when Newcastle keeper Nick Pope made an important save to maintain out a low shot by Eddie Nketiah whereas Arsenal additionally had a vociferous late penalty declare waved.
It is the primary time Arsenal have dropped dwelling factors this season whereas Newcastle have saved 10 clear sheets.
Eddie Howe’s guests have been content material to sit down deep for a lot of the night and look forward to probabilities from counter-attacks though Joelinton wasted an excellent alternative earlier than the break.
The draw was a good end result although, leaving Arsenal on 44 factors from 17 video games, eight forward of Manchester City who’ve performed a recreation much less and 9 in entrance of Newcastle.
Arsenal flew out of the traps and pinned Newcastle again within the opening exchanges with vast males Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli each wanting harmful.
Martinelli’s reduce from the left induced panic within the visiting defence and the ball finally fell to captain Martin Odegaard who blazed a shot over.
Saka examined Pope however the keeper who has now saved six successive clear sheets in all competitions was equal to every part Arsenal may conjure in assault.
Joelinton headed Newcastle’s greatest probability vast in first-half stoppage time and the guests started the second half on the entrance foot earlier than retreating into their very own half.
Nketiah appeared like profitable it late on however Pope made an important cease whereas in stoppage time Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta was seething when a penalty was not given for handball after a cross by Granit Xhaka was blocked by Jacob Murphy.
Had it been given it will have been extraordinarily harsh on Newcastle who confirmed once more they’ll compete with the large boys.
