
‘Cruel’ to judge Arsenal’s Champions League knockout return on last-gasp Porto defeat, Arteta says
Arsenal host Newcastle in the Premier League as the Gunners look to bounce back from midweek disappointment to claim a crucial win in the title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten 1-0 by Porto in the first-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, losing to Galeno’s late winner, and now face another side who have caused them a fair amount of frustration in recent seasons. Eddie Howe’s visitors handed Arsenal their first Premier League defeat of the campaign in November in what was a fractious affair at St James’ Park, and also held the Gunners to a goalless draw at the Emirates last season.
But before their defeat in Portugal, Arsenal were flying and have won five in a row in the Premier League. With Liverpool not in action this weekend, Arteta’s side can go two points off the top of the table with a win but Newcastle will be looking to spoil the party against Arsenal once again. Howe’s side will have to improve defensively, however, with the Magpies conceding 18 goals in their last five in the Premier League.
Follow live updates from Arsenal vs Newcastle in today’s live blog and get the latest tips and match odds on the Premier League fixture, here:
Manchester City just about manage to hang on at Bournemouth to close the gap to leaders Liverpool to just one point.
Phil Foden’s goal was the difference on the south coast, but the hosts dominated the closing stages and an equaliser would have been deserved…
If Arsenal match their result tonight and beat Newcastle, the top three would be separated by just two points…
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 19:34
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
After visibly celebrating a block he thought had secured a draw, Mikel Arteta was in a notably different mood after a late 1-0 defeat. He seemed quite angry in the Dragao press room. Whether that was with his team or the referee was hard to say, since he had critical words about both.
One line still stood out in a curt press conference.
“We really dominated the game but we lacked purpose.”
His great predecessor used to have another phrase for this, as Arsene Wenger would talk about “sterile domination”. There was a little more going on here, though, which was why so little happened on the pitch. Arsenal just never hurt Porto or even looked like hurting Porto.
It was more than “purpose”. It was focus, or maybe an urgency. It was also the first big match in a long time when Arsenal were expected to win – and they didn’t.
Latest read from The Independent’s chief football writer, Miguel Delaney
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 19:29
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Newcastle once again have a claim to be the Premier League’s great entertainers, though it would hardly have been Eddie Howe’s plan to channel the spirit of Kevin Keegan’s 1990s side quite like this.
Newcastle may be eighth in the table but they lead the Premier League in a different category: with 94, Newcastle’s matches have featured more goals than any other team so far this season. The problem for Howe is the goals have been flying in at both ends, as illustrated by the scorelines of their last three outings: a 4-4 against Luton, a 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest and a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth. The joint-best defence in the Premier League last season has become porous this campaign, cut adrift from the top-four race.
But as Newcastle head to Arsenal, perhaps they can take some inspiration from a different sort of reputation. To Mikel Arteta and the Gunners, Newcastle have often been the great irritators and, in denying Arteta’s side, they have played the role to considerable success.
Big-match preview ahead of Arsenal vs Newcastle
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 19:18
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Wow – incredible team news at the Emirates, as Loris Karius starts in goal for the visitors! The former Liverpool goalkeeper has only made one previous appearance for Newcaslte – in last year’s Carabao Cup final – but he replaces Martin Dubravka, who is not in the away squad.
Alexander Isak and Tino Livramento also start, with Harvey Barnes and Dan Burn dropping out.
Arseanl make just one change, with Jorginho coming into midfield for Leandro Trossard. The big news, though, is Gabriel Jesus is back on the bench.
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 19:06
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Newcastle XI: Karius; Trippier, Schaar, Botman, Livramento; Guimaraes, Miley, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 19:03
Arsenal v Newcastle team news
The teams have been announced. Here’s how Arsenal and Newcastle line up this evening
Luke Baker24 February 2024 19:03
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
We’ll have team news from the Emirates in the next few minutes:
Anyone expecting any big surprises from Arteta following on from Wednesday night?
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 18:57
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last five but all talk this week has been on off-field issues with sporting director Dan Ashworth accepting a position at Manchester United.
Ashworth was placed on garden leave earlier this week after telling the club he wanted to leave St James’ Park after just 20 months to take up a similar role at Old Trafford.
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 18:47
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Declan Rice admitted Arsenal need to be more “savvy”after their late defeat in midweek.
Galeno’s brilliant last-gasp strike earned the hosts a 1-0 victory but Rice thinks Arsenal have to look at themselves.
“I think the last minute is probably a bit of inexperience,” Rice replied when asked if Arteta’s young team were on a steep learning curve.
“Just probably having a bit more savviness, in terms of it’s the 93rd minute, you look up at the clock, it’s 0-0, we gave a ball away on the edge of our box twice and then he bends one in the top bins.
“So we have got to have a bit of savviness to see out the game, because if you can’t win, definitely don’t lose – especially in a knockout game. But look, we are still positive. It is half-time in a two-leg tie and we will be ready for the next leg.
“You look at our team, we are such a young group. Some of us have not played in the Champions League before, so it is all about learning on the job.
“But we have to play better than we did tonight. They made it really tough, but in the second leg we will be ready to go and give it everything.
“I think it is good to have nerves – you get that experience and you need that to play in the biggest games. Whether there is nerves or no nerves, I think these are the type of games we need to learn from on the way and it is going to make us better overall.”
(PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 18:26
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use their last-gasp defeat to Porto as extra fuel for their Premier League title challenge.
“What happened in another competition is there, but what you cannot deny is what is in your tummy after a defeat,” Arteta said.
“We have to use it in a really powerful way to be better.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta bemoned his side’s first-leg defeat in Porto
(PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood24 February 2024 18:13
