To borrow an old refrain from the Highbury days: "One to nil against Arsenal".
For the second consecutive season, Newcastle United dealt a serious blow to Mikel Arteta's side's title ambitions by winning 1-0 at St James' Park.
However, while last season's win was hotly contested, with Anthony Gordon winning a controversial match, nobody could doubt the Magpies' right to take the three points this time around.
Newcastle was brilliant - committed and superbly organized in defence, while lively and strong in attack.
Eddie Howe's selection worked, with Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock both doing well in midfield, and Lewis Hall was excellent once again to shut down Bukayo Saka. Newcastle's defensive excellence allowed them to win just one goal, and it was a miracle, with Alexander Isak dominating the Arsenal defense as he headed home Gordon's cross in the 12th minute.
After Wednesday's Carabao Cup win against Chelsea, those four days could change Newcastle's season.
Howe kept Willock and Longstaff in his starting line-up, with both players impressing in the Carabao Cup win, which forced Sandro Tonali to the bench.
Willock played an advanced role on the left side, often playing opposite Joelinton, with Gordon remaining on the right side.
Gordon would prefer to be in his usual position on the opposite side of the pitch but can be just as effective on the right, as evidenced by Alexander Isak's 12th-minute assist for the opener. After being denied by Longstaff, Gordon sent a brilliant ball into the center and Isak beat Gabriel to head home.
Arsenal went close when Saka headed in from the back post following a Kai Havertz cross, but Newcastle continued to play with intensity and a high level of physical energy and the hosts went close again midway through the first half.
Willock deflected Bruno Guimaraes' long shot but the ball flew straight to David Raya, who managed to stop it.
Arsenal struggled to create much in open play, but the Gunners have caused problems from set pieces all season and almost equalized from a corner just before half-time.
Declan Rice sent the ball into the center, and William Saliba nodded at the back post, but as ex-Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino curled a shot towards goal, Hall stepped in to produce a crucial counter. Newcastle's defensive commitment was one of their key strengths, with the home side repeatedly preventing Arsenal's creative players from being able to send balls into the box.
The hosts also continued to look at their attacking threat and came close to a second goal in the first minute of the second half. Gordon fed Willock on the right of the box, but the former Arsenal midfielder's shot fell straight to Ray, who saved.
Willock threatened again just before the hour, beating Saliba on the left side of the area, but his rising shot went over the crossbar.
Newcastle suffered a threatening period and Raya was called into action again soon after, denying Isak's fine strike from distance.
Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances after trying in vain to equalize, their best chance wasted in stoppage time when Rice headed Saka's cross at the far post.
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