Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners keep title dream alive

Arsenal kept their title hopes alive as they produced one of their performances of the season in a 2-0 win at Newcastle.

It initially looked like the visitors would succumb to a Magpie blitz, but Martin Odegaard struck against the run of play to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead. The skipper’s strike ignited the Gunners, and they subsequently had the three best chances of the first half.

Nick Pope, however, denied Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Odegaard on each occasion.

The second period started at a roaring pace with opportunities arriving at both ends. Martinelli hit the bar after Alexander Isak hit the post and Aaron Ramsdale wonderfully saved Fabian Schar’s header.

The Newcastle defender then had a major say at the other end as he converted Martinelli’s cross into his own net to double Arsenal’s advantage.

Eddie Howe’s men huffed and puffed thereafter in a bid to get back into the contest, but Arsenal’s defence held firm to secure a significant away victory which kept them in the title race.

Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Sunday’s win at St. James’ Park.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 7.5/10 – Was a busy afternoon for Rambo, but he most certainly stepped up with a couple of fantastic saves. A well-earned clean sheet.

Ben White (RB) – 6/10 – Got rolled by the crafty Isak a couple of times in the opening period, but largely stuck to his task well, especially in the closing stages.

Jakub Kiwior (CB) – 8/10 – This felt like a litmus test for Kiwior after impressing against Chelsea, and the Pole barely put a foot wrong. If only Arteta had opted to include him a month earlier…

Gabriel (CB) – 6/10 – Perhaps a rare occasion where Gabriel was outshone by his centre-back partner. The Brazilian wasn’t overly busy on Tyneside.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 4.5/10 – Hooked on the hour after another erratic defensive showing.

Continued on the next slide…