TOPS
The leader of the Gunners, it is him. The Norwegian made his technical palette and his vision of the game speak by placing himself at the origin of almost every dangerous opportunity for Arsenal, especially in the first half. His very high level performance against Newcastle on Sunday (0-2 victory) was validated by a goal on one of the only occasions when he was not at the start, to be at the conclusion. He scored his 15th goal of the season with a left-footed strike from outside the box that left Nick Pope helpless.
In the second half, he took over. Struggling in the first 45 minutes, he came back from the locker room with much better choices. In his percussion on his left side he seemed in total control, where the opposing defenders could never really contain him. In the 71st minute, he disorganized his vis-à-vis to center in the six mothers of Nick Pope, forcing Fabian Schär to make the fatal error, that of the second goal of the Gunners.
Arteta’s players come out of the game with no goals conceded. A 13th “clean sheet” this season in the Premier League – as well as Newcastle and Liverpool, only Man United do better (15) – that Ramsdale can appreciate. The London goalkeeper pulled off some serious saves to keep the Magpies in check. And there were plenty of opportunities. Undoubtedly England’s best goalkeeper this year, he made five saves on Sunday, all of them decisive.
FLOPS
Despite the defeat, Newcastle have little to be ashamed of. Swiss defender Fabian Schär will certainly blame himself for having scored for Arsenal, the second goal of the game. It must be said that the tumble and the center of Martinelli were well felt. His reading of the situation was not good, his intervention either and despite solidity throughout the game, it is the gesture that we will remember from his performance.
Newcastle may have regrets because Eddie Howe’s players have created a lot of clear chances. When there was no Ramsdale, there was the post. The attacking players were all more or less successful, mainly in the first half, but the hardest thing in football is to score goals and that’s what was lacking in the 3rd in the championship. Manchester United, who play this Sunday evening at West Ham, will have the opportunity to regain 3rd place.