Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League following a nervy 1-0 victory over Newcastle at the Emirates on Saturday.
Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of them game after nine minutes with a sublime curling strike.
But it proved to be a far from comfortable afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s side, who survived a couple of glorious Newcastle chances and failed to take several of their own.
The result means the Gunners return to the summit, opening up a three point lead over Manchester City albeit having played one game more.
For Newcastle, it extends a miserable recent run of results, with the Magpies’ faint hopes of securing European football for next season looking ever more unlikely.
The hosts were looking for a positive response after squandering their place at the top of the table to City.
A special Eze goal
And it took less than 10 minutes for the Gunners to break the deadlock, courtesy of a sublime Eze strike from distance.
A well-worked short corner found its way to the Arsenal number 10 on the edge of the area. The England international took it first time, curling a wonderful right-footed effort into the far top corner to light up the Emirates.
It was exactly the kind of start Arteta would have hoped for. The Gunners were looking largely comfortable, with Noni Maduake and Martin Odegaard causing problems for the Magpies.
Midway through the half, however, Sandro Tonali nearly caught out David Raya with a fierce strike from 30 yards, but, despite the swerving ball, the Spaniard did enough to palm away.
A nervy second half
Arsenal’s goalscorer hobbled off shortly after the break, with Arsenal struggling to look threatening as they tried to increase their advantage.
Arteta’s men were fortunate not to be pegged back when Yoane Wissa blasted wildly over the bar for the visitors.
With the nerves growing among the home section of the Emirates, Viktor Gyokeres wasted a good counter attacking move when his ball to Bukayo Saka lacked the quality to find his teammate.
Despite doing it the hard way, Arsenal held on for a vital three points in the title race – much to the relief of the club’s fanbase.
Line-ups
Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Martin Odegaard, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze
Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman
Newcastle starting XI: Nick Pope, Lewis Miley, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey, Jacob Murphy, William Osula, Joe Willock
Newcastle substitutes: Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall, Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Alex Murphy, Sean Neave
