Newcastle United rattled Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium to snare a point from the Premier League leaders. And they were good value for it as Eddie Howe's side displayed both a threat on the break and defensive grit at the other end.
On a night in which Howe's team only had 33 per cent possession they still created eight goal attempts to stay involved in both the Champions League race and the title conversation. Howe opted to make a tweak in his front three for the encounter at the Emirates Stadium with Callum Wilson coming back into the team for Chris Wood.
Joelinton was also selected ahead of Allan Saint-Maximin with the French winger still waiting for his first Premier League since August. On a rainy but mild winter evening in the capital, Sean Longstaff won a free-kick just 90 seconds into the game but Kieran Trippier's delivery was cleared by the home side.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs Newcastle United Highlights and reaction
Arsenal responded a minute later with some pressure on Nick Pope's goal but Martin Odegaard blazed over when handed a glimpse of goal. On five minutes England ace Bukayo Saka got past Dan Burn down the right but Pope was on hand to save with his feet.
Another forward run with the ball saw him pick out Gabriel Martinelli and then Granit Xhaka but the Swiss international could only fire it against the side netting. With 10 minutes on the clock, Callum Wilson struck a shot on the turn but it was easy for Aaron Ramsdale to gather low down.
A Trippier corner on 16 minutes found Fabian Schar but he could only direct his header high and wide. The two sides were locked at 0-0 as the game entered the mid-way stage of the first half.
In a niggling encounter both Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes were booked for fouls as they tried to disrupt the Gunners. Odegaard was then cautioned for hauling back Bruno as the midfield battle intensified.
A VAR check for a possible penalty after Burn was shoved in the box was waved away by Andy Madley four minutes before the break. And there was time for Joelinton to miss a good chance at the back post at the end of first half stoppage time.
But the two sides went in level at the break in a fiercely contested encounter. Xhaka - booked in the opening exchanges - was lucky not to see red when he fouled Joelinton after the break.
With 57 minutes played it was Joelinton who joined them in the book as Madley whipped out another caution for a foul on Saka. Incredibly, seconds later, Almiron became the fourth Toon star to be carded after he did not retreat the correct yardage for what proved to be a wasted Arsenal free-kick.
The game passed the hour mark with the scores still level at 0-0 with both sides making it difficult for each other. Howe opted to make two offensive changes as he withdrew two of his carded players in Wilson and Almiron.
Chris Wood and Jacob Murphy took up attacking positions with the game still wide open. Arsenal caused problems with a corner on 79 minutes but it was headed wide by Gabriel after Saka's corner.
Murphy had a chance to get the ball into the danger area on the right with six minutes but his cross was poor. Saint-Maximin was afforded the final four minutes of the game as he replaced the tiring Willock.
However, it was Pope who dug the Magpies out of trouble with three minutes to go when he made a superb stop from point-blank range to deny Nketiah. Substitute Wood went through on goal in the first of five minutes of stoppage time but delayed his decision in the box and eventually played Bruno in when he was offside.
Newcastle survived a late penalty shout after the ball bounced off Murphy but even after a VAR check it was waved away. It proved to be the last significant piece of the action and Newcastle left the Emirates far happier with the point than their hosts.
Newcastle went toe to toe with the table toppers and showed - with just one defeat all season - they are still worthy of their tag of title candidates as we hit the halfway stage of the campaign.
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