Martin Keown says two Newcastle United players are being protected after beating Arsenal

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Arsenal legend Martin Keown has praised Newcastle United for their approach to Saturday’s game.

Newcastle United beat Arsenal 1-0 at St James’ Park, with Alexander Isak scoring the only goal of the game.

The Magpies struck early, with Isak scoring a header in the 12th minute after a beautiful cross from Anthony Gordon.

After that moment, Newcastle United had a lead to defend, and Eddie Howe’s side showed tremendous spirit to keep a rather underwhelming Arsenal side at bay.

The Gunners did not create enough changes, with Nick Pope barely having a save to make. Newcastle got the balance spot on, with the tactical decision to play Joelinton on the left wing working perfectly.

Howe also opted to deploy Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes, with Sandro Tonali missing out. It was harsh to drop him after Tonali’s performance against Chelsea, but it has proven to be the correct decision.

Martin Keown praises Newcastle United midfield’s role against Arsenal

And it is a decision that Martin Keown thinks allowed Newcastle to defend one of their biggest weaknesses.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Keown noted that Fabian Schar and Dan Burn do not have a lot of pace at centre-back, but Howe’s tactics ensured that they were not exposed.

“I think they found a way to protect their central defenders,” he said.

“Not to dig anyone out, but there’s a lack of pace there. But if you’re going to bring everybody back in front as they did with their midfield – their midfield worked tremendously, a very workman-like midfield.

“They’re protecting those two players so they’re not going to be in any way isolated. They sat on the edge of their own box for a large period. They managed the game really very well, but that’s what they’re going to have to continue to do to get the right balance.”

Newcastle tried to address that problem in the summer

One week before Newcastle’s win over Arsenal, they were beaten at Stamford Bridge by Chelsea. Newcastle’s lack of speed at the back was exposed that day, with the Blues taking full advantage.

Howe now appears to have rectified that problem, going back to the midfield three that guided Newcastle into the Champions League.

The team looks a lot more settled and balanced, and Shearer believes Newcastle should stick with the starting XI from the Arsenal game moving forwards.

The current system ensures that Burn and Schar are not exposed, which is an issue that the club tried to address over the summer.

Marc Guehi was a major transfer target for Newcastle, and he would have added the level of pace that the Magpies are missing at the back. Sadly for Paul Mitchell, he was unable to strike a deal with Crystal Palace.

That has forced Howe to find solutions with the players he already had, and it looks as if he has now found that solution.