Newcastle United have failed to pull further clear of Fulham in the Premier League, losing 2-0 at home at Arsenal.
The Magpies’ unbeaten run came to an end against the Gunners, who have now defeated Newcastle three times in the 2020/21 season.
It was a comfortable afternoon for Mikel Arteta’s side, who dominated possession and restricted the hosts to very few chances.
The opening goal came from an unlikely source – Mohamed Elneny tucking away an effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then added a second, converting a Gabriel Martinelli cross at the back post, before substitute Fabian Schar received a red card for a rash challenge on the Brazilian.
On the opening goal Elneny connected well with his strike, and Dubravka got a hand to the ball but was unable to tip it wide.
In the eyes of Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane, the Slovakia international should have done better.
He said at half-time during Sky’s coverage of the game: “For me, the ‘keeper has to save this. To me he’s got a good hand to it, he has to save it. Not good enough.”
Disappointing from Dubravka
It was a decent strike from Elneny, but the 32-year-old really should have been saving it.
There were also some question marks against him on the second goal – perhaps he could have anticipated Martinelli’s cross and claimed it before it reached Aubameyang.
His showing will now have some clamouring for a return to the starting XI for Karl Darlow, although recent results with Dubravka back in the team haven’t been too bad.
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