Eze’s goal fires Arsenal back to the top with win over Newcastle

By Tolulope Oke

Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to an early wondergoal from Ebere Eze.

The crucial strike came in the 10th minute, with a set-piece routine that caught the visitors completely off guard. Martin Ødegaard’s clever dummy allowed Noni Madueke to slide the ball into Kai Havertz, who laid it off to Eze.

From the edge of the box, the England international fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner, beyond the reach of Nick Pope. The goal, Eze’s 10th of the season, could prove to be one of the most significant in the Gunners’ title bid.

Newcastle, who have been struggling with form, nearly got off to an ideal start when William Osula’s miskick let them off the hook. Bruno Guimarães also had a chance from distance but fired over the bar.

Arsenal weathered those early storms and grew into the game. That goal from Eze was Arsenal’s 17th from a corner this season, breaking the Premier League record for most goals from set-pieces in a single campaign.

While the Gunners looked to build on their advantage, Newcastle refused to go quietly. David Raya had to make a scrambling save from Sandro Tonali’s long-range effort, but the game would take another turn when Havertz was forced off in the 34th minute with a muscle injury. Viktor Gyökeres came on in his place, but Arsenal continued to push forward, with both teams failing to create anything clear-cut for the remainder of the first half.

Newcastle’s struggles in front of goal continued into the second half, but Arsenal wasn’t without their own moments of nervousness.

After some sloppy defending, Yoane Wissa had a great chance to level the scores, but his volley sailed wide. At the other end, Bukayo Saka—returning from a month-long injury layoff-was lively as ever, cutting inside to curl a shot just wide after coming on late in the match. Moments later, Gabriel Martinelli’s overhead kick from a corner was easily gathered by Pope.

As the game ticked into added time, Newcastle threw everything they had at Arsenal, launching a series of crosses into the box.

Yet, the Gunners’ defence held firm, led by Gabriel and William Saliba, who were resolute in the final stages. With seven minutes of injury time, the tension was palpable, but Arsenal remained solid at the back. Ødegaard’s long-range effort was parried to safety by Pope, and that was the final moment of danger as Arsenal sealed a crucial victory.