Gary Neville credits Arsenal for ‘growing up’ in their 2-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday
‘They’ve grown up a lot today’: Gary Neville credits Arsenal’s ‘calmness’ in their 2-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday as he admits he thought Mikel Arteta’s side could ‘be eaten alive’ in raucous St James’ Park before kick-off
- Arsenal put in a strong performance on Sunday by beating Newcastle 2-0
- Martin Odegaard scored the first goal for Fabian Schar’s late own goal
- Gary Neville felt the Gunners were ‘growing up’ during the win at St James’ Park
Gary Neville praised Arsenal for ‘growing up’ in their 2-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side put in an impressive display in a bouncing St James’ Park as they gave Eddie Howe’s side just their second league defeat at the ground this season.
Captain Martin Odegaard opened the scoring with a classy effort from outside the box, before an own goal from Fabian Schar confirmed the three points.
For Neville, the result was a big moment for the young Gunners, as he told Sky Sports: ‘I thought they could be eaten alive today. When I saw the atmosphere and the first five minutes, nothing changed my mind. It was fierce.
“Arsenal has grown a lot these days. Arteta deserves credit for choosing Jorginho, as many people would have said [Thomas] Partey back in midfield. Odegaard showed a lot of class and Jorginho composed them.
Arsenal put in an impressive performance on Sunday afternoon, beating Newcastle 2-0
Jorginho (left) and Martin Odegaard (right) both delivered impressive performances
“They have missed that in recent weeks. Martinelli and Saka were still not at their best, but they were calm today.’
The win brought Arsenal one point clear of leaders Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola’s side still has a game in hand.
Mikel Arteta said he felt the title race wasn’t over after the win, but Neville pointed to a number of results that he felt cost them the league.
“I think at the end of the season they will look back at that game against Southampton, West Ham and Southampton,” he said.
The Gunners were 3-1 down before salvaging a draw against Southampton last month, and then threw away a 2-0 lead over West Ham in their next game.
Speaking of Man City’s prospects for the rest of the season, Neville added: “The Real Madrid games are events in themselves, because those games happen once, twice, three times in a lifetime.”
Gary Neville felt Arsenal ‘grew up’ in performing at St James’ Park
Pep Guardiola is here to win the Champions League. He knows what they have to do to win those games against Real Madrid.’
City make many games look easy, but Everton next weekend is tough. Anything can happen, it’s such a stadium.
“The most important thing is that I think it is very much alive for Arsenal. The important thing is that they have recovered today, because they have been reeling for the past few weeks.’
Pep Guardiola’s side have an important week ahead as they travel to the Bernabéu on Tuesday for their Champions League semi-final before facing Everton on Sunday.
