Newcastle United: Jonjo Shelvey’s long passes can alter a game

Newcastle United received a boost yesterday in the first half thanks to one of their midfielders.

Newcastle United and manager Rafa Benitez are displaying the type of form that fans have been craving, as a fourth consecutive Premier League victory against Arsenal yesterday now officially has the relegation battle behind them. The Magpies displayed great effort throughout 90 minutes versus the Gunners, and midfield play was absolutely vital to the final result.

Jonjo Shelvey helped to set up Ayoze Perez’s equaliser in the first half, and displayed his passing accuracy with a magnificent long ball that set up the sequence. Alongside Mohamed Diame (who had an incredible performance making tackles everywhere on the pitch), the English international brought another dimension to Benitez’s attack.

In the 29th minute down 1-0 after the opening strike from Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette, Shelvey gathered the ball near the halfway line and looked up for his team-mates. The 26-year-old sent a perfect long ball forward that Dwight Gayle was able to control at the edge of the penalty area.

Gayle moved it wide for DeAndre Yedlin, who found Perez to level the match. Just like that, the match completely changed.

Prior to that sequence, the Toon had difficulty creating meaningful scoring opportunities. But Shelvey’s vision and control of the ball started something special in the opposing half.

While he may not normally be the one netting the goals, the midfielder’s ability to react and provide service to others is important for Benitez’s squad.

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When facing an opponent like Arsenal, these characteristics become even more critical to success.

Immediate danger for the opposition

Newcastle do not necessarily have the ability to always work their way through a defence, either with skillful solo runs or through short passing combinations.

To have a player like Shelvey who can accurately send the ball up the pitch and over the back-line modifies how defenders must play. Teams full of quality like Arsenal may be able to stop some elements of the Toon’s attack, but can do little to halt long passes like in yesterday’s fixture.

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Newcastle United and Rafa Benitez will aim for a fifth win on the bounce at Everton next Monday, and Jonjo Shelvey will again likely be at the heart of what the team are able to accomplish.