Coming on the back of a series of disappointing displays, few would have expected Newcastle to perform this way against Arsenal. However, defying all the odds, the Magpies club put in an exceptional effort against the Gunners, securing arguably their best result in this PL campaign. Being backed by the home support, the Toon players stood commendable in their roles, getting the much-needed win at home.
Micah Richards pinpoints the key reason behind Newcastle's 1-0 win over Arsenal
Be it star forward Alexander Isak's offensive brilliance, the crucial contributions of the midfield, or a sensational show from the full-back duo, for the first time, Newcastle United looked competitive for the complete 3 points this PL campaign. However, while certainly the intensity and aggression Eddie Howe's side showed stood crucial, pundit Micah Richards feels there was a key factor at play that influenced the win for them.
So far this season, Newcastle had been struggling to find the perfect team balance, but it finally feels that manager Howe has found the best solution for this. As per observations from the Carabao Cup fixture against Chelsea, Howe incorporated key players Longstaff and Wilson back into his side while freeing Joelinton on the left, and that is what Micah feels has been pivotal for their win.
Not only has this setup given compactness to the side, which was visible in their performance after getting the lead against Arsenal, but also the balance required particularly the left flank. While Micah Richards acknowledged the brilliant balance of the overall setup, he was completely pleased with Newcastle's left flank display against Arsenal. Showering praise on the same, the former PL star mentioned,
"“I thought they were excellent, especially down that left-hand side. With Hall, Willock, and Joelinton, they got it absolutely spot on, offensively and defensively. There was a togetherness about them.”"Micah Richards
Fortunately for Newcastle, with back-to-back wins against two of the PL Big 6 clubs, manager Howe seems to have found the balance he had been looking for since the season started. Not to forget, even in their most successful campaign in recent years, they had the roles defined for each player in the setup, and now that it feels to be the case again, the club might be back to its very best. Newcastle fans would hope that the side continues this way, as they hope for European Qualification this season.