(Football News) Arsenal are not ready to give up on the Premier League title race with a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United to close the gap on leaders Manchester City to one point but City have played a game less. Defeat would have left Arsenal’s hopes of a first title since 2004 in tatters but Martin Odegaard’s brilliant goal and a Fabian Schar own goal helped seal a vital victory for the Gunners. Newcastle on the other hand wanted to cement a third-place finish in the league as they dominated early on but Odegaard’s magic after 14 minutes gave the visitors the lead.

Fabian Schar, unfortunately, turned in Gabriel Martinelli’s cross in the 70th minute remaining. City are favourites to win the title as they have won 10 straight games but Arsenal with three games left in the season are on 81 points and are not ready to raise the white flag. Newcastle remained in third with 65 points and four games left as Man United couldn’t take advantage of their loss after they lost to West Ham. Mikel Arteta’s side after this result have virtually sealed a Champions League qualification.

Newcastle fans looked like they were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after a Bruno Guimaraes shot was blocked by Jakub Kiwior for an apparent handball but VAR intervened and overturned the decision. Arsenal took the lead with their first shot as Odegaard who is in exceptional form was allowed too much time as his shot crept inside the post after a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. Arsenal were devastatingly effective on the as Odegaard was at the heart of all the attacks

Pope was Newcastle’s man of the match as he made some really good saves at the end of a frenetic first half. The second half was almost identical to the first, with Murphy coming the closest to score when his cross was headed against the post by Isak. Arsenal looked like a constant threat on the break as Martinelli’s curling shot hit the crossbar. But the Brazilian was a key figure in the second goal which wrapped it up as he carried the ball down the left and his fizzing low cross that deflected off Schar and into the net.

“The message [to City] is we’ll go as hard as we can for three games and we will be pushing and if City slip up we will be there to pick up the pieces,” goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale said.

“Fine margins for us today and we just came out on the wrong side of them,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said. “If Jacob’s chance goes in early on it is a totally different game.”

Also read: Manchester City edge past Leeds United to remain on top of the Premier League standings