Arsenal 1–0 Newcastle United Player Ratings: The Gunners Edge past Newcastle in a Tight EPL Contest

On the 18th of May, 2025, Arsenal won by a close 1-0 margin against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London, kicking off at 4:30 PM GMT (9:00 PM IST) in the Premier League. The win cemented Arsenal's second position on 71 points, one behind table-toppers Liverpool, and Newcastle fell to third position with 68 points. Arsenal's 4-3-3 was too much for Newcastle's 3-4-2-1, and Declan Rice scored the winning goal as Jakub Kiwior impressed as one of the standout players.

Newcastle's Anthony Gordon created several chances but was unable to breach the solid Arsenal defense, leaving the Magpies to regret missed opportunities in an intense match. The visitors had the first 30 minutes of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United. Newcastle played with strength early on, with Dan Burn's timely tackle preventing Arsenal from getting an early goal. A fast end-to-end counter soon provided Newcastle with an opportunity, but Newcastle's Bruno Guimarães's shot was saved by David Raya. Arsenal's defense was also looking vulnerable, with two more attempts on goal under 10 minutes for them.

Leandro Trossard's promising play for Arsenal was deflected, and Raya saved again. He denied Burn's header for a fourth. Anthony Gordon played a pass that was short to Callum Wilson, who played in for Alexander Isak, and Wilson was unable to score. Newcastle controlled the half, with Arsenal lagging.
As the game crossed the 25th minute mark, the game became more stable. Players tried to maintain the structure, a promising through ball received by Wilson that could have been a goal ended up in a foul for the home side. While the game was happening, Kai Havertz was seen warming up probably to replace Saka. as the game approached the half time mark it was evident that after UCL semi-final loss, Arsenal player's shoulders were down and at the same time Newcastle United looked confident on the ball which sums up the season for both the teams. On the half-time whistle, the scoreline stood at 0-0 without any additional minutes. The man of the first half would be, no doubt, David Raya of Arsenal.

The start of the second half saw many substitutions. But guess who stood up again for the Gunners? It's none other than Declan Rice who broke the deadlock with the help of the captain Martin Odegaard.

Both teams were trying to score another goal till the 75th minute but the game was slow-paced and predictable. The game intensified in the last 15 minutes. Eddie Howe was looking active on the sideline after the goal by Declan Rice. He made sudden changes to retaliate against the damage, but all his attempts were getting absorbed by Kiwior and his mates. Newcastle players looked desperate to score goals and started attempting long-range and powerful shots towards David Raya. Chaos can be seen at both ends after the 90-minute mark, but it was not enough to change the scoreline of 1-0. We can say it was substitutes who changed the game for Arsenal, and the 45th-minute team “Pep” talk.

Here are the Arsenal vs Newcastle United player ratings.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Newcastle United

GK - David Raya - 8.5

The player played a crucial part by saving 4 shots on the post, and trust us, those shots were not routine saves. David Raya

LB - B. White - 6

He was not looking match fit at Arsenal's defensive line in the initial phase. His only contribution in the first half was his attempt, which got blocked. He lost the ball to the visitors more than seven times in the first half. White completely changed his game and absorbed all the late pressure from Newcastle's attack.

CB - W. Saliba - 6

The Real Madrid-bound player was also part of the loose backline that let Newcastle create chances in the initial stage. Got subbed off at the start of the 2nd half. Calafiori took his position.

CB -J. Kiwior - 8

Visibly, the best player on the defensive line. The player made crucial blocks to stop the scoreline at 0-0 at halftime. If David Raya didn't have 5 saves, the man of the match was surely going to be Kiwior.

RB - M. Lewis-Skelly - 6.5

Tried to contribute at both ends, but in the end was not able to do so til the first half. The player didn't have his best game tonight.

CM - M. Ødegaard - 7

The player looked lost, losing the ball 7 times to the opponent in the first half, and the player's impact on the game was almost negligible till the first half. However, assisted in Arsenal's first goal, which later turned out to be the winning goal.

CM - T. Partey - 6.5

The player was seen creating crucial passes to start counterattacks, but later on was hardly seen on the pitch.

CM - D. Rice - 8

Declan Rice was another player who looked match-ready and tried his best to contribute to the team. Scored the opening for the Gunners, scoring in the 54th minute.

LW -B. Saka - 7.5

Saka looked active on the pitch, creating chances from the corner and right flank for his teammates, but none were converted into something feasible for the club. The player took the responsibility into his own hands to contribute and was successful in creating an impact by stretching the defensive line of Newcastle United.

ST - L. Trossard - 7

The player looked good in the 2nd half, after giving a below-par performance for Arsenal in the first half

RW - G. Martinelli - 6.5

Could have done more for Arsenal, but was restricted by the defenders of Newcastle United.

SUB - R. Calafiori - 7

Got subbed in for William Saliba and played his part for the team, had a decent game for the Gunners.

SUB - Kai Havertz - 6.5

Didn't have much of an impact on the game, but tried to score on late counters; unfortunately, could not convert any on his comeback.

SUB - Kieran Tierney - 6.5

Not had enough time for any impact.

SUB - Jorginho - 6.5

Not had enough time for any impact.

Mikel Arteta - 7

The tactician looked more reliable on his player skills than on his tactics.

Newcastle Player Ratings vs Arsenal

Goalkeeper - N. Pope - 6.5

The player was seen resting for the first 30 minutes, but after that, he was seen doing a lot of work in front of the post.

RWB - J. Murphy - 6.5

The only player in Newcastle's Midfield who looked loose.

CB -D. Burn - 7

Burn was able to stop the majority of the shots tried by Saka, Ben White, and other players.

CB - S. Botman - 6.5

Performed decently, still got subbed out in the early 60s of the game.

RB - F. Schär - 7

He was able to stop the attack of Arsenal players in the initial stage, but looked exhausted as the game went forward.

LWB - T. Livramento - 6.5

Liveramento played his part for the team and was mainly has the backing by D. Burn throughout the game.

CMF - S. Tonali - 7.5

Looked strong for Newcastle United but was not able to leave an impact on the game.

CMF - B. Guimarães - 7.5

One of the best players in the game for Newcastle United. Had Opportunities in front of the goal but got denied by David Raya.

LMF - A. Gordon - 6

He was only seen creating chances for the team in the first 20 minutes of the game. This game was one of those that he wants to forget.

RMF - H. Barnes - 6

The player tried to contribute to the first wave of attack by Newcastle but was not seen on the pitch afterwards. However, the first shot after the break was from Barnes, which went above the post.

ST - C. Wilson - 5

Failed to fill the space of Alexander Isak in the team. Missed crucial opportunities and, to no one's surprise, got subbed off by Eddie Howe for Osula.

SUB - Emil Krafth - 5.5

Got a yellow card without even having a single touch after his substitution.

SUB - Joe Willock - 6

Tried to make an Impact at the end of the game, but unfortunately stopped by Arsenal's defense.

SUB - Lewis Miley - 6

Came for Jacob Murphy and didn't have that much of an Impact on the game.

SUB - William Osula - 6

Came for Willson, who had a disastrous game. The player had a mediocre game and could not contribute anything meaningful.

Eddie Howe - 5

The manager tried to turn the tables by making early subs, but unfortunately, it didn't work for him this time.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to David Raya of Arsenal.