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By Craig Hope Published: 01: 27 AEDT, 3 November 2024 | Updated: 05: 20 AEDT, 3 November 2024 187 View comments He has all but cost them this season’s Premier League, so maybe next year he’ll be the man to whom they turn to win it. Alexander Isak would be Arsenal’s dream signing, and this is why, because here the Newcastle striker was the stuff of nightmares. Arsenal do not have an Isak, who scored the game’s only goal. In fact, on this evidence, they do not have a Sean Longstaff or Lewis Hall either, two of Newcastle’s less heralded players. And so, on the afternoon St James’ Park marked Remembrance Day, Arsenal’s supporters should have taken a moment post-match, too, to reflect on a title challenge that has not got beyond Bonfire Night. Some of Mikel Arteta’s players could certainly do with a rocket up the proverbial. It felt like a moan when Arteta repeated afterwards, ‘they are good at what they do’, the inference being Newcastle had bent the rules. If that means they bullied Arsenal, then yes, Arteta is right. Maybe his team simply need to toughen up. Champions, after all, usually are the bullies. They kept 11 men on the pitch this time but could have done with the spirit invoked by 10, because they went down without a fight. Nick Pope did not have a save to make and Arsenal were only really a threat from set-pieces. They have won much praise for their deadball efficiency this season, but has that masked deficiencies elsewhere? Alexander Isak's first-half header condemned Arsenal to a costly defeat at Newcastle Isak met Anthony Gordon's cross and nodded beyond David Raya after just 12 minutes The setback leaves the Gunners adrift of Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race Newcastle: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Longstaff, Guimaraes (Kelly, 90+5), Willock (Tonali, 65), Gordon (Barnes, 85), Isak, Joelinton Subs not used:  Dubravka, Krafth, Osula, Almiron, Murphy, Miley Goals: Isak 12 Booked: Schar, Willock, Tonali, Pope Manager: Eddie Howe  Arsenal: Raya, Partey (Jorginho, 86), Saliba, Gabriel, Timber (White, 71), Saka, Merino (Zinchenko, 61), Rice, Martinelli (Nwaneri, 61), Trossard (Jesus, 71), Havertz Subs not used:  Kiwior, Sterling, Neto, Lewis-Skelly Booked:  Merino, Timber, Jorginho, Havertz Manager: Mikel Arteta  It looked like it here, on a day when Eddie Howe’s hosts bettered them for aggression, desire and quality. They are good at what they do, as Arteta says. But they have not been that good of late and that makes Arsenal’s surrender all the more feeble. They should have come here and played like Premier League contenders against opponents who started the day in 12th position and without a win in five. You would not have known which team had title aspirations come the end. Newcastle’s season was resuscitated by a midweek Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea and, remarkably given their recent form, this win moves them to within three points of Arsenal. It has been a mighty few days on Tyneside and a reminder of the power of St James’, and the power of the players who play here. ‘They are all very big and physical, ’ said Arteta, in a variation of his whine. The only goal, on 12 minutes, was a throwback, a right-winger crossing with his right foot and a centre-forward flashing home with a header. How retro. How simple. If only, and the technique of Anthony Gordon’s whipped delivery and Isak’s whiplash conversion were world class. There is a reason such goals are rare. It evoked memories of the Keith Gillespie-Tino Asprilla combo that downed Barcelona in 1997. But the more recent memory stirred by Newcastle’s performance was of two seasons ago, the campaign that took them into the Champions League. Then, they were nasty and clinical - and never more so than against Arsenal. Howe is as mild mannered as you’ll get for a Premier League manager, but he and his staff do not like Arteta and his backroom. The Newcastle boss said on Friday his team would do ‘whatever it takes’ to win. And so this was the perfect occasion to rediscover the dark arts that have so irked Arteta in recent years. They outsmarted Arsenal both inside and outside the rules. Arsenal have now suffered two defeats from their last three Premier League games Declan Rice headed the visitors' best chance of the game just wide in stoppage time Bukayo Saka was unable to haul the Gunners back into the content on Tyneside There was a passage in the first half when Gordon chased after Leandro Trossard as Arsenal broke down the left. Such was the pressure, the winger ran the ball straight out of play, as if spooked by his pursuer. Gordon smiled and Howe stepped up to the touchline to congratulate him. After half-time, Newcastle kept Arsenal waiting for two minutes before the game restarted. When the visitors huddled together, you wondered if it was less team meeting and more a means of keeping warm. The marginal gains can make a big difference, and Pope later plonked himself down for treatment to afford his team-mates a timeout with Howe. Not that the outcome ever felt in danger. Arsenal had just two good chances. The first, just before the half hour, saw Mikel Merino’s shot blocked by Hall after a scramble from a corner. They had to wait until the third minute of injury-time for another, and Declan Rice’s weak header wide from six yards just about captured the ineptitude of their afternoon. Mikel Arteta's side were left stunned as the Magpies delivered a clinical, biting display Sandro Tonali was shown a yellow card as part of Newcastle's combative game plan Arsenal recorded just a single effort on target despite dominating possession The Gunner slipped five points behind champions City before their trip to Bournemouth Hall, it should be noted, was fantastic. Up against Bukayo Saka, he pocketed the England winger. It will not be long before they are international team-mates if he continues to perform like this. The 20-year-old is an addition to the team of two seasons ago, but Howe admitted this was a display built on the successes of that campaign. ‘There were a lot of similarities (to 22-23), ’ he said. ‘I remember a lot of games that took similar paths. It goes to show how quickly football can change - two big performances against two very good teams in a few days. Today was built on all of our qualities we’ve shown historically - heart, determination, desire and quality as well. It was a good day for us. ’ The whistle sounded not long after Rice had fluffed his close-range effort in injury-time. After briefly applauding the away fans, Arteta disappeared down the tunnel. With him, you feel, went Arsenal’s title hopes. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group