"Both benches are desperate to win and desperate to achieve," the Newcastle boss told reporters. "I've got no problem with their conduct or our conduct. Both teams' benches were respectful - just obviously doing everything we could to win."
That final comment was said with a knowing smile after Newcastle extended their own unbeaten run in the top-flight to seven games. It is a result that closes the gap on fifth-placed Aston Villa when a defeat could have left the black-and-whites up to eight points behind Unai Emery's side come the end of the weekend.
Newcastle United players and staff celebrate a huge win against Arsenal at St James' Park
Newcastle United players and staff celebrate a huge win against Arsenal at St James' Park
The victory was all the more eye-catching given the ever-growing list of absences - even if Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson all came back into the side after Howe made eight changes from the team that defeated Manchester United midweek.
The hosts quickly got the crowd into the game with a ferocious start as Newcastle pressed Arsenal high up the pitch, refusing to show the title chasers undue respect in a game that soon turned into a real battle in torrential conditions. Even Kai Havertz got caught up in it, scything down Sean Longstaff with a reckless challenge right by the touchline in the 37th minute, that had Geordies on their feet and Newcastle players rushing on the scene.Fabian Schar threw his arms up in the air; Jamaal Lascelles pointed a finger at Havertz. Referee Stuart Attwell, though, felt the tackle was only worthy of a yellow card and Gordon, Schar and Longstaff also ended up going in the book for their protests. It suddenly felt very niggly and Bruno Guimaraes was fortunate to escape punishment after catching Jorginho with a stray forearm in first-half stoppage time.
It was hardly a surprise, then, that Howe's overriding message at half-time was for his players to keep their discipline and simply stay on the field, but the Newcastle boss was forced into a change at the break after Dan Burn came off with a back issue after landing awkwardly. On came Tino Livramento - Kieran Trippier moved over to left-back - and Arsenal got little change from Newcastle's new-look back four in a game of few clear cut chances.
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A swift team move did send Gabriel Martinelli down the left just after the hour mark, though, and the forward's cross was headed away by Trippier only as far as England team-mate Rice. Rather than taking a touch, Rice attempted to steer the ball into the net from just inside the area, but the midfielder's header bounced wide to loud jeers from those Newcastle fans behind the goal. In a game of such few clear cut chances, it was a huge opportunity - and Newcastle soon made Arsenal pay midway through the second half.
Fabian Schar arrowed a ball over the top that eventually fell to Jacob Murphy after Gabriel and Takehiro Tomiyasu both failed to deal with it under pressure from Joelinton. However, the substitute lashed it across the face of the goal from a tight angle.
Joe Willock celebrates with Anthony Gordon after setting up what proved to be Newcastle United's winning goal against Arsenal
Joe Willock celebrates with Anthony Gordon after setting up what proved to be Newcastle United's winning goal against Arsenal
It looked like the chance had gone, but fellow replacement Joe Willock did brilliantly to keep the ball in play right by the corner flag after Arsenal players had presumed it would bobble out for a goal kick. Willock had the time to scoop the ball back into the box and David Raya could only flap at the former Arsenal midfielder's delivery.
Although Gabriel was able to prevent the ball going over the line, after missing the initial header, following a shove from Joelinton, Gordon pounced and walloped it into the net right in front of the Gallowgate End to send Newcastle fans into raptures.
The whole Arsenal side immediately surrounded referee Stuart Attwell as Gordon slid in celebration and three lengthy VAR checks were soon carried out over the space of four minutes to establish whether Willock had kept the ball in play, whether Joelinton had fouled Gabriel and whether Gordon was offside. It was a no on all three counts. The goal was given.
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