Arsenal's Impressive Performance Puts Them in Title Contention

Arsenal's German midfielder Kai Havertz celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2024.

Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal are "sniffing" a Premier League title as they bounced back from losing to Porto in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie to thrash Newcastle at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s side were rampant from the outset against The Magpies in a 4-1 rout that kept them third in the Premier League table, but moved them within two points of leaders Liverpool and one behind Manchester City.

TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand said it shows this is now an Arsenal team capable of sustaining a title challenge after stumbling with the winning line in sight last season.

“It was a really impressive performance, especially after going away in Europe and not getting the result you want,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports.

“They got beat last minute, that can dampen any team’s spirits, but their intensity, their intent from the first whistle was there for all to see.

“That was the most impressive thing, the response to the midweek result was huge. It was imperative they got back to winning ways but the style with which they did that today was hugely impressive.

“It shows a character, it shows the personality, shows the belief, but it shows actually, these guys, they're sniffing something, there's a league title to be won here.

“There’s three teams in it now and they're saying we are involved as well. They lost it last season and it looks like they’re going to be there again this season.”

The Gunners made the far better start and deservedly broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. Gabriel Magalhaes rose highest to meet Bukayo Saka’s corner, and although it was well saved by Lorius Karius, it was clumsily knocked into his own net by Sven Botman.

Kai Havertz continued his fine goal-scoring form to make it 2-0 at the break after Gabriel Martinelli did brilliantly to keep the ball in before laying it on a plate for the German.

Saka made it three in the second half with his 16th goal of the season, cutting in from the right and bending it past Karius into the far corner, before Jakub Kiwior got on the end of Declan Rice’s corner in the 70th minute for Arsenal’s fourth and to put the result beyond doubt.

The only negative in an otherwise flawless evening in north London was the late consolation for Newcastle, scored by former Arsenal player Joe Willock.

“Momentum is the key word, keeping people fit as well,” Ferdinand added. “Maintaining the standards that they're setting themselves now.

“They're at a really high level in the Premier League and they're performing to their maximum. They’re scoring goals, punishing teams, they play with a high intensity with and without the ball now.

“They're passing the ball forward when they win it in transition. They're aggressive, they’re athletic, they need to make sure this is their DNA they stick to consistently and they're going to go close.”

Martin Keown agreed with Ferdinand and picked out player of the match Jorginho for praise. The Italian was the only change to the starting XI from the defeat to Porto and played a crucial role at the base of midfield.

“After the midweek disappointment, right back on track,” Keown said. “Really important they set down a marker, we have a three-horse race now. Liverpool and Man City are just ahead of Arsenal but they’re in magnificent form.

“Last year I think they threw it away a little bit but it doesn’t look like there’s any sign of that the way they’re playing.

“Jorginho coming into the team I thought changed the structure and the way they built through the team and the wide players, very rarely did we see them in their wide positions, they were given freedom today.

“Havertz seemed to benefit from that close attention from the two wingers.”