Arsenal triumphs in Newcastle without Ozil, securing their place at the summit once more.
Arsenal FC has continued to impress in the English Premier League, maintaining their position at the top of the table after a 1-0 win against Newcastle United on Sunday. The Gunners, who currently have 42 points after 19 games, have shown resilience despite the injury-related absence of Mesut Özil.
In the absence of Özil, who missed the game due to a shoulder injury sustained after a fall, Arsène Wenger expressed his desire to have him back in the team. However, the German international was not available for selection, and his absence did not seem to affect Arsenal's performance against Newcastle.
Olivier Giroud scored the winning goal for Arsenal in the 65th minute, securing all three points for the London-based club. Captain Per Mertesacker, who posted a jubilant picture from the locker room on Facebook after the game, was also in action, but there was no update on the involvement of Lukas Podolski in the match.
Arsenal's strong defensive performance has been a key factor in their success this season. In the 2024–25 season, they recorded the league’s best defensive record by conceding only 34 goals, a feat they have yet to replicate this season. However, their defensive resilience under manager Mikel Arteta has helped compensate for the challenges posed by injuries, including Özil's absence.
Despite the impact of injuries on their attacking options, Arsenal has consistently finished as runners-up in recent seasons. In the 2024–25 season, they had an unbeaten record against the other "Big Six" clubs, indicating strong competitiveness against top rivals. This competitive spirit has carried over into the 2025–26 season, with Arsenal's form being excellent so far, winning their only match to sit 6th in the table.
Arsenal's rivals, Manchester City, are in second place with 41 points, while Chelsea FC is in third place with 40 points. Despite these close battles, Arsenal FC remains one of the strongest teams in the Premier League, both defensively and in their ability to compete against leading clubs.
Arsène Wenger praised his team after the win against Newcastle, stating they are ready for a fight. With Özil expected to be out for up to three games, the focus will be on maintaining their strong form and continuing their push for the Premier League title.
In light of Mesut Özil's injury, Arsène Wenger expressed his hope to welcome him back into the team. Despite missing Özil, Arsenal's form in football remained strong, resulting in a 1-0 win against Newcastle United in a sports match, with Olivier Giroud scoring the deciding goal in the sport of football.
