By Matthew Jones
November 9 2002

Wiltord's goal was enough to give Arsenal the victory at Highbury today. Arsenal piled alot of pressure on Newcastle's back four today and one break-through was so very costly. Newcastle went into this trip looking for a win. Arsenal went into the game hoping for anything but a loss. Arsenal made the most of their chances and Wiltord's 24th minute goal was enough to give the double-winners a victory.

Newcastle's best early chance was probably an Alan Shearer free-kick from a good position soon after, but he drilled that one into the wall.
Arsenal did break through on 24 minutes though, as Wiltord tapped home for his first goal in club colours since mid-September after good work from Oleg Luzhny. The Ukrainian supplied the killer pass on one of his frequent runs down the right-flank and Wiltord's task was easy from close range.

Arsene Wenger's men hit the woodwork for the second time on 30 minutes, as this time Freddie Ljungberg raced through but his lob sailed over Given only to hit the bar.

And at the other end Hugo Viana tried the same trick from greater distance, but his brilliant effort hit the underside of the goal-frame and sailed away to safety.

Given saved again from a one-on-one with the increasingly dangerous Ljungberg as the half ran out, but Arsenal went into the interval with just that one-gaol advantage.

The first 30 minutes of the second half was a dour affair of few chances, though Thierry Henry and Wiltord had half-chances blocked by a resilient Magpies defence.

Even Robert Pires' introduction with 20 minutes to go could not inspire further goals, but while Arsenal will be delighted with their second Premiership win in a row, Sir Bobby Robson will be disappointed his men could not cause more problems up front.

The result meant that champions Arsenal closed the gap on Liverpool to a single point in the Premiership table as Gerard Houllier's men lost 1-0 against Middlesbrough at The Riverside.