Newcastle striker Callum Wilson believes the club have proved "people wrong" after their impressive turnaround in form culminated with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 Premier League win over Arsenal on Monday night.
Mired in the relegation zone after 23 matches this season, Newcastle have been one of the Premier League's form teams since the Saudi-backed takeover and the subsequent arrival as manager of Eddie Howe, who led a successful recruitment drive during the January transfer window.
After failing to win any of their first 14 matches, Newcastle registered their 12th victory of the campaign by beating Arsenal at St James' Park thanks to a Ben White own goal 10 minutes after the interval and a Bruno Guimaraes finish five minutes from time. It was Newcastle's first win this season against opponents in the top six.
"We took the game to Arsenal and deservedly got the three points," Wilson told the BBC. "Everybody wrote us off at Christmas and it was about proving people wrong. Now it's about not resting on our laurels. The boys are putting their bodies on the line - I've had a tooth knocked out and a split lip. It was like a war out there.
"The manager has stabilised us. He's brought in some great players and instilled a style of play and philosophy at the club. Why not cause upsets higher up the league and take the game to Arsenal?"
Wilson has been absent for large parts of the season, firstly through a hamstring injury before a calf injury kept him sidelined for four months. Now back in the Newcastle line-up, the England striker said the difference is clear between the current setup and the team's early season struggles.
"I've noticed a difference [coming back into the team]. I'm getting a lot more chances and we're keeping the ball better," he said. "I watched Arsenal the other night and I knew their centre-backs had injury problems. As a striker I was licking my lips.
"I've worked so hard [to get back to fitness]. When you're out injured you want to come back and make a difference."
Newcastle manager Howe was unsurprisingly lavish in his praise for his players and believes the win over Arsenal can be a watershed moment for the club's new era, with ambitions to gatecrash the established elite.
Newcastle v Arsenal player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Martin Dubravka - 7: Only called on to make a couple comfortable saves in game Newcastle dominated. Well shielded by solid defence all night. Reuters -
Emil Krafth - 7: Swede has been impressive filling in while Kieran Trippier’s been out injured and linked well with Almiron down right. Fine run and ball to set-up opportunity for Wilson in second half. Getty -
Fabian Schar - 8: Swiss defender sprayed some lovely balls out from back in first half. Had medical staff racing on to pitch early in second half and nasty collision and fall following challenge by Nketiah. Helped off looking very dazed after lengthy treatment. Reuters -
Dan Burn - 7: Vital block from big defender on Saka shot on goal in 20th minute and, like others in Newcastle defensive effort, was throwing himself in front of Arsenal shots as visitors searched in vain for a breaththrough. EPA -
Matt Targett - 8: Full-back offered Newcastle dangerous outlet down left and helped give Tomiyasu torrid time before Japanese was forced off injured. On-loan Aston Villa player was excellent for the Magpies and helped keep Saka quiet. Reuters -
Sean Longstaff - 7: Driven cross-shot after 19 minutes went straight through hands of Ramsdale before being scrambled clear. Midfielder certainly made his contribution to Newcastle’s non-stop harrying of Gunners. Clever through ball would lead to second goal. EPA -
Joelinton - 8: Named club’s Player of the Year earlier in day and won thumping 50-50 tackle with Tomiyasu that had crowd on feet in first half. Brilliant low ball into box was turned into own net by White. Immense again from Brazilian who has been revelation in midfield. EPA -
Bruno Guimaraes - 9: Outstanding game from Brazilian. Pulled strings in midfield as Newcastle dominated possession. Produced a superb cross on turn to set up second-half chance for Wilson. Side-footed home Newcastle’s second. Reuters -
Allan Saint-Maximin - 8: Trademark run, cut inside from left past Tomiyasu and low strike after 37 minutes that needed Ramsdale to save well at near post. Nice slid-rule pass down line to Joelinton ahead of White’s own goal. PA -
Miguel Almiron - 7: Epitomised Newcastle’s performance with his workrate, pressure and tackling every time Arsenal were in possession. AFP -
Callum Wilson - 9: First start since December for striker but pace and power were constant threat. His presence at near post forced White into conceding own goal. Struck first-time volley over bar just after hour mark and hit superb long-range effort over Ramsdale in last 10 minutes that dropped just wide. EPA -
SUBS: Jamaal Lascelles – (On for Schar 49’) 7: Club captain slotted straight into Newcastle defence and coped easily with Gunners attacking efforts. Getty -
Jacob Murphy – (On for Almiron 76’) N/A. Skipped past Saka very easily and saw cross-shot from tight angle tipped to safety by Ramsdale. Should have scored with Magpies through three-on-one but shot too close to keeper. AFP -
Ryan Fraser – (On for Saint-Maximin 76’) N/A. Denied goal by fine Ramsdale stop. Reuters -
Dwight Gayle – (On for Wilson 90’ + 3) N/A. Getty -
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 6: Nervy start from goalkeeper with slips, poor clearances and dodgy handling. Fine save low down to deny Saint-Maximin late in first half, though. Busy second half, pulling off several good stops, as Gunners threw caution to wind looking for goals. Reuters -
Takehiro Tomiyasu - 4: Not the best of games for Japanese right-back. Skinned by trickery of both Targett and Saint-Maximin, while also beaten to one crunching tackle in middle of park by Joelinton before limping off injured before half-time. EPA -
Gabriel - 5: Up against tricky customer in Wilson who made it a difficult night for Brazilian. Was second defender sacrificed for attacker as Gunners chased game. PA -
Ben White - 4: Picked up very early booking for taking down Wilson and gifted ball to Guimaraes soon after trying to play out from back. Turned ball into own net in second half under pressure from Wilson and caught out of position ahead of second. Didn’t look fit. Getty -
Nuno Tavares - 5: Back in side at left-back and facing a pacy opponent in Almiron. Did OK but was his foul throw that started move for White’s own goal. Sacrificed for attacker as Gunners chased game. EPA -
Granit Xhaka - 4: Lovely turn and surging run forward from own half after five minutes but failed to help team get grip on centre of midfield and was outclassed by likes of Joelinton and Guimaeres. Inevitable late booking. EPA -
Mohamed Elneny - 4: Not given any time to settle on ball as Newcastle pressured the Gunners superbly well. Couldn't stop Joelinton putting in cross for opening goal. PA. -
Martin Odegaard - 5: Played nice first-time through ball to Saka that set up chance for teammate but couldn’t get any sort of grip on midfield. When he did find space to shoot after break Newcastle bodies were throwing themselves in front to block. Reuters -
Bukayo Saka - 6: Lovely one-two with Odegaard before seeing shot blocked in first half, then drilled another effort straight at Dubravka soon after. Blazed wild strike way over from distance soon after Newcastle took the lead. PA -
Emile Smith Rowe - 4: Recalled into side but struggled to make any impact on game and was no surprise when hooked early in second half. AFP -
Eddie Nketiah - 4: Has scored some goals lately but never looked like doing so here. Booked early in second for aerial challenge on Schar that resulted in Swiss defender being helped from field. Getty -
SUBS: Cedric Soares – (On for Tomiyasu 40’) 5: Early call into action due to latest Arsenal defensive injury. Like Tomiyasu, struggled to deal with Saint-Maximin. Reuters -
Gabriel Martinelli – (On for Smith Rowe 53’) 6: At least offered Gunners a bit of an attacking outlet. Reuters -
Alexandre Lacazette – (On for Tavares 62’) 5: Picked up nasty cut on back of head minutes after coming on and couldn’t make experience count at St James’ Park. Getty -
Nicolas Pepe – (On for Gabriel 73’) 4: Awful pass straight to Newcastle began counter-attack that should have resulted in Newcastle going two up. AFP
"It was a brilliant all-round performance. We played with intensity and never let up. We approached the game in a brilliant manner and we did the Premier League proud tonight," he said. "The one thing missing from us was that we hadn't beaten a top-six team - and we deservedly beat them.
"It's been a brilliant thing to be part of [Newcastle's recent form]. We've done it through team spirit and unity. We'll remain very calm in this moment because it's a brilliant win but that's all it is. We have to work to improve in the summer. We're a massive club with big ambitions but my job is to focus on how we do it rather than talk."
While there were plenty of reasons to celebrate for Newcastle, the defeat could prove damaging to Arsenal's top four hopes. The Gunners, in fifth, trail rivals Tottenham by two points heading into the final game of the season, and their vastly inferior goal difference means they will need to beat Everton and hope Spurs lose to already-relegated bottom side Norwich.
"Incredibly disappointed. The way we started to the finish, Newcastle were better. They deserved to win by a mile. It's a really difficult one to accept," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.
"We have to put our head down and accept the performance was nowhere near the standard required for the Champions League. From tomorrow we'll prepare for Everton. It's still mathematically possible."
