Newcastle United find £156m formula that Eddie Howe must now stick with

Bukayo Saka, one of the Premier League's most formidable attackers, endured a rather quiet afternoon on Tyneside as Newcastle United's left-sided options masterfully stunted any opportunities down Arsenal's right flank.

Lewis Hall, Man of the Match in Saturday's 1-0 win, can take credit for that as he continues his ridiculous run of form but not without thanking the team-mates in front of him for their additional support throughout the encounter too. Joelinton was often dropping back in to help out, filling the position of a left-sided centre-back and wing-back, while Joe Willock was a huge presence further up field before his withdrawal in the second-half.

The only goal of the tie may have arrived from Newcastle's right channel but it was down the left where the home side looked most threatening. Willock, often combining with his good friend Alexander Isak in the final third, looked sharp for the second time in four days as he presents a strong case to start more games going forward.

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The former Arsenal star has consistently shown that his presence in the side raises the game of both Isak and Joelinton more than most, while Hall is arguably the first name of the team sheet at present. Is the aforementioned quartet, who cost Newcastle £156m, the way to go for Eddie Howe in the coming weeks? It certainly feels that way.

“I think Joe is really well liked within the squad," Howe said of Willock at full-time. "He’s a very popular lad. He’s got really good relationships when he’s in the team, with players around him.

“He dovetails really well with Joelinton, and you could see them interchanging positions today. Joe and Alex also have a really good relationship on the pitch, and naturally, when you have those feelings around certain players, it can elevate the players around you. Joe is capable of that.”

Willock faces a tougher fight than most to nail down a starting spot in this side given the fierce competition for places in Newcastle's midfield. The 25-year-old seems to have shaken off his injury problems after a tough period on Tyneside but did make way against Arsenal with a touch of fatigue.

“He had a good 60 minutes before he faded and was getting a bit of cramp," Howe added. “It just goes to show that Joe has more, physically, to come. He’s been out a long time and he’s not absolutely ready to play 90 minutes yet, but he’s slowly getting there.”

Whether Willock retains his starting spot at the City Ground next weekend remains to be seen but Newcastle have silenced their recent doubters with two huge performances in recent days, with the midfielder at the heart of both displays. The England hopeful has certainly done himself no harm in trying to wrestle one of those starting spots from the likes of Sandro Tonali, Sean Longstaff or even Harvey Barnes on the left-side of Howe's lineup.