United show calculated edge with limited possession
Newcastle once again ceded possession to their opponents, seeing just 28% of the ball against Arsenal on Sunday, as Benitez once again set his side up in a tight, compact shape to limit the space afforded to the visitors.
Possession doesn’t necessarily guarantee points, as it proved on Sunday and Benitez will be pleased with how calculated his side were when they had the ball, particularly after falling behind.
The United boss’ game-plan was transparent and executed to near-perfection by Jonjo Shelvey, whose growing influence in recent weeks should be rewarded with a call-up to the England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Clearly operating on instruction, Shelvey, and Florian Lejeune also, constantly pinged high balls over the top of the Arsenal back-four for Dwight Gayle to run on to, with one in particular leading to Ayoze Perez’s equaliser following a slick interchange of passes on the right flank.
It illustrated the growing confidence and intelligence in the Newcastle squad that has been key in their charge to survival.
