EPL: Arsenal Blows Lead Against Newcastle, What Does it Mean for EPL Title?

Newcastle fans started their halftime customs after about 30 minutes, and Arsenal started their post-game warm-downs after about 50 minutes.

The Gunners became the first Premier League team ever to let a four-goal lead slip, which led to a back-breaking draw at St. James Park that has probably ruled them out of the title race.

Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead after a mere 42 seconds, and not even two minutes later, Johan Djourou doubled the lead. The Gunners were up by three inside 10 minutes thanks to Robin Van Persie and some very poor defending, and the Dutchman added his second and the team’s fourth in the 26th minute.

The home side looked lethargic and uninterested throughout the first half as Arsenal was putting on a master-class display of football. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew had no sympathy for his side, and he decided to make his starters earn their wages to sort things out in the second half.

Luckily for him his Arsenal counterpart, Arsene Wenger, seemed to forget who he was coaching.

The Gunners have had an extremely talented squad for years, but they have failed to win a trophy due to a lack of leadership and heart when the times get tough (and yes, some bad luck on the injury front). They are known to take the foot off the gas sometimes too soon and often get punished for it.

Luckily for them, the linesman saw to it they didn’t get punished to the fullest.

Abou Diaby foolishly shoved Kevin Nolan in the 50th minute and was shown a straight red card. If he had kept his cool, referee Phil Dowd might have punished Newcastle’s Joey Barton instead for leaving the ground and following through in his tackle on Diaby.

Newcastle had all the momentum from that point on with Barton going on to score two from the penalty spot and Leon Best and Cheick Tiote adding the other two. Tiote’s fantastic volley from 25 yards out in the 87th minute would’ve been the winner had a 74th minute shot from Best not wrongly been ruled offside.  

This draw, no matter what result Manchester United gets at Wolves, effectively rules Arsenal out of the title race because they are missing the key ingredient to being champions, leadership.

United was down 2-0 at Blackpool a week and a half ago but showed the heart and determination to come away with a 3-2 victory. Arsenal meanwhile just fell apart when faced with the slightest bit of adversity. No one on the team tried to rally the troops to hold strong, much like a Ryan Giggs, Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard would for their sides.

Even down a man and away from home, champions should not let a four-goal lead slip away, especially against a team who just sold their star striker and were obviously there for the taking.

Carlos Tevez scored a hat trick on his birthday against West Brom, but he has also conceded the title to his former employers. Peter Crouch meanwhile has said his Tottenham side (his side at least for the next six months) can still mount a title challenge.

Chelsea looks the team with the best chance at catching the Red Devils since they still have to play them twice, but they have a 10-point gap (at the moment) to make up, and if their new squad doesn’t settle as well as Roman Abramovich is hoping, Manchester United's Alex Ferguson could effectively wrap up a record 19th title by March.