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Arsenal’s hopes of returning to the Champions League were all but extinguished on Monday at St. James’ Park. Tottenham fans can thank the toothless Callum Wilson for his heroics.
In his first start of 2022, Newcastle striker Callum Wilson had a tooth knocked loose in the first half, gruesomely caught on camera.
Content warning: The images below show Callum Wilson’s tooth flopping loose from his gums. It’s not pretty.
OUCH
Newcastle vs. Arsenal has definitely left its mark on Callum Wilson pic.twitter.com/A6sHK3JWJ8— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) May 16, 2022
Props to Callum Wilson. About to lose his front tooth but hurries straight back onto the pitch to try & get on the end of a few crosses. Now there’s a leader… #NUFC pic.twitter.com/85Hkj3hz3Z
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) May 16, 2022
Ow.
Instead of heading to the dentist like a normal person, Wilson quickly went back onto the pitch, where he was involved in the own goal that led Newcastle to a 2-0 win over Arsenal on Monday.
1-0 Newcastle United!
They take the lead with an own goal by Ben White. #NEWARS@USA_Network pic.twitter.com/ynBKrElh3B
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 16, 2022
Initially credited as a goal by Wilson, the last touch came from Arsenal defender Ben White.
Wilson battled until he was taken out in the 94th minute. He was in the middle of the action for Newcastle’s second as well.
Ben White’s initial save is not enough as Bruno Guimaraes scores the goal to extend the Newcastle United lead! #NEWARS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 16, 2022
The defeat left Arsenal two points behind rival Tottenham for the final Champions League berth with one game to play. (The result also clinched UCL football for Chelsea.)
The Gunners can only blame themselves, as they were outplayed all night and never looked likely to win. The midfield duo of Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny were bossed by Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton.
Arsenal fans can also blame the club for not having done more to reinforce the squad. Arsenal has had a few untimely injuries — including season-ending blows to Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey — but the squad was always light and far too reliant on youth. The youngest team in the league allowed its best player and captain (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) to leave for free in January without making a single signing during that window.
The final day of the season sees Arsenal host relegation-threatened Everton and Spurs visit already relegated Norwich. For the Gunners to reach the top four, they need to beat Everton and hope Spurs loses to a team with nothing to play for. Otherwise, Arsenal will be in the Europa League next season.
As for Newcastle, Eddie Howe’s charges were playing like they were the team fighting for a spot in next season’s Champions League. With a few more signings, the Magpies could be in top four contention this time next year, having surged up to mid table after fighting relegation earlier in the season.
