Arsenal 'strangled by fear' - but Eze offers X-Factor

Jamie Redknapp praised Eberechi Eze for his match-winning contribution against Newcastle but said Arsenal looked "strangled by fear" in the edgy victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal went back above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League thanks to Eze's superb ninth-minute strike from outside the box following a well-worked short corner routine.

But the Gunners struggled for long periods of the game after that, losing Kai Havertz to an injury in the first half before Eze had to be withdrawn early in the second.

Eze said his exit was just precautionary while Arteta played down the severity of both issues in his post-match press conference as Arsenal celebrated a narrow victory which could have turned out differently if not for a glaring miss by Newcastle's Yoane Wissa.

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Arsenal's sloppy performance made for a nervy atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium. Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp felt the home side were impacted by the pressure of the title race.

He said: "You can tell yourself all you like that pressure is a privilege. 'We are giving ourselves such an opportunity...'

"But actually, when you're out there, sometimes fear can strangle you. It can take over you, and all the simple things that normally you just do, because you've done it since you were 10, 11 years or age, you find it so difficult. That's what's happening with Arsenal right now.

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"Individual mistakes, all the players maybe not having that final pass. And it just suffocates you. It stops you being the player that you are.

"And that's why it was so important today that there was one outstanding moment of real quality by Eze. That was the real difference, an absolutely incredible moment."

Eze's goal was his seventh of the season in the Premier League and may turn out to be his most important as the Gunners continue to vie with Manchester City for the title.

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Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports after his side defeated Newcastle to move back to the top of the Premier League

"It was exactly what they needed," added Redknapp. "And then you know you've got the back four to just hang onto that lead and a fantastic goalkeeper.

"A massive three points. If they hadn't won today, you just couldn't see a way back for them.

"But right now they've given themselves a great chance that they can build on this now and get back to that winning run - because I think they're going to have to go perfect at the end of the season."

Paul Merson was similarly impressed by Eze's contribution. "Well, that's what they bought him for," he said on Sky Sports. "They bought Eze for that magic. He's got the magic.

"He's very exciting, he plays with a lot of freedom. Not many people score that goal.

"He's the X-factor. You need to get the X-factors on the pitch and they're the ones who make the difference.

"He's paid back everything in one game."

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