Newcastle’s Dan Burn refuses to criticise Arsenal’s ‘stifling’ tactics

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Newcastle defender Dan Burn had no complaints over Arsenal’s streetwise tactics after a tooth-and-nail Premier League battle at St James’ Park. “When a team like Arsenal is coming here and doing that, it’s a compliment.” Newcastle set off with high hopes of repeating their 2-0 home win over the Gunners last season and might have been on their way in front of an expectant home crowd had Jacob Murphy’s early shot not come back off a post or had referee Chris Kavanagh not been advised to review his decision to award a penalty for handball against Jakub Kiwior. We’re disappointed, but we’ve got four games to go and it’s still in our hands Newcastle defender Dan Burn Burn said: “We knew it wasn’t going to be the same as last season, where we played them off the park. We’re just unfortunate we couldn’t get the win.” Manchester United’s defeat at West Ham means Newcastle remain two points clear in third place with four games remaining, although with Liverpool and Brighton making concerted bids to reel them in.