Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal: Routine win for Arteta's men

Arsenal returned to winning ways as goals from Mohamed Elneny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday. 

The Gunners had picked up just one point from their previous two Premier League games against Everton and Fulham before they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. 

However, they sealed all three points at St James' Park thanks to Elneny's early goal and Aubameyang's second-half finish, the fifth consecutive game in which the Gabon international has scored against the Magpies. 

The result lifted Arsenal up to ninth, while Newcastle finished with 10 men after substitute Fabian Schar's rash lunge on Gabriel Martinelli.

Steve Bruce's side remain 17th, nine points clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining.

Arsenal wasted little time stamping their authority on the game, opening the scoring after just five minutes through Elneny's first Premier League goal in his 66th appearance in the competition.

Aubameyang horribly miss-kicked Hector Bellerin's right-wing cross but the ball fell fortuitously to Elneny, who struck a half-volley past Martin Dubravka from 18 yards.

Mat Ryan – one of nine changes from the defeat to Villarreal – tipped over Allan Saint-Maximin's deflected effort soon after, while Dubravka pawed away Granit Xhaka's long-range drive at the other end.

Miguel Almiron denied Elneny a second shortly before the half-hour, clearing the Egyptian's header from a corner off the line.

Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 66th minute when Aubameyang showed superb athleticism to volley home Martinelli's left-wing cross inside the six-yard box. 

Any faint hopes the hosts had of setting up a grandstand finale were dashed in the 90th minute when Schar saw red, as Bruce's men fell to just a second defeat in their past nine Premier League games.

What does it mean? Arsenal swat aside tepid hosts

Arteta's much-changed side were good value for a seventh consecutive win over Newcastle in all competitions.

They had 13 shots in the first half alone – their most in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game since February 2018 against Everton (13) – with Willian the only outfield player not to attempt one.

Aubameyang made sure of victory in the second half as Arteta's men stretched their unbeaten away run in the league to five games.

Aubameyang shines for Gunners

Aubameyang was at the heart of everything good about Arsenal's display and registered a goal and an assist in a Premier League game for the first time since July 2020 against Watford.

His goal also meant he became the first Arsenal player to score in five consecutive appearances against an opponent since Olivier Giroud versus Aston Villa (six between 2013-2016).

Dismal cameo from Schar

Schar endured an appearance to forget after being introduced with 18 minutes remaining. He won just one of his four duels and became the first Newcastle substitute to be sent off in a Premier League game since Isaac Hayden in August 2018 against Cardiff City.

Key Opta facts
- Newcastle have lost 16 of their past 17 Premier League matches against Arsenal, including each of the most recent six in a row since beating them at home in April 2018 under Rafael Benítez.
- Arsenal have won 12 Premier League matches at St. James’ Park (P26 W12 D8 L6) – their joint-most at any away venue in the competition (also 12 at Villa Park and Goodison Park).
- This was Bruce’s 31st match against Arsenal as a manager in all competitions, with his teams earning only two wins, drawing six times and losing on 23 occasions. The Newcastle boss has lost more games against Arsenal (23) than he has any other opponent in his managerial career.
- Elneny scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal in his 66th appearance for them in the competition, with what was his 49th shot. Of the 129 players to score for Arsenal in the Premier League, only five have had to wait longer for their first goal - Gael Clichy (110th appearance), Lee Dixon (95th), Tony Adams (76th), John Jensen (72nd) and Emmanuel Eboue (71st).

What's next?

Arsenal host Villarreal in the second leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday, before a Premier League clash with West Brom on Sunday. Newcastle, meanwhile, are away to Leicester City on Friday.