REPORT: Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle United - Four-midable Gunners Blow Magpies Away

 

Arsenal continued their fine run of league form with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium. 

An own goal by Sven Botman and a Kai Havertz goal set The Gunners on their way in the first half, before Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior added gloss to the score line in the second. Joe Willock scored a late consolation for the visitors. 

The result sees Arsenal maintain pace at the top of the table with title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. 

Electric Emirates

Arsenal came flying out of the traps and looked keen to avenge their 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture back in November. Backed by the 'wall of noise' that Martin Odegaard and Mikel Arteta had requested before kick off, the hosts passing was quick and precise. 

Saka and Declan Rice were both denied early on by Newcastle goalkeeper Loris Karius, but it felt a matter of time before Arsenal took the lead. Just 17 minutes in, they got the reward that their play deserved.

Saka took a corner from the right side for Gabriel to head goalward. Karius clawed the header away, but a scramble in the six-yard box saw Botman inadvertently nudge the ball over the line. Just the start Arsenal wanted. 

The noise level inside the ground trebled, and it soon got even better for Arsenal. The outstanding Jorginho collected the ball midway into the Newcastle half, and lofted a delightful pass to Gabriel Martinelli. His touch was sure, before cutting the ball back to Havertz to tap home. 

Arsenal looked like scoring whenever they got the ball, and Newcastle couldn't get out of their own half, such was the intensity of the home sides press.

Shortly after it was nearly three. Some delightful play on the right between Odegaard and Saka saw the latter cross for Martinelli, who headed over. 

Game Over

As the second half commenced, Havertz should have sealed the three points, but his effort when one-on-one with Karius drifted wide. 

Newcastle briefly threatened, when Anthony Gordon had a shot comfortably saved by David Raya. Alexander Isak then hit a shot over the bar after some smart play on the left-hand side. Any optimism that they had though was soon extinguished. 

Arsenal intercepted the ball in the middle third of the pitch and worked the ball over to the right-hand side to Saka. The winger turned Tino Livramento inside out before rifling a shot into the far corner to make absolutely sure of the points.

Four minutes later and it was four, yet again coming from a set piece. Delcan Rice floated a corner into the near post where Kiwior was on hand to nod home via a deflection. 4-0 and a fair reflection of the dominance that Arsenal had exerted. 

Both Arsenal and Newcastle made a raft of changes that disrupted the flow of the game, allowing Newcastle with an opportunity to grab a late consolation. Dan Burn found space on the left and hit a cross into the box, where Willock stooped to head into the far corner. 

Upcoming Rest

Arsenal have now scored 25 goals in their last six games and now have the best goal difference in the league. They have a nine-day break before they travel to Sheffield United, where they will be looking to extend their winning run to seven matches.